Tractorpoint Login

print < Tractorpoint Login

Tractorpoint

Forums
- Search
- Forums
- New Posts
- Photos
- Manuals/Links
Parts
Support
Account

Search for = szypulsk

Topic

Hello all!<br>
<br>
I own an old but small Sears Suburban yard tractor made in 1968 by Roper, but I joined this forum because I now have access to a John Deere 970 tractor with 80 loader and 8A backhoe. It also has power steering and MFWD.<br>
<br>
The JD belongs to my neighbor. Her husband, who I knew for over 20 years, died of cancer about four years ago at the age of 59. He loved his 970, and even helped me on my property back in 1991, when he bought it new. I finally worked up the nerve to ask his wife if I could rent it last year. I was building my new workshop (40'x36') and wanted to do a lot of cleanup landscaping. She said I couldn't rent it, but I could use it whenever I wanted for free! What a sweet person! One of the main reasons her husband bought the tractor back in 1991 was to maintain their 1/4 mile long gravel driveway. Now that's my job, as thanks for letting me use the tractor. I'm also doing all the maintenance I can to it.<br>
<br>
Anyway, it was fully serviced by JD in 2005, but I've put about 20 hours on it since August, and I decided to perform more maintenance. I have about 40 years experience working on cars, and I'm an engineer, so I'm not timid about doing mechanical work. So far I've...<br>
* Straightened out the front grille screen and repainted it JD green.<br>
* Replaced the backhoe seat<br>
* Found and repaired a hydraulic pump leak<br>
* Greased the 38 or so zerk fittings on the tractor and accys<br>
* Oiled everything listed in the owner's manual<br>
* Checked the air filter<br>
* Checked the coolant<br>
* Tightened the fan belt<br>
* Cleaned the hell out of it with my pressure washer<br>
* Set tire pressure<br>
* Bought JD owners manuals for the 970, 80 and 8A<br>
* Purchased JD oil filters and 15W40 CJ rated oil - oil change this weekend<br>
* Obtained past service history from her files, and started a new Excel spreadsheet of all the service I do to it<br>
* Bought a tarp and bungies to cover it when it's not being used (last year)<br>
* Replaced tooth on bucket and bought spare<br>
* Bent back cylinder rod protectors on backhoe stabilzers<br>
<br>
About 50 hours of use ago she had the JD dealer do a full service, which included changing the hydraulic fluid and filter and cleaning the screen. He also did much of the service I've repeated above, and also replaced fuel filters, checked the MFWD oil levels, and some other work.<br>
<br>
Anyway, do you guys recommend anything else I may have missed? I'll be returning it to her driveway in the next two weeks and I want to make sure it over-winters well and is ready for more work next year.<br>
<br>
I just LOVE using it, and I'm getting better and better at using the backhoe. I found and extended my water well cap above grade this year. The 970 was great as I dug around looking for the well head, buried four feet below grade. I managed to find it and dig it out for the service work without damaging it!<br>
<br>
Ted<br>
<br>
PS - the tractor was made in 1991 and has only 519 hours on it.

New member Ted from Connecticut
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by szypulsk