Tractorpoint Search for

tractorpoint.com - The leader in Tractors from Compacts, to Utility, to Full Size Tractors! Kubota, John Deere, New Holland, Kioti, Case/IH, and Others. Keywords=Compact Tractor, Kubota Tractors, Kioti Tractors, JD, John Deere Tractors, New Holland, Case Boomer, Used Tractors, Classifieds, Dealer Directory, Tractor Pictures / Images

parts | discussion | photos | podcast | reviews | specs | dealers | classifieds | contact | faq | myProfile | home Login Now | Sign Up

Search for =

Topic

Nikker, one thing you didn't mention is whether you're leaning toward hydro or gear transmission. IMO you should consider a hydro--it greatly simplifies running the tractor, letting you concentrate on safe driving and use of the implements. I think you'll find most users of this board who have used both hydro and gear prefer the hydro. Either way, I know you love it. JonB

Green vs Orange
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by JonB

Art, I'm also caught up in the name confusion, having heard York type rakes called York, rock, and landscape. Mine is a landscape rake, made by Landpride so I couldn't call it a York. "Rock" is easier to type and say than "landscape" so I simply called a rock rake--and that's pretty desciptive of my uses. But after looking the powered rakes over carefully, I probably just called mine a rock rake hoping it would turn into one. :-) JonB

Tips on Rock Rakes
Operating and Attachments
Replies 12 Post by JonB

Gil, I think Bird said it exactly right. No one can say which machine is the best for you without knowing what you want the machine to do, and what you might want for in the future. The BX is probably the most stable having the lowest center of gravity. But I love my 4100 and need the higher ground clearance at times. But I've never heard anyone say, not even those who didn't like their BX, that the BX is delicate. Everything I've ever heard is the BX is a STRONG little tractor. Best of luck. JonB

BX2200 Front End
Tractor Projects
Replies 8 Post by JonB

I've expanded my garden plot, and figure that creating furrows by hand will be work ... too much work. And furrows seems to help with irrigation and aeration. I'm too new to tractoring to know for sure, but it seems the moldboard plow is the way to furrow? So, do you furrow? Is there an easier way than using the moldboard? Thanks in advance. JonB

Do you furrow
Parts and Repair
Replies 3 Post by JonB

Well, I finally made it to Home Depot to look for polypipe. I found out I already use it in a small vineyard. It isn't labeled polypipe but the salesperson confirmed it was polypipe, after giving me a "I have no idea what you're talking about" look. He then realized we were standing by it. This is the stuff I'll be running off the PCV pipe. They didn't have "big" polypipe, each one was about the size of a small finger--it looked like four of the largest ones would fit inside the PCV pipe. The irrigation supply store also did not have larger polypipe. But it is good stuff and has worked great for grapes. When completed I'll probably have 1300 to 1500 feet of polypipe running off the PCV, so hopefully the PCV was a good starting point. Since I'd already bought and cut the PCV, I couldn't return it anyway. Thanks for your help and suggestions. I particularly liked the idea of putting drainage pipe around the pipe, especially in more sensitive or critical areas. And I'll be aiming for 8" down. JonB

How deep irrigation lines
Garden and Landscape
Replies 12 Post by JonB

I thinking about building a composting bin for my orchard, one I can turn over occassionally with the FEL. The basic design in my head is a box having three fixed sides, a removable top and a removable front side that allows the FEL to slide in for a load. Has anyone else tried this or do you see a problem with this? Would it be better to just throw everything in a pile? Thanks in advance for your help. JonB

Composting with a tractor
Parts and Repair
Replies 8 Post by JonB

I've enjoyed reading this thread, and although I love my JD 4100 I have lots of respect for the BX. That said, there are times I wish I had a bigger machine. Last week I had to soak the ground when pulling one stake ... the loader's lift and machine weight weren't enough. I've also had all four tires spinning when furrowing, using R1 tires. The 4100 handled these things, but I had to slow down, take smaller bites, and soak the stake. The larger tractors have more disadvantages for me so I'm happy with mine. I can't stay if the BX would have been better or worse for me--I know I won't be entering a tractor pull contest(LOL). I'll just enjoy using mine and reading about yours. Best of luck. JonB

Kubota BX2200
Kubota Tractors
Replies 22 Post by JonB

Don, Bird's description is good. The box is a multi-purpose implement that will do the job of many different ones. I use one to spread and level a gravel road & parking area, scarifiers to rip ground too tough for the blade to simply level, then use the blade to level. It was real helpful in removing mounds of dirt in my orchard, leveling the dirt into low areas. The blade can cut forward or backward, or used to press the dirt down (with the blade up and sliding over the dirt). I'll be using it in a few weeks to help level and settle the ground over new irrigation lines (of course I'll be using the loader too for this). It can cut a road or clean one up. I've used the scarifiers to begin breaking up ground to start a new garden (when the ground was too tough for a middle buster or furrow). It's also good ballast. Best of luck. JonB

What does a box blade do
Operating and Attachments
Replies 10 Post by JonB

Tom, I use a post hole digger with my JD 4100, 20 HP, 16 PTO. It works great with moist soil, but doesn't work well with my dry (concrete) clay. It won't scratch hard pan. Simply put, the 4100 is too light to tear up really hard soil. It work great, as long as I use it at the right time. Best of luck. JonB

3 pt posthole digger
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by JonB

Don, one advantage to the big three is the availability of more dealers. I loved my JD dealer, but he closed shop. But I had a choice of 5 more dealers, all within an hour, and my choice filled the gap with even better service (parts was never a question). I don't think I'd have had the same result with Yanmar, or even Cub (in my neck of the woods). Compacts are definitely expensive, but then they perform beyond expectations in most cases. Best of luck. JonB

Help Victim of JD Stick Shock
Yanmar Tractors
Replies 22 Post by JonB

This one got me thinking, so I pulled the manual out. It says, "IMPORTANT: To prevent damage to differential, do not engage differential lock at high speeds." It then says, "stop or slow tractor down" to engage differential lock. So, it sounds like the safest method is to stop, engage the diffreential lock and keep your foot on it. Then use the gas, and move your foot off the differential lock. The lock will release itself when normal traction has returned. It sound similar to using the 4WD except than I disengage the 4WD manually. JonB

Differential lock on JD 4400 hydro
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by JonB

Just a follow up, I tilled about 1/4 acre this evening, paying special attention to how the tractor handled. Although the tines should push the tractor forward, based on rotation, I couldn't feel it at all. Uphill nad downhill was the same. (the slope is very small). Never once did it feel unstable. Breaking the ground up first with a middle buster seems to take the bite out of the ground. Of course the rocks were another matter. Now where's my rake? Thanks for your advice. JonB

Ballast for tilling
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by JonB

Robert, I don't just have rocky ground, I grow rocks. This last week I ordered a Landpride rake based on reputation and discussions like this one. I compared the weight of different brands. The Howse and other fine brands were lighter than the Landpride. I figured more weight meant more steel and durability. I think you'll find the less expensive models are generally lighter. Try to borrow or rent any rake, and try it out. That should give you an idea of whether you need a lighter or heavier model. Best of luck. JonB

landscape rakes
Kubota Tractors
Replies 11 Post by JonB

Terry, oops. You caught me. I confess. I'm actually a plant looking for volunteers, "Men who love tractors, and the wives who drive them." LOL. Who has time for Orpah? Especially when there's a tractor to drive? :->

Wife vs Tractor
New Holland Tractors
Replies 31 Post by JonB

Rob, I've a 4100 (16HP PTO) a Bug Hog auger with hydraulic down pressure. I've been able to get down four feet, but never consistently. The most important factors seems to be (1) weight or down pressure put on the auger, and (2) soil condition. The 4100 is too light to ever go through my hard pan, or my regular soil when it gets dry and hard (concrete clay). It does fine when the soil is moist. If you have hard stuff, you need a much heavier machine than I have ... and Bird is right, if soil builds up on the drill, I have to manually assist in raising it out of the hole. I still love it. Best of luck. JonB

790 Post hole digger
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by JonB

I've never used a mid-mount mower and I'm not clear what an "open center valve" is. Where is the control located when you add the rear hydraulics kit option? If I'm understanding this right, it might be a perfect control for a telescoping top link on the 3PH?

on 4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 10 Post by JonB

Alan, Jeff is correct about priorities. Most of my coworkers take expensive vacations every year while we economize. They dine out frequently, while my wife cooks virtually all our meals. And my coworkers tell me they wish they could afford to live in the country like we do (and they envy my wife's cooking too). But the main reason I bought a tractor was to save time. Chores that used to take days now take minutes or an hour. Many jobs were impossible before I got a tractor, and now they're just a few hours work. With the tractor I spend more time with the kids and wife. And more time off the tractor doing the jobs I never had time to do. The tractor is absolutely my favorite tool and the most fun too. And this summer, we're staying in a first-class hotel on the beach in San Diego. But only because I finangled it for free. As for your situation, I can't imagine trying to "maintain" 10 acres without a tractor. The odds are it will be untended or someone will have little free time. Just my opinion. Best of luck. JonB

what brand and size of compact tractor
Operating and Attachments
Replies 11 Post by JonB

Craig, all prior posts are right on. After test driving gear and HST, I decided a 4100 HST was easier and safer for me. I'll probably never qualify as an expert even though I bought it to last for life. Eliminating gear shifting just made operating less complex for this part-time farmer. I also decided the lighter machine fit my sometimes muddy 2 acres better--I had a rented Bobcat stuck in my mud twice before buying the Deere. I also read, visited dealers, and researched for months. Eventually you decide what fits you best. Best of luck. JonB

JD790 vs JD4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 27 Post by JonB

David G, my dealer said he sold Bush Hog brand rotary mowers with the JD 4100, although I bought a 3PH flail mower/shredder instead. It weighs about 650 lbs and mows, cuts and shreds weeds and branches easily--so I can't see why a 4100 couldn't handle a rotary mower. Best of luck.

4100 and ground engaging devices
John Deere Tractors
Replies 18 Post by JonB

Bobc, sometimes my 4100 shifter seems stuck too. I just lightly press the HST right foot pedal about 1/2 an inch, more or less, and release. This starts something moving and the shifter drops into place easily, whether hi or lo. There is no lurch as I'm careful not to have just barely pushed the foot pedal and I never do this with the engine roaring. Since the HST supposedly does not have gears, this shouldn't be helping "gears" to mesh, but that's what I picture in my mind. It reminds me of shifting my VW bug into first gear 20 years ago. Hope this helps. Best of luck. JonB

4100 HST gear engagement
Tractor Projects
Replies 5 Post by JonB