Tractorpoint Login

print < Tractorpoint Login

Search for =

Topic

I have a JD 513 cutter that I bought this spring. The 413 through 613 are light duty cutters. I have under ten hours on mine and I was marveling over the weekend at how beat up I've managed to get it in that amount of time. The biggest problem is that the metal in the rear is getting bent outward from snagging on stumps and rocks. There are also many dents in the sides from bits of rock flying into them. It looked heavy enough to me when I bought it, but now I wish I'd bought a medium duty cutter. Keep in mind that it's getting pretty heavy use for a light duty cutter; I routinely cut rocks and brush with it. My rear acreage is a depleted gravel pit that now has 30 years of growth on it which hides rocks quite nicely. The front pops them up out of the ground to be processing into crushed stone.

Darryl

Rotary Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 6 Post by Darryl Gesner

Now that we're all set on floating in reverse, any input on floating while going forward. My JD manual says it's the recommended way to level, but when I try it the front wheels really get off the ground. No matter how I angle the bucket, the bucket wants to dig down and the tractor wants to climb over it.

I also wanted to add one thing about leveling in reverse. I usually start out with the bucket at a fairly steep angle and gradually reduce the angle with subsequent drags until the bucket is nearly level. This helps to compact the soil a bit so it won't wash away and gives a fairly smooth and uniform surface.

Engaging the quot Float quot Position
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 16 Post by Darryl Gesner

Tom - This doesn't really answer your question, but I wanted to metnion that you may want to reconsider removing all of the grass. Vegetation helps to stabilize the beach and prevent it from eroding by both wind and water action. Perhaphs you could just reclaim a smaller area for recreational purposes and leave the rest to nature?

Darryl

Maintaining a Beach
Garden and Landscape
Replies 2 Post by Darryl Gesner

Bird - thank's for the words of wisdom relating to mower deflectors. I don't really use my 513 that much, so hopefully I can get at least a year or 2 out of a rubber rear deflector. I'd make a chain one, but don't think I have the proper tools (no bolt cutter or welder).

Darryl

John Deere implements
John Deere Tractors
Replies 12 Post by Darryl Gesner

I just bought the 7489C model also. I got a discount, I think it was 10% for mentioning that I heard of them on Tractorbynet.com. They have several other models available and were quite helpful and cordial on the phone.

Darryl

Tractor use
Parts and Repair
Replies 10 Post by Darryl Gesner

Jon - If the 762H hoe you mention is the same size as the JD #7, I would go with a bigger one. I have a #7 and although it works well for it's size, it doesn't do very well at stump digging. I end up with a pretty big hole for a 8 to 10 inch stump because I have to move out pretty far to the smaller roots. Just breaking a fairly small root (1 to 2 inch) can take some doing. I've also had trouble lifting the stump out of the hole, especially if the soil is wet and clinging to the stump. The lift and swing strength of small hoes isn't great. Roger is correct that the bucket curl is where the power is, but the dipperstick has considerable power too. I don't know how well the other brand hoes perform compared to the JD, but I would think a bigger hoe would be desirable if the tractor can handle it, which I'm sure a 4700 can.

Darryl

Backhoes JD and Bush Hog
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 10 Post by Darryl Gesner

Bob - Did you manage to get your cutter leveled out? If so, how and what was the problem.

Darryl

My Cutter Ain t Level
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 53 Post by Darryl Gesner

Jeff - I have a #7 hoe that also leaks down. I always keep the boom pin in when I'm not using it, which prevents it from leaking down.

Darryl

7 Backhoe - leak down
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Darryl Gesner

Yes, the 955 is a hydro and the 790 gear driven. They are about the same physical size and HP but the 790 is an economy machine. The 55 series are great mowing machines. Nothing against the 790, but I would go with the 955 if it's in good shape and the price is right. I almost bought a new 790 before I located a used 1998 855 with 140 hours on it. It's a great machine, although at 6'2" I'm a little cramped on it. I use it for brush hogging my lawn and about a mile of woods roads and paths as well as for loader work, with occasional backhoe digging. Actually, I wish I had the 955. My PTO HP is under 20 which rules out some 3 pt implements. I think both the 790 and 955 have at least 25 HP PTOs.

790 vs 955
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Darryl Gesner

I have a JD #7 backhoe on my 855. It is a quick-attach subframe mount and I don't see how it could ever come loose IF installed properly.

Backhoe safety
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 7 Post by Darryl Gesner

Mike - I have the JD #7 hoe on my machine. It works well and is a sub-frame mount. My tractor is also for homeowner use and it takes me no time at all to mow my 1/2 acre of lawn with a 5 foot rotary cutter. I bought the JD 513 cutter for mowing along paths and access roads on my rear 30 acres and was surprised to find that it does a fair job on the lawn as well. Sure beats pushing the 20 inch mower.

Loader down force
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 15 Post by Darryl Gesner

I remember watching someone doing final lawn preparation by dragging a chain link fence when I was a kid. There was no pipe on the back.

Chain Link Fence Drag
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by Darryl Gesner

I have a chance to get a 60 inch mid-mount kubota mower real cheap. Is there any way I can mount this on a John Deere 855? I have the mid PTO. I'm not sure of the model number of the mower. Has anyone done this? I'd be willing to spend a few hundred bucks if I have to. I'm guessing I'd need a new drive shaft and some cutom metal fabricating, and of course a few cans of green paint. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm planning to check with a dealer who sells both brands as soon as I have the mower model number.

Kubota Mid-Mount Mower on a Deere
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 1 Post by Darryl Gesner

I just wanted to add that the 790 is just the 770 with a bigger (30 HP) motor.

Darryl

Model order for JD compacts
John Deere Tractors
Replies 12 Post by Darryl Gesner

Dana - are you mowing with the uncut portion of grass to your right? Due to the direction of rotation of the blades, this should lift up any grass the tractor tire pushes down.

Mid-mount or rear mount finish mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 12 Post by Darryl Gesner

Mark - I think $15,000 is in the ballpark for that Deere. I recently bought a used 855 with 140 hours including the loader and backhoe (no mower) for $17,500. Considering that the hoe is about $6,000 new and the mower about $3,000, your price seems about right, maybe just a tad ($500 or $1,000) on the high side. As far as the 855s go, they're fine machines but a little light on the PTO HP, I think it's 19.5 HP.

Need advise opinions on purchase of JD855
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Darryl Gesner

I looked at both of these machines. Two different dealers that carried both lines steered me toward the 790 over the L2500, for what it's worth.

Darryl

JD 790 vs Kubota L2500
Operating and Attachments
Replies 20 Post by Darryl Gesner

Here is a pic;ture of an 870 that is for sale. Looks real to me.

JD 850
John Deere Tractors
Replies 19 Post by Darryl Gesner

Doug - I was recently in a similar situation. After looking for a good used commpact in my price range for four months with no luck, I decided to buy a new 790. The 790 seemed to me to be the most tractor of the major brands for the money. I was about to order one but decided to give another call to a seller of a 1998 855 who I had talked to before, but he wanted too much money for it then. I picked it up with the loader, hoe and turf tires with 140 hours on it for $17,500. He is a building contractor and is replacing it with a Kubota L35. Maybe I'll give him a call in a few years when he's ready to trade up to a full-sized backhoe:)

JD4100 vs JD790
John Deere Tractors
Replies 12 Post by Darryl Gesner

Murf - I agree with you, but the law still applies, doesn't it?

Underground Utilities
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by Darryl Gesner