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I think I read an article a few years ago about the military having a problem with bacteria "eating" their jet fuel. Maybe Chief knows more. Anyway, despite the oil/fuel contaminating bacteria stories, I've never heard of any problems with the gas or diesel fuel storage tanks at any service station, where a guy would think something like this would be a major issue. But I guess not hearing about problems doesn't mean there aren't any.

Diesel Anti-Bacterial Formula
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Linesplice - The only way I can imagine what you describe is if you have the top link too far extended. The three point hitch has two lower "draft links" and one upper "top link." The two lower draft links attach to unmovable pins on the mower. The top link should attach between two 6 to 8 inch long pieces of metal which pivot freely between two metal uprights and what you call the thin metal ribs (stays or braces) which go to the back of the mower. When viewed fron the side, the "point" where the tractor's top link attaches to those 6 to 8 inch long pieces of metal should be below where those 6 to 8 inch long pieces of metal actually attach to the uprights and the "thin metal ribs" of the mower. The "point" should also be directly above where the lower draft links attach to the mower. (The attachment point for the top link and the attachment points for the draft links should all lie in the same plane, and that plane should be perpendicular to the ground. Pardon my inability to describe this.) As wolbert said, when the rear wheel or wheels of the mower follow the contour of the ground, the two 6 to 8 inch long metal pieces will swivel between the upright braces and the braces which go to the rear of the mower. This swiveling action is the functional equivalent of lengthening or shortening the top link and is what actually allows the rear end of the mower to rise and fall. The only real purpose of the top link in a situation like this is to be able to lift the mower off the ground for transport. As you raise the draft links via the rockshaft, the rear of the mower will stay on the ground until those metal pieces to which the top link is attached swivel out to maximum extent. Only then will the rear of the mower begin to lift off the ground. If you never have need to raise the implement entirely off the ground, you actually don't need to use a top link, and you have functionally gone back in time to a two point hitch.

rotary mower top link
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 3 Post by Bernie Galgoci

David - In similar situations, I've found a sharp utility knife to be very useful. Maybe not the easiest method, but it sure beats trying to unwrap the grass stems from the shaft.

Clogged tiller
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by Bernie Galgoci

I don't know what the answer is, but here's as good a place as any to test a rule of thumb someone (a former tractor salesman, no less, but not a Deere salesman) told me about three or four years ago. The rule says: if you take two IDENTICAL tractors which differ only in horsepower, you'll pay about $450 more per gross engine horsepower for the more powerful tractor. Since at the time the 4300 and 4400 were in the catagory of "identical except for horsepower" and they differed by 3.7 gross engine HP, they should have differed by about $1665. I don't know if there are now differences other than horsepower, or what exactly the horsepower ratings are of the new 4310 and 4410. But I would like to know if I've wasted some of my very limited brain space by remembering a totally useless and not adjusted for inflation rule of thumb.

4310 vs 4410 price diff
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Plots, Art, and John Deere all agree: a 6 ft. cutter is too big for the tractor. My handy little booklet from Deere recommends their 413 or 513 cutters for the 770 tractor. They state their 613 (light duty, 6 ft.) and 616 (heavier duty, 6ft.) cutters are too big/heavy for the 770's power. And they say the 770 is too lightweight for even their 516 (heavier duty, 5ft.) model.

Brush hog too big
John Deere Tractors
Replies 14 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Bob - While I was (slowly) typing my response, you posted the dimensions for your prospective tiller. Believe me, your TC33D will handle a 48 to 50 inch tiller like a hot knife through butter. And by all means, get a slip clutch. Best of luck.

tiller fro TC33D
New Holland Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Bernie Galgoci

The "hook" at the top and the "pin" at the bottom of the bracket are available from JD parts and are listed as part of the bucket for whatever size loader you have (410, 420, etc.). I guess you could weld these onto anything you wanted to attatch to a loader, or as it looks like in the rock rake photos, onto a steel plate which was then welded onto the back of the rake. Knowing Deere, the hook and the pin are probably astronomically expensive, but having those two "custom" pieces makes the rest of it pretty easy.

york rakes
Garden and Landscape
Replies 6 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Plots - Your pictures are worth a thousand words. Good job with the weights. I don't think you could beat the price. They look good, and you'll be able to easily add more weight if needed. I hope you don't mind if need be I steal your idea!

wheel weights
John Deere Tractors
Replies 32 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Mark - I just consulted Bush Hog, Worksaver, and two Landpride manuals about slip clutch checks and adjustments. Bush Hog suggests you do an "operational check" (i.e. make sure the clutch isn't frozen) after 30 or more days of storage, Worksaver suggests a check just after winter storage, and Landpride suggests re-doing a clutch run-in after "long periods of inactivity." All manufacturers describe check and adjustment procedures; none mention readjusting after hitting an object. The Bush Hog manual states (and in bold type, no less), "occasional slippage is normal for drivetrain protection." If I had to readjust a slip clutch every time I hit an obstruction and the clutch "slipped," I'd be better off time-wise with a shear bolt set-up. I would quietly burn any manual I had that told me to readjust the slip clutch every time it slips.

Shear pin or slip clutch
Kubota Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Bernie Galgoci

I've never had a MMM for exactly the reason you state ... the on/off hassle. I run a 6 foot Landpride rear discharge mower on the TPH. I outline the buildings and cut around some other "trouble spots" with a 38 inch side discharge deck on a lawn tractor, then zoom through the open spaces with the 6 foot. I'm sure someone with a trained or better eye would see a difference, but side by side like this, I really don't notice a difference in the cut - although I'm not at all particular about these kinds of things to begin with. (There was a discussion here on the board once about mowing grass in a "yard" and mowing grass in a "lawn." I definitely have a "yard.") Anyway, I went with a Landpride because I thought it was good quality and I'm close to the dealer. Good luck with whatever you decide.

3PT Rear Mount Finish Mowers
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 6 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Larry - Sorry it took rolling your tractor to make many of us aware of this issue. I tested my JD4400 on the flat and level yesterday, and it sure seemed pretty easy to knock the range shift lever into neutral and start freewheeling. Easy enough such that I wasn't even interested in doing the test while pulling a wagon up a hill. Thanks Art and Murf for the quick fix!

Tractor went out of gear
Parts and Repair
Replies 19 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. After LarryJ rolled his tractor, I went out to see how easy it would be to knock the range shift lever on my JD into neutral and start freewheeling. Needless to say, I learned about a safety issue that never even occurred to me. (Thanks Art and Murf for the easy solution!) I like to think I USUALLY try to cover all the bases safety-wise, and if I don't, well at least I know the risk I'm taking. But it's the things you don't know about that are accidents waiting to happen, and I'm always willing to listen to other people's insights and solutions on safety issues.

Would like to suggest a Safety Forum Topic Section
Parts and Repair
Replies 12 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Wayne - Even on a rotation where you were doing only five of the fifteen acres every year, it sounds like alot of rototilling to me. With the implements matched to a given tractor size, I'd bet that plowing followed by disking/harrowing would beat (field-speed-wise) a single pass of rototilling any day. And if you were rotating any acres out of perennial grasses, it would take more than one pass with the rototiller to "turn things under." Rototillers also make (or at least when I use a rototiller I tend to make) a very fine, fluffy seedbed - I would think almost too fine and fluffy for your purposes. Because of this, large rototillers (eight to ten feet wide) which occasionally show up at machinery auctions around here often have compaction rollers attatched to them just to firm up the soil after tilling. I think that by varying tine speed, ground speed, and how open the rear door on the tiller is, you can probably come up with a very good, firm seedbed for your needs. I just don't think it will ever be as quick and easy as plowing/disking. I have a 60 inch rototiller which I use to make planting beds for our nursery business. One spring, instead of the usual chisel plowing and disking, I decided to use the tiller to work up our half acre wildlife food plot. Never again. Definitely slower, and since the field is rocky the tiller, tractor and nerves of the driver took an unnecessary beating. If you do decide to try the rototiller, the L-shaped tines are almost always the way to go. The C-shaped tines are only recommended for tilling in wet (peat/muck) soils. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Anyone used the JD 670 680 tiller
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Bernie Galgoci

BTBF - If the MFWD axle on the 4600 is in any way similar to the axle on the 4400, this isn't a big job, judging from the 4400 technical manual. Yes, the axle will have to be removed in order to reseal the differential cover to the housing, but that only takes removing the front drive shaft, two hoses, and eight bolts. The whole procedure -drain and pull axle, remove cover, clean and reseal, replace and refill axle - looks like about three hours max for the casual backyard mechanic who isn't trying to "beat the book." Not sure as to what a dealer would quote you on this ($150 - $200 ??). I was in a car dealership the other day where I saw the posted price for an eight cylinder "tune-up" at $199.95. I wouldn't be surprised at anything. Time IS money. Good luck.

JD 4600 leaking front differental cover
Parts and Repair
Replies 2 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Slider - If I'm not mistaken, the JD460 would be the Deere loader that goes on the JD4710 tractor. The manual that comes with the 460 loader contains this quote: "DO NOT lift a bale heavier than 317 kg (700 lb) this will exceed the lift capacity of the loader for bales." [Deere's emphasis, not mine.] Not sure how Deere figures this "bale-specific" capacity, but the other stated lift capacities of this loader on a JD4600 are: (1) 1705 lb to maximum height, measured at 20 inches in front of the pivot pin, and (2) 1320 lb to maximum height with the forklift. Anyway, on the whole I agree with what Jack says about compact vs. "real" utility tractors ... and I own a compact utility tractor. I ended up with a JD4400 because I needed a tractor that would fit into an existing building (old cow barn with narrow doors) and under an existing object (6 ft tall shade house). Fortunately, I have an old 55HP 2WD ag tractor with a loader to do any really heavy work that the 4400 can't handle. But if one of these years I happen across the right 45 to 55HP MFWD "real" utility tractor (something like say a 5210 or a 5310), that old 2WD ag tractor will be looking for a new home. Good luck with whichever tractor you choose.

JD 4710 or 5210
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Acording to a copy of a tractor guide from 1987, the MF240 was only made in 1983 (beginning serial number = 524172) and 1984 (beginning serial number = 552016). It came with a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel engine and put out about 35 PTO horsepower. It sold new for a little over $11,000. This size tractor should definitely meet the needs you describe. I have no idea as to what a MF240 in average shape would be currently worth. A few years back, I would occasionally borrow a MF235 (mid '70s model, 3 cylinder Perkins, about 40 PTO horsepower) from a neighbor. It was the only Massey I've ever used, but it made a very good impression on me as being solid and well built. Good luck.

Massey Ferguson 240
Massey Ferguson Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Peonyman: I use a JD660 tiller (60") on a JD4400. The 4400 has no problem powering this size tiller, and your TC35D, with about the same PTO horsepower as the 4400, should not think twice about powering a 50" unit. I'll be interested to hear how the tractor does with the tree spade.

Doesn t anyone like the TC35D for tilling loader work
New Holland Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Bernie Galgoci

TH - I was really impressed with the larger "Bearcat" PTO models a few years ago. I checked out their web site and they've added models in the size range you're thinking about. They have a dealer locator on their site, so maybe you can come up with someone near you who has one to look at. Don't know about price ... but the Goosen dealer might be willing to deal a little if he knows there's some competition. Good luck.

Chippers again
Operating and Attachments
Replies 16 Post by Bernie Galgoci

Guys: Thanks for your expertise (and even your humor). You've made me a little more knowledgable and alot less worried about my tractor, and I appreciate it. Bernie

Is this a problem or a quot feature quot
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Bernie Galgoci

J Green - From what I know of auction prices around here (SW Wisconsin): JD1020 gas = $4800 +/- $800; JD48 loader with 6' bucket = $1900 +/- $400 ... both items depending on condition and how badly a guy wants the equipment. As always, things seem to be going high when you're thinking of buying and low when you're thinking of selling.

1020 John Deere Tractor
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Bernie Galgoci