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My first new vehicle was a 1993 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban. What a piece of sh!@#t. On our first trip with it, BOTH sid view mirrors fell off. The A/C would take almost an hour to cool the cab on a hot day and it had the rear AC option. I ordered it with the heavy duty 4L80 trans. & 4.10 gears for towing. The salesman said 10,000 lbs. was no problem........EVERY time I towed with it the trans. over heated & puked oil and I did not tow in OD. At 14,000 miles, the engine spun some rod bearings and was trashed. The dealer refused to replace the engine with a new crate engine and installed a short block. Did a crappy job. Power windows went out twice. The best mileage it EVER got was on a long trip and that was a whopping 16mpg. It was garage kept and spared nothings to be pampered. It continued to have many other problems. I tried to go through BBB to make GM buy that piece of crap back. GM refused and BBB stabs the customer in the back. I traded it in on my Dodge Ram with 48K miles on it. I was lucky to get $8500 for the trade in.

GM owes me $5000 plus 7 years interest on the $5000.

The Dodge Ram has been a damn good truck for an AmeriKan vehicle. I had the sterring box replaced at about 5000 miles under warranty. From there it was pretty much maintenance free. On the last month of the warranty the engine developed an occasional miss. Diesels DON'T miss. The injector pump was replaced under warranty. This is usually a $2500 to $3000 job. Then I come to find out this is well known problem because the fuel transfer lift pumps are junk and fail regularly and kill the injector pump. Fist I spring for the cost of a big line kit/lift pump relocation kit for about $200. Plus I buy a new lift Cummins pump which is a "campaign recall pump" to address the bad lift pump problem. Those pumps are just as bad. Next I spend $500 for an Air Dog 150 to fix the lift pump problem once and for all. Then I notice the steering started to get sloppy again. Come to find out ALL the Dodge Rams do this because of a poor design. Fork out $140 for a DSS steering stabilizer. Now it steers like a champ. In cold weather the engine will not maintain temp. Fork out another $37 for grill cold front louvers. ALl the dodge trucks have the crank case vent puke bottle on the front of the engine that pukes oil and crap all into the radiator and entire engine compartment not to mention under side of the truck.......it keeps the rust down. ;-) It only cost about $400 to get a kit installed to fix that or you can do like I did and eliminate the puke bottle and reroute the hose closer to the ground.

My friend had a 99 Dodge Ram with the Cummins. He notice that he started loosing coolant but nothing showed up in the oil or exhaust. Soon after he found the leak.....the engine block cracked. A well known defect known as the 53 series block. The deal say "sucks to be you". Cummins told him "we will be glad to sell you a new engine for $12,000 or we will cover $5000 of the cost for a new short block IF WE install it". A new short block was $9000 plus $80 an hour shop labor. My friend bought a new Cummins 5.9 block off of eBay for $1500 and rebuilt the engine using the old one HIMSELF. Before that he learned that 94 thru 2000 Dodge Rams with the 5 speed manual trans were crapping out because the 5th gear nut come loose! About $3000 later he installed his own NV5600, new flywheel and Southbend Clutch. Its a great truck now. Folks with 12 valve Dodge Ram cummins trucks have to pay to fix the "killer dowel pin" which is the front engine timing cover alignment pin that comes loose falling into the timing gears snapping off the cam gear and destroying the entire engine!

Fast forward to last week. My wife calls me to tell me here Ford Tarrrassss will not shift out of 1st gear. I am waiting for a OBD I code reader to check for any codes I may be able to fix but if the trans is bad.......spend $2000 or more on a car that is not worth $500. We had the ENTIRE transaxle & transmission replaced at about 28000 miles. It craps out at 167000 miles! I am told we were REAL lucky......most of these transmissions don't make it to 90,000 miles! We got almost 139000 miles out of ours......I guess we should feel proud?????

Bottom line..........AmeriKan cars SUCK! The quality and workmanship SUCK! I am real happy with my Dodge Ram BUT I has to spend thousands to get it to what I want it to be.

Some much for the "Big 3". When they build me a truck or car I can drive 200000 miles that is built good enough to stand up to a FULL COVERAGE EVERYTHING covered warranty (I'll take care of the gas, oil, tires, and brakes) MAYBE I will buy one AFTER I negotiate my best deal AND the dealer repays me my costs of previous crap vehicles they sold me!

The car manufacturers can go straight to HELL! Good riddance! They ALL need to go bankrupt so they can reorganize and make themselves competitive. No more $75 per hour jobs to install stereo knobs. NO JOB BANK! NO multimillion dollar CEO pay packages. 12 year 200,000 FULL bumper to bumper warranty which includes AUTOMATIC buy back at FULL purchase price OR new vehicle replacement for ANY vehicle with a warranty history of more than 3 problems.

I'm fed up and tired of getting screwed by the automakers. I bought the wife a 2001 Dodge Ram Cummins 4 x 4 to replace the Ford Tarrrassss. After I fix the problems I learned on my truck, we will have 2 great vehicles. I WILL NOT pay 50K for a pickup truck!

Since Big Brother is gonna bail them out......I think it only right that the CEO's be paid and hourly wage just like the line workers. NO OUTSOURCEING of ANY kind. NO IMPORTED parts of ANY KIND. Retirement pay should be in line with military retirement standards.

Its nice to dream. Don't hold your breath waiting for ANY of this to happen. NOTHING will change. The big 3 will get their money and the same old sh!@#t will continue.......at least until the house of cards collapses...........then you better pray the gun and ammo makers build better guns than the car makers build cars.... ;-)

Rant over......I'm done........let the mud pies fly now! :-) I sure feel better now. LOL!

What is your take on the Big-3 hearings
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 26 Post by Chief

By "low compression", I presume you mean COMPRESSION RELEASE. If yes, then by all means use it. The primary purpose of the compression release is to ease cold starting. Secondarily, it reduces stress on the starting system. I open mine, and crank the starter with an eye on the oil pressure gauge. Soon as I seen the needle indicate pressure is building, I let go of the compression release.

About the rear lift. Only thing hydraulic I can think of now (short of the drain/flush/clean screen/AW32 route) is that the divertor valve might be dirty. It's up in front of your right foot. Follow the hydraulic hose back from the pump, then it goes into a metal housing. Out of the housing comes one hose for the steering, and the other continues on back to the lift. If that's dirty, it could be stuck feeding the steering and starving the lift.

I've never done it, but I've read it's a simple job to disassemble and clean. Probably messy though.

//greg//

AgraCat 2920 Jinma 254
Jinma Farmpro Agracat Nortrac
Replies 15 Post by greg_g

Most battery charges have a charge needle to indicate the current state of the battery. Typically weak batteries will show a lot of deflection early on and then gradually decrease as the battery is charged. Depending on charger, it will put anywhere from +16 to trickle in the battery depending on the battery's charge. If you think the battery won't hold a charge you can test it with a Hydrometer to load meter. If you just have a battery charge and want to know if it's outputing a voltage put a meter (DMM) across the leads, set the meter to read DC volts.

Battery Chargers
Yanmar Tractors
Replies 6 Post by kalpia

Thanks Yoop!

Zatkoff has their office near me in/near Livonia just about 15 miles away. I can weld the cap myself or have my bud do it who has a welding shop. You are a good 3 hours away.

It's not that I NEED a big cylinder; it came on it. I can buy the Chief-brand form the mfg. Baileynet.com---I just don't wanna as funds are really not there with the weather like it is, and my wood is already split. My neighbor was in a hurry to use the splitter since I made a deal with him to go with me and pick it up originally. And I was hoping to rent it out.

Hey, how's biz up there with the so-called bailout--which as we know is a LOAN? We down-state are still holding our collective breaths. It's on the news 24/7 but no one I know talks about it. Isn't that a bunch of crap how the Gov. wants union workers to take a pay cut--what a bunch of s---?

What the nation doesn't realize is if union workers take a pay cut that starts an avalanche of OTHER workers nationwide taking cuts as Managements nationwide will take that as a rule of thumb for no other reason than to line their own pockets. I call it a sprialling down of the middle class.

And I ain't "jis' sayin'" this time.

Welding cast iron on old hydraulic cylinder
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by earthwrks

The engine doesn't shut off even when you pull the key out or when you get off the seat while it's PTO is engaged. Automatic shutoff doesnt' work. The snowblower is front mounted, the electronic controls for the shute don't work.

KUBOTA BX24 WONT SHUT OFF SNOWBLOWER WONT TURN
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by NORMAG

Eric is right as there are some note worthy differences in the L series line up. For some they could just look at the larger Standard L-series L-4400 for the extra horsepower but for many the Grand L is a better answer.

L3540 just arrived
Kubota Tractors
Replies 16 Post by Art White

If they ever hold a Wacko convention I have a relative they will elect king, he eats up all the BS like it's free lunch at a Hobo picnic. Seriously we do need to clean up our act a bit, but these extreme Wackos usually aren't old enough to have saw what we've already done to clean up before they were born. The sad part of it is that most of these extremests are from wealthy familys and don't have to work for a living, so why not protest something even if they don't have a clue about what they are protesting. A prime example is whom ever got it into law that a horse cannot be slauightered even for pet food must think that letting them wander to either be hit by trains, trucks, or starve to death is more humane. Go figgure???? Frank.

Wow This global warming is kicking our butts here
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 17 Post by hardwood

If it's graphite-based, I applied a graphite no-stick paint to one-third of the underside of my mower deck, and undercoating oil to another third. In how much chaff stuck to the deck, there was no difference in the three sections. I expect it would be similar on snow sticking.

Nor-trac lubricants
Jinma Farmpro Agracat Nortrac
Replies 7 Post by auerbach

Hi, I have noticed after changing to the Kubota Super UDT that when I am using the tractor I quite frequently smell the fluid . Don't remember that before. I should say I don't use the tractor often (enough), and usually mostly as a wheel barrow cleaning up the yard with it "idling" at less than 1500 rpm. The few times I have used it harder (loader work) and at a higher rpm the smell is very prevalent. No leaks beyond minor drips from the quick release fittings. Is this normal? I am wondering if I smell it because it is synthetic and doesn't just blend in with the diesel smell?
Thanks

John Deere low viscosity HY GARD
John Deere Tractors
Replies 36 Post by Hettric

Back to Yuppie's original question whether to keep it or fix it. If you can't get an honest estimate on fixing it that is in the 5-600.00 range or less I think I'd quit throwing money at a lawnmower. A recent rebuild engine should have some salvage value on E-Bay or somewhere like that. There are zillions of good used mowers in that size range for sale some probably with a bit of warranty from an orange, green, or blue dealer. Merry Christmas. Frank.

Should I keep GF 1800 or replace
Kubota Tractors
Replies 11 Post by hardwood

LOL, told you I knew nothing about gators.

Those have wet brakes?

Never mind...

4x6 soft brakes
Utility Vehicles UTV/ATV
Replies 4 Post by kwschumm

Oops, and the big nut looking thing with threads, I believe is called a worm gear

L185DT steering problem
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by mcbake

Inexpensive and cab are mutually exclusive in my book. My The local dealer sells vynil cab enclosures for $280 plus tax. I never seen one though.

I have a TC33D and bought a fiberglass-and-kevlar canopy from Firebird Fiberglass in Arizona. It was pricey but well worth it--about $600 inc. shipping.

I would buy one of these for year-round use, and have a local sailmaker or canvas maker make a cab to your specs. It will likely cost about the same as buying a cheapy vynil cab. And the materials the locals will or should use will be much better like the clear windows and zippers. There might be such a thing that the locals can create a better designed cab that uses bows or stays intead of snaps. These guys can be very creative since they work on boats.

If you have sketching ability, draw up something and see a maker.

Another option, but it require some sort of framework if you don't have a canopy is shrinkwrapping the cab area like a boat. You can have windows and doors with zippers installed too. If it's designed and installed right you might be able to salvage it for next year without cutting if off and destroying it in the process.

Another option is a Weather Brake. I'm niot sure it actually a cab per se, but rather "walls" that suround you and the elements flow over or around you. It's possible that it is also designed for use with or without a canopy. See link below.

TC29D cab
New Holland Tractors
Replies 2 Post by earthwrks

In a pinch youcan use an infrared spotlight shining on the oil pan from below and or on the side of the engine PROVIDING nothing that can melt or catch fire is in harm's way. A few years ago my Dodge's diesel fuel system froze up. The undercarriage was packed with ice after a long day's plowing. My buddies and I made a tent of Visqueen and sealed the bottom of it where it touched the ground with snow then aimed a 40,000 BTU "salamander" heater underneath. 3 hours later it melted.

B7800 Hydraulics jumpy and noisy when cold
Kubota Tractors
Replies 28 Post by earthwrks

Thanks, Mark, that's very useful information.

Studded tire questions from a studless guy
Autos SUV Trucks
Replies 8 Post by kwschumm

Sure seems tight, is there room to run a wrench into the bolts from the side? An open end or box end straight wrench?

Really doubt your bolts are loose but you may be fortunate. Fan is loose and noise coming from it, hard not to be water pump. Unless it is so loose it is rubbing or there is a idler pulley making the noise something else driven by the belt.

water pump bearings
Shibaura
Replies 5 Post by kthompson

I think something else is going on here. I've seen hydraulic systems big enough to do that to an engine but that can't be the case here with this tractor.

stalling
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Art White

I've not heard of a lemon tractor, but I think that's more likely than operator error when this owner is so experienced. Like Korean cars, Kioti has a much stronger warranty than the others, and you can communicate with their technical people through their site.

Kioti Tractor Clutch Steering Hydraulics failure
Kioti Tractors
Replies 11 Post by auerbach

[QUOTE=hardwood;155620] I like Yoper's idea. Yes get rid of the tire fluid, I know iron is pricey, but a leaky tire with fluid you you just don't want. There are tons of nice used mowers on the lots. This time of year I think a dealer would be a bit negocable rather than carry them till spring.Wow, a 200ft. cliff, that is a LONG ways down. Don't think I'd be mowing in the dark.Frank. [/QUOTE]

Yeah, I would also put something in the way like a guardrail to at least give me a chance to jump off of the tractor if I did mow at night and inadvertently got to close to the edge :C

3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by nuruc7

I moved up to a 3520 CAB from the 3320 Cab, as I received advice that with the AC on, and running a 72" MMM, the 3320 might be looking for some additional power. The price diff was not that big and the dealer was ready to deal and so it worked out. I have some slopes that 15 to 25 degrees and so I leaned towards more horses for the Cab unit.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/list.aspx?bcatid=464&PCID=&dlr=&dlrgrp=&GUID=33B99DF878DE4FA2B37B0063DA989733&DidSearch=1&EID=1&CDTS=&CDTE=&ual=0&OAuctions=0&scf=true&scfchange=yes&hdnSCFMode=&pc=37020&MDLGrp=&ETID=1&catid=0&Mantxt=&Mdltxt=3320&mdlx=Contains&DPF=&DPT=&WPF=&WPT=&MPF=&MPT=&PF=&PT=&YF=0&YT=0&EventBD=&EventED=&hrsFrom=&hrsTo=&SN=&DRV=&Name=&CTY=&keywords=&txtStates=&LS=&SO=2&btnSearch=Search

John Deere JD 3320 vs JD 3720 with higher HP
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by nuruc7