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I just bought a pressure washer--cold water only, 2,850 PSI and 2 GPM--primarily to remove caked grease around lubrication points on my tractor and back hoe. I used Campbell-Hausfield grease cutting detergent and was very disappointed with the result. Basically it merely splattered the grease on other parts of the tractor. I have a bad feeling that this application is just not doable with a cold water pressure washer and I probably can't return it. Any tips on how I can make this work?

Grease removal with pressure washer
Parts and Repair
Replies 7 Post by Captain B

I've decided to erect two walls inside the barn to make a 20'X 20'X 10' workshop. It will have a sliding door so I can drive my tractor with FEL and 3PT snowblower inside for work. I'm told I'll need about 17,000 BTU to heat the space. Pretty much decided on electrical. Looking at a Dayton G73 and a Fahrenheat unit from Northern Tool. The specs and the pictures appear identical. The Dayton costs 25% more. Is it worth the extra $$?

Barn heater
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 13 Post by Captain B

I like my 990. It's a real brute. With 40HP I can brush hog 2'-3' grass high going up a steep hill without missing a beat. The quick attach for the bucket and the FEL itself is--err, well--quick. I also experienced the problem Yerbyra reports--the engine got fuel starved with a quarter tank still left because the fuel line is poorly positioned for working nose down on hills. It gave me fits but now that I know the problem I just keep the tank filled. I also think that it comes down to whether you need hydro or can deal with gears and dealer availability and quality. Price was also a consideration for me. The 990 gives you a reliability and solid value for the $$. I have had gear tractors for 10 years. I admit to thinking of a getting shuttle shift/power reverer setup next time around whenever I am working a snow bank or doing a lot of quick back and forth work.

John Deere 990 good and bad
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Captain B

Don't know pricing on two-wheel drive. Also depends on your area of the country, type tires and the FEL which is non factory. In New England, four-wheel drive with turf tires and JD75 loader would be worth $9,500 in nice shape. Deduct a significant amount for two-wheel drive, off brand FEL and for unknowns generally.

JD 850
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Captain B

Thanks DR. My question, however, is: What specific type of control valve do you recommend? For example, I see listings for a "two-way detent valve", a "one-spool control valve with float",and a "two-spool control valve." I can't determine which one I should buy to run a hydraulic top link off of my two-port(out and return), rear-mounted power beyond hook up.

How many SCV s
Antique Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Captain B

I have a JD730 FEL on a JD990. I switch on the go alot between a bucket and forks. Sometimes the two attachment carriers (they are the points of attachment at the end of each loader mast--the top end of each attachment carrier slides into the hook or "ear" on the top of the bucket/forks and the bottom has a strap with a hole that goes over a pin on bottom of the bucket/forks). Anyway, when I disconnect say the bucket, sometimes one of the carrier attachment drops down lower than the other. As a result, when I go to pick up the forks, one side may mate with the "ear" but the other side is rolled more upright so that it won't catch its "ear." I have tried curling the loader ful up when I drop the bucket off to get both sides in sync. This doesn't work for reasons I don't understand. I know this is hard to visualize which is why I have waited a couple of years to post the question. The problem really slows me down. What's the fix?

Quick connect hook up for bucket and forks on FEL
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 3 Post by Captain B

I was in your postion not too long ago. Unless you have a friend who will look over your shoulder, take a welding course. Most voc ed high schools hold night courses. As to MIG versus stick--if you are going to work on farm/tractor projects an AC/DC stick welder is my recommendation. An entry level MIG welder won't have the capability to do the thicker stuff (3/16 to half inch)that you will want to work on from time to time. Of course, if money is no object then you can get a large MIG machine. Bottom line: take a welding course before you invest.

Learning to weld
Parts and Repair
Replies 62 Post by Captain B

It might be true in most cases that you need chain tighteners only if you anticipate driving at road speeds. But in some instances, like mine, the clearance between the R4s with studded chains and the fender is absolutely minimal. Tighteners eliminate (I hope) the chance of taking out a fender.

Tire chains on my R-4 s
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by Captain B

The replies are really helpful. Follow up question--I already bought the lights and wiring harness from an auto parts place. The harness has its own switch and fuse and is intended to be wired straight to the battery terminals. I'd rather run it into the fuse box so that the lights turn on through the existing headlight and rear light switch. Never done this kind of thing before. All the exisitng wires are densely bundled such that I don't want to risk cutting the wrong one. How to do it? I have the JD990 shop manual.

Mounting flood lights on ROPS
John Deere Tractors
Replies 16 Post by Captain B

I want to buy old style barn light fixtures. These are the kind with round green enamel on metal shades around an incandescent light. I have searched on the web with no luck. Any one know a good source?

Old style barn lights
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 3 Post by Captain B

There are as many differences in opinion on welders as there are about tractors on this board. In addition to Tool Talk, I suggest the board sponsored by Hobart. The discussions are completely unbiased. try No one seems the least bit obligated to say anything good about Hobart machines unless it is warranted. Also check out Agriculture Online. I will try to attach both links but not sure I can do two as I have not tried before.

Welder Specs and Opinion
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by Captain B

Not sure what size materials you need to tackle. I have had great success cleaning up fairly large (3' diameter)white pine, particularly branches, using my fork attachment. I would put it up against anything else as the Swiss army knife of all implements. I haven't had the bucket on my machine in the summer in over a year.

Best implement for rolling up slash piles
Operating and Attachments
Replies 19 Post by Captain B

I am in the pre-retirement stage so I spend a fair amount of time investigating competing brands looking for real value and quality. Bought a KK box blade last year. My dealer also sells Landpride. He said that quite honestly the only difference was "fit and finish." In the case of my box blade this meant that some of the fit up was just a smidgen ragged and the welds showed some spatter. That mattered not since I wasn't buying a car just gear to level my field and driveway. I like the KK a lot.

KingKutter vs Landpride
Operating and Attachments
Replies 24 Post by Captain B

What size and make stick machine do I need to weld quarter to half-inch steel? I am leaning toward the Hobart Stickmate LX 235AC/160DC. Rated: 100% duty cycle at 65 amps. It costs $420 with running gear and free shipping on the net. I have been told that the Hobart is a Miller Thunderbolt XL (same production line)with different paint for about 10% less. Is this size machine appropriate for small projects and attachment repair? What is the best on-line source for welding equipment?

Size stick welder
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by Captain B

First JD--As a relative newcomer to welding and one who has already experienced several safety scares I offer the following. As the posts reveal, there is far more to basic welding than is intuitively obvious. Safety is a huge consideration. I mean fire and explosion. I have never thought of myself as overly cautious. That said, I would never consider lighting a torch or striking an arc without first taking a welding course. Even the excellent books I recommended can't address the many nitty gritty questions that pop up immediately. Most voc-tech high schools offer basic night welding courses. I am taking one now. It cost $200 for 16 three-hours sessions over 9 weeks. It has been incredibly useful.

Pressure for Oxy Acl torches
Parts and Repair
Replies 28 Post by Captain B

I have a KK box blade. I think the only issue is what one would call "fit and finish" if it were a car. For example, the welds have a little splatter and the cutting and fitting on the metal parts tend to be a little rough. Discussed this with a dealer who also sells Land Pride as his high end brand. His take is that KK is a value brand and all you are only sacrificing cosmetics. As least as to the box blade, I figured it would not matter after I used it once in the dirt. I have been very happy. Also sprung for a few extra bucks and got the heavy duty version. I would be curious about the 6' cutter with slip clutch that Wolbert bought. I am thinking about trading up my 5' brush hog this spring. On balence--I recommend KK if you are price sensitve and want core value.

king cutter
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 8 Post by Captain B

I tried brake steering this weekend after getting great feedback from Kay, Yerbyra and Tom G. Huge improvement in steering and traction. Tom G was right on. It is "half-a-diff lock" when one rear wheel looses traction. In reverse it was like driving a sports car--well maybe a zero-turn mower anyway. Now I am curious about other applications for brake steering. I assume there is only limited utility on grass/fields because of concerns about tearing up turf. Suggestions?

Brake steering
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 4 Post by Captain B

Mark--the weight rests on two skid plates on either side. Don't think there is anything more I can do re weight on the back end. Pretty confident now with all the helpful feedback that the solution lies with (1) portable weight in the bucket, and (2) use of the split brakes.

Ballasting
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 15 Post by Captain B

BigRed--I had an Arps 7 (7.5') with PTO pump on my JD850 for five years. Your problem occurrs only when you try to lift the back of the tractor to position yourself or move forward as you do with the big guys! You are correct to suspect that you are asking too much. I wouldn't change the relief valve setting even if you can. Get a bigger hoe or resign yourself to hopping down every 10 to 20 minutes and moving around the conventional way. It's slower but darn good exercise. You'll sleep better from the workout and the peace of mind of not being between tractor and hoe if the subframe lets go.

Kubota B4690 Backhoe Attachment to JD 950
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 10 Post by Captain B

Just bought a pair of studded HAKKI tire chains for my JD990 with loaded R4s. Mounted one yesterday. The clearance between the chain and the rear fender is only about 1.3" and looks tight. Haven't run them yet because of this concern. The dealer says the clearance should be adequate if the chains are very tight. From the JD parts manual it looks like the fenders have two mounting positions and that I might raise them a bit. Does anyone have experience as to minimum chain/fender clearance and what to do to avoid problems if the clearance is barely adequate? Is it safe to remove the fenders for the season if I am working completely off-road?

Tire chain clearance
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 3 Post by Captain B