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Last year I was asking about chains for my 4WD 5245 Zetor. I bought ice studded chains from tirechains.com They were about &750 for all four corners....but worth every penny. I have a 1000' driveway, steep, and without chains I could not drive up parts of it without sliding backwards...scarey indeed. The other night I spent 6 hours cleaning out over 2 feet of snow...the steep slopes are very slippery...I can't walk down them without landing on my butt...but never had any problems with the tractor. She's about 4.5 tons with the loader and backblade...and I'd buy those chains again in a heartbeat. And I'd never go out on the driveway in the winter without them. period. Threw away too many pairs of underwear last year!

Chains
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 9 Post by Bruce Pirger

Hi Glenn: I installed a new Lopi Liberty in my new house this fall as well. Like you, I have about 25' of chimney, the bottom 7' or so uninsulated single wall. My wood is somewhat wet, dropped over a year ago but blocked and split just this past fall. I have more soot accumulating on my glass door than I like and I am surprised with the amount of creosote I seem to have accumulating in my chimney. Since I am not yet living in the house, I pull the draft all the way out (closed) on the Liberty at night....and it burns slowly and cool...the stack temperature on the uninsulated stovepipe about 4' over the stove reads about 250 or so...cool. When I first burned, I had considerable oder from the stove and the pipe...but it is now gone for me.

I do think the trick is dry wood. I try to burn the stove as hot as I can when I am around...hopefully will clean out the chimney that way.

The wood shed is a priority for me to build this spring...and to force myself to order about 5 cords of split wood to season this summer/fall...even though I live on 44 acres of woods! There's only so much time...and I have to finish the house before I play with the firewood!

Woodburning Stoves
Home Improvement
Replies 39 Post by Bruce Pirger

Yes, after posting I thought I should have commented on the dangers/safety precautions. My Zetor is some 9000 pounds or so and I have a 650 pound back blade out on the 3PT.

I have read the thread by (was it Mark??) about his 4100's rearend being tipped off the ground BY HAND with just empty forks mounted on the bucket...let alone with any load. WOW.

And regarding my manlift, I first tested the lift extensively, built it like a tank, strapped it to the loader, and never carried a man in it when raising or lowering (just my wife! LOL (NO, I DIDN'T)) Once it was up against the building, we'd either step out a window/door onto it or climb up with a ladder.

Interesting note: I could position the platform about an inch or so from the wall. Then when I lowered the 3PT hitch, the machine would "lean" forward that inch and come to "rest" against the wall. It couldn't have been much stiffer. Resting against lath pieces holding down the tyvek...so almost ideal.

Obviously one must assess their equipment, its reliability, and overall suitability to doing such things. If your spool valves leak or you have any hydraulic uncertainties, clearly this would be dangerous. We'd have the platform set up for maybe 30 minutes...and I was constantly checking to see if it had dropped any. I would never consider allowing anyone else to move the tractor, nor would I move with someone in the lift.

Slip-On Pallet Forks
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by Bruce Pirger

Holy Cats George...get a splitter! I like to swing the 20 pound maul for awhile, especially on the small blocks that split with a single stroke....

Personally, I run a little 5HP standalone. Haven't met anything I can't split yet. It groans a little sometimes on some big knarly red oak crotches, but they just pop. I would not want to be running my tractor all the while to split, and as many have said, the hydraulics can be a little slow....

I have built a little frame around my splitter and can easily lift it up and move it around my pallet forks on my bucket. The forks are wonderful...a new thread coming on those.

So, for me, a stand alone.

3 Pt Splitter or stand alone
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by Bruce Pirger

Cutter: Did you sell your curtis plow? Were you happy with it, the little you used it?

Curtis Snow Plow
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 3 Post by Bruce Pirger

Well, I have ordered a pair of clamp on forks. I need them for other projects...and I might just try to move the wood around as you suggested murf. We shall see. Turns out blue line manufacturing out in Moxee, Washington fabricates these clamp on's for many people, including gearmore I believe.

So, here's another question....Just how stupid is it to use a FEL as a man-lift? I have these windows to install on the second floor. The thought involves building a very sturdy "cage" with side rails and all...then raise it with the loader (and me and a window inside). I can drop the loader safety arms and even place a pole underneath for additional safety...in the event of hydraulic blowout or something.

I'm sure this is one of those stupid things you should never do that happens probably frequently...

Pallet Forks Slip on
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 15 Post by Bruce Pirger

Greetings All: I have been away for some time. Has anyone heard from Roger Loving? Used to be one of the most prolific posters...but I have not seen him in some time. Tried to email....but no response.

Thanks for any help.

RogerL has anyone heard from Roger
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 2 Post by Bruce Pirger

Just to complete the story...I have 44 acres of woods up on top of the hill...out in the sticks. The neighbor was a fellow from Texas (I'm in New York State)...NYSEG claimed to have tried to call him, send him mail, etc. 3 months of trying...no contact. I got his number and called him, he called me back, and 2 weeks later all was done. I'd think NYSEG would have just put the line over his property, as it was along the roadway, although maybe 40' in. He has 65 acres or so...and I have never seen him. No problems to do it the safe way.

My 1000' service is buried. 850' of primary buried in 4" conduit. I had my excavator dig the trench with his backhoe...through the woods...down the bank...it was quite a site. 13 hours later, some $650, he was done. I laid the 4" out next to the trench. We pulled the cable (this is big stuff, two 1" pieces) through the conduit as we built it, one piece at a time. It took us 3 hours to have it completely down. Yep, we were all amazed. At the end, we were pulling 800' of cable through the conduit, downhill, with our bare hands (two of us). We did lube the cable as we fed it in. I was VERY worried about this whole project but it worked great. All said and done, transformer vault, conduit, triplex to the house, meter, disconnect, trenching, and backfill was about $4500. I didn't want overhead...didn;t want to see it or worry about trees falling on it. As it turns out, if I did go overhead, a 80' white pine would have fallen across the lines this past Friday night during a nasty wind storm...I had to cut through it as it fell across my driveway. I did think of that burried line with smiles. Of course, if it ever fails the grin will change. But, since I am in 4" conduit, I can easily pull in another line as I remove the old...not too bad of a job.

Features to look for in stand alone generator
Shop Tools
Replies 32 Post by Bruce Pirger

Studded duo-grips are indeed chains. I bought these from www.tirechains.com They are the "v-bar duo-grips" they list. They are not cheap, but they do seem to work well on my ice. I have only limited experience...and will post more as it arrives. I paid $750 for all 4 tires (9.5-24 and 16.9-28), but, this way I will not need to replace underwear everytime I slide on the ice! Bruce

Studded Duo-grips work great
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 8 Post by Bruce Pirger

Hi All: Well, the chains arrived! At least the fronts...rears today. I plowed a bit of the drive with the fronts only...and had no problems were I couldn't climb up the hill previously. So, with the rears to come, I hope I am in good shape. When I have more experience on more ice, I will let you all know what I find.

Thanks again! Bruce

PS---> By the way, my experience with tirechains.com was wonderful...arrived right on time, answered a few question via their 800 number...couldn't be better customer service. (Well, maybe they could come out and install them for me!)

Chains on Ice
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 19 Post by Bruce Pirger

I ran 800' of primary wire underground in conduit. We dug an 800' ditch through the woods, down a big bank (I'd never drive my tractor down that...). Dug the ditch in about 10 hours or so. Then we built the 4" conduit one piece at a time and pulled, BY HAND, the two primary cables through the conduit. Worked slicker than snot actually. Me and one other fellow could easily pull the two cables through the conduit, even 800' of it. Only took us about 3 hours to build the conduit and pull the cable. I was MOST pleased. If anyone ever worries about it, as I did, don't. No big deal. The trick of course was to pay the extra few dollars for 4" instead of 3" (each cable was 1"). And we lubed the cable as it went in. It was harder for me to install the 200Amp triplex in 2" for 165' then it was to pull the primary cables in.

As far as voltage drop between 50' and 165', I wouldn't be too concerned. As far as paying extra for lost power, I wouldn't worry.

Of course, I have been waiting for over two months now for NYSEG to come hook me up so I can start paying...been runnning the little generator for all the tools. Argh.

Good luck!

how is the barn going Cutter
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 18 Post by Bruce Pirger

So happy to hear of no injuries. I live on 44 wooded acres up on top of a hill...1000' steep driveway through the woods. I have a 4WD Zetor 5245 (ag tractor) that weighs about 8500 pounds with the Allied front end loader. Anyways, not much is as scary to me as the thought of sliding down the driveway on ice. Chains will be arriving soon.

So, on a more humourous note, and something I always figured will happen to me after I do slide...Did you and your wife clean your underpants yet??

Tractor Roll Over
Tractor Projects
Replies 27 Post by Bruce Pirger

Hi Greg: I'm the proud owner of a 5245 with Allied 594 loader. I bought mine in Spring of 2000 with 1120 hours...paid $6500. I think it was a steal. Great shape, great rubber, runs/starts great, no leaks, strong, heavy, etc. I almost passed out when looking at the compact prices. Plus I don't ever plan to mow my lawn with the machine (now that would look odd), but rather maintain/build my 1000' steep driveway through the woods, build a house, etc. Local dealers close to me. Very pleased with my Zetor. What do you want to do with it?

Zetor 4wd tractor
Tractor Projects
Replies 4 Post by Bruce Pirger

Let me follow up a bit. I'm planning to build on the site this Spring and I spent this winter checking accessability. I kept the tractor at home, about 3.5 miles away, so I didn't use the backblade with every few inches. I would drive right over/through them though with the 4WD truck. (2WD will not make it). So, the snow became pretty well packed and turned to ice. In the NorthEast, unlike the west as far as I know, when the snow comes, it tends to stay and turn to ice, as opposed to melting away in the following week of sunshine. I did plow once in early January after receiving about 18" over a few days...no troubles. But this past Nor'Easter that dropped 26" on top of all my icey snowpack...well, without chains, I can't move it very well. It is now melting. But it certainly sounds like chains will make a tremendous difference, and the trick is to put them across the lugs (X pattern, box, diamond, etc.) so they don't fall down into the lugs. I don't think I will have the ice build-up so badly when I live there...as I will move the snow when it falls significantly. Thanks all for your comments! Roger, I'm a little disappointed you don't forge your own steel to make your chains...;) And I will certainly keep the baleing wire trick in mind.

What to expect from chains
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 10 Post by Bruce Pirger

How about this: Print out all the replies from this thread and hand it to your wife. Will she appreciate both the humor and the serious sentiments? If you live out in the bush in MI, as you indicated, I think that already says something extremely positive about your wife. So, as others have said, sharing the work together or being able to accomplish things together would be a great and fun thing. Sounds like your driveway is a bear, similar to mine, and I'm not sure how you have managed to date without the tractor. If it is a financial strain, consider strongly a used tractor. If you already find yourself looking for reasons to stay away from home, or out of the house, and this is just another, be careful...And in case she does actually read this, Greetings Mrs. H. Consider together what you could accomplish around the property...be open and honest. With your driveway, I guess I'm curious how you have managed winter access in the past!

Wife vs Tractor
New Holland Tractors
Replies 31 Post by Bruce Pirger

Useless message...but I will never forget the Sunday evening when I completed my 24th hand-dug 4' deep post hole...JUST IN TIME for the farmer down the road to happen by with his big tractor and auger and ask me if I needed a hand...Argh!

790 Post hole digger
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Bruce Pirger

I am interested in finding a fork lift attachment that mounts to both my 3PT and my loader. I see WorkSaver has something like this...Handles up to 3-4000 lbs. I've decided that moving firewood 15 times before placing it in the stove is too much...and I'd like to move wood around (a pallet at a time) with the lift. Blocked onto the pallet, off to split but right back on a different pallet...then from pallet to the stove! My Dad always laughs at me...says every log heats me up over a dozen times!

making a 3 point carryall fork need help
Operating and Attachments
Replies 23 Post by Bruce Pirger

Hi Tom:

I asked a similar question not too awfully long ago to this same group...and let me say, I am very glad that I payed a local fellow to cut in my 1000' through-the-woods roadway. He will be returning this spring to dig my 1000' electic line trench, footer trenches, etc. If I tried to do the work myself, I would STILL be working on the road. Not only are the smaller machines slower...the skill of the operator makes all the difference. I had never been on a tractor before...and while I like to think I learn quickly and have become somewhat proficient, I still watch experienced operators with a big smile. It was so nice to walk through the woods and say "Well, I kinda thought I'd cut the road in over here like this...and start a turn here like that..." 13 hours (and $650) later, his "small" JD 350 dozer had the roadway cut in. And that includes removing about 100 stumps...albeit mostly 8-10" oak/maple. Installed 5 sluice pipes for drainage with his TLB and then trucked in 40 loads of "creek gravel" for a road base.

I'd recommend leaving all the "heavy" work to the larger machines, unless you truly have a lot of time on your hands. Yes, it does sound sacriligious. I thought so as well. Sounds like you might still need the 850 for road maintainence, snow removal, and other building related work.

Yep, I'd still be pulling stumps! :)

Choices TLB Rental or Purchase 1986 JD850 w JD75 loader blower bkblade
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by Bruce Pirger

If you use google.com to search on radiant floor heating you will find tons of info about it. I plan to place tubing in my floors. Far as I can tell, the nicest way to heat any building. I know they (inspectors) gave my brother some trouble about his drains...and he had to build an oil/grease trap. We are in New York state.

Glad to hear Roger suggested the "pit". My father dug one of these be hand in his existing garage...and it is wonderful. To build one from the get-go...now that would be sweet. Maybe an outlet in the pit?

Bruce

New barn
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 57 Post by Bruce Pirger

I am the owner of a Zetor 5245 (4WD) with Allied 594 loader. The machine is an '84 with 1150 hours on it...I payed $6500. It weighs somewhere around 8000 pounds...and while I have only had it since the spring, I could not be happier. I certainly will never put a belly mount mower on it to try and mow faster than the neighbors (I don't have any anyways) :) but I CAN NOT WAIT until we get our first major snowfall in the Fingerlakes region of New York (supposed to get 7-12" tonight!). I have a Zetor dealer less than 1 hour from my house, 12 in New York State, not to mention the major Zetor USA business 3 hours away in Harrisburg, PA. The local dealer is both a nice guy and has a great mechanic.

Zetor's are painted green and yellow and sold overseas as JD's. I have read JD tried to buy them actually...not sure about that though.

In any event, while Century may not be Zetor, I would not hesitate to buy a Zetor because it is a Zetor...least not here in the North East.

For $6500, I have a machine that I can use on 44 wooded acres for just about anthing (besides mowing!).

Just had to vent a bit against the Zetor slamming. So Roger, did you ever build an extra seat for that sidecar?? I bet you did. :) Happy Holidays to all

CENTURY TRACTORS ZETOR
Other Tractor Brands
Replies 8 Post by Bruce Pirger