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I think the best first thing is to find a dealer you trust. Sorting out your kind of issues and producing happy customers really is their business. I good one will listen and can translate you needs into equipment and cut through all the confusion with very few words.

If what you hear donsn't make sense then maybe another dealer is in order. I would keep in mind that big 3 or 4 manufacturer prices are higher but reliability and support also tends to be better. the higher prices may be worth it especially for people who aren't going to do their own maintenance.

A lot of the answer depends on how good of a lawn you want and the current state of the pasture. Most people who want very good lawns go for fairly small tractors with mid-mowers and end up starting from scratch with a prepared seed bed. Of course the best tractor for that use isn't as good for other work. In general, a 10-acre property can use use a 30hp tractor OK but there should be an ample supply of work other than mowing to keep it busy enough to jsutify the price. I cut two one acre meadows we call lawns with a riding mower. My 24 pto hp tractor would take too long maneuvering around landscapping and out-buildings and would leave too much trimming to do but I have enough heavier work that a smaller tractor wouldn't do very well.

HELP No clue what to get
Operating and Attachments
Replies 11 Post by TomG

I have a JD4700 with plastic hood, fenders, which I think all the 4000's had. Everything is holding up, but i'll comment via pos and neg:
Pos:
1. No rust. my JD1070 was rusting at fender seams, etc even though it saw no salt.
2. Quieter than steel.
3. Holds paint. My JD755 and others had the paint lift off the bare metal. JD didn't believe in primers apparently.
Neg:
1. Poor fit. The 4700 hood, nose, side panels have problems with aligning to each other. The hood doesn't fit over the rubber air inlet tube.
2. Rear fender wiggle. When using the hand grips on the fenders, they bend and sag -- I prefer a solid feel. The fenders are fastened with a couple of bolts and fender washers -- needs additional strength. I like the NH boomers that have their grips attached to the ROPS.
3. Harder to repair.
4. Cheap feel. The cover to the fuse box (under the steering wheel) fits poorly and is poorly constructed.
For years I hated Chysler products because of poor fit, cheap materials on their bodywork and interiors. Apparently their engineers were handsomely rewarded every time they substituted 2 screws to hold something that needed 3.
I see that same trend in some JD products.
jim

When did JD start using composite body panels
John Deere Tractors
Replies 11 Post by Jim on Timberridge

The starter pinion clearance on mine is adjusted by shims. A manual would have procedures and specs. Clearance might be the problem if the shop didn't have the specs.

The problem also could be a weak solenoid or a weak battery, bad cables, dirty terminals or a few other things. Cleaning the chassis end of the ground cable is good.

jd 1050 starter problems
John Deere Tractors
Replies 26 Post by TomG

Somebody around here got a used shipping container a few years ago. I'm not sure of the door width but I've wondered about using one for a tractor. Depends on price, but near as I can figure it might be a cheap, no fuss, no permit solution if not a very elegant one. Probably just plunk one paving stones or something high enough to keep the bottom off the ground and there it is. Of course even if a tractor fit, without side doors one would be lousy for implements.

Tractor Shed Designs Seen any Good Ones
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 15 Post by TomG

I'm not sure when I am going to get it. I'm not really in any rush. I might be going over to Keene today, if I do I'll take another look at the Pumas. I think that is what I will end up getting eventualy. I just have a better feeling about them. If I do get it early I will store it in the garage if I don't have a shed built by then. I don't want to have to stand outside with a hair dryer!

Grinder,
What is Uncle Henry's??

Stephen

What snowblower to get
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 23 Post by sbremm

I hear that in the south pine needles are used and there are even rakes and balers for them. It's because wood chips attract termites.

Around here we're knee deep in needles and the thought of buying them or buying equipment to bale them is a little unusual. Don't use mulch myself, I compost leaves and needles along with garbage etc. in a shallow trench--then it's even more disgusting from some perspective I guess. If I didn't use compost it'd be like trying to grow vegetables on a beach. In our post-glacial area we've got a choice between sand and bedrock. Even though I need the stuff, I wish needles would compost faster or there were less of them. My trench turns into a 4' mount for most of the year.

Mulch Of Choice
Garden and Landscape
Replies 43 Post by TomG

If it is a cold climate you might notice how long it takes the oil light to go off when starting during a cold snap. Some filters have anti-drain back valves and some don't. On my Ford heavier oils in the cold seem to take considerably long for the pressure to come up to normal.
The initial pump flow of 15W oil in 0F starts would be very low.

A lot of engine wear happens during warm up and I figure the faster the pressure comes up the better. Some people with compression releases say they release the compression and run the starter with the throttle shut off until the oil pressure comes up. I've even heard of external oil circulators.

I guess I'm making an argument for lighter oils for really cold climates. Of course, heavy work on very hot days should be avoided when using 30W oil but oils like 5W-40 are available. True synthetics have very good cold as well as hot properties.

Correct wt oil for my Kubota 7100
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by TomG

Realman
I don't think opinions of factory reps. and dealers are what
you looking for?

Branson Vs Century
Other Tractor Brands
Replies 27 Post by grinder

Anybody have experience with a Grand L 5030. It's expensive but I'm thinking of buying one with loader and scraper to do earthwork (roads, grading, clearing, etc.) on very steep topography. I figure I'd need the extra HP or is it overkill and too hard to maneuver?<br>
<br>
I'm getting inconsistent answers as to whether the front end has a differential lock in 4WD, or posi, limited slip or anything other than an open differential. Anybody know?<br>
<br>
And why don't these babies have front brakes?

Grand L 5030 and front end diff lock
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Barba

KW, I changed my profile so you could drop an email if you like. Since we're only a few miles apart, we could compare notes.

Seriously Considering a 4310
John Deere Tractors
Replies 67 Post by Trakorb

AV8R,

I love your Hillary flip-off picture.

Source for after market products
Kubota Tractors
Replies 62 Post by jeff r

Call Dave's Tractor Sales in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He is the guy that designed them with 2 swing cylinders instead of the single cylinder with a chain and has them manufactured in Romania. You probably won't get to talk to Dave but if you talk to his yard foreman, tell him the you saw his Praire Dog painted orange on that guy's Kubota B-2150 that lives in Burton, Michigan. I bought mine from one of his dealers in Armada, Michigan called Van Parmells Equipment since he sold me his last one for dealer cost. If I can dig up a stump the size of the one in my pictures, I'm sure it will handle anything you can throw at it. I am 99.5% sure that the Wood's subframe that fits my B-2150 is the same one that fits your B-2400 and the B-2410.

Kubota B1700 B2400 Backhoe Subframe
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by jeff r

DFKRUG,

They probably got the leaky hydraulic hose fittings fixed by now so you won't have any problems. It was caused by the the people in Romania not getting a good crimp on the end fittings. I had to replace 4 fitting ends both at the hydraulic cylinders and the control tree. I live 7 miles from the guy in Grand Blanc Michigan that designed the Praire Dog and his foreman has been to my house to see the mount I fabricated for the seat since since his mount is totally worthless if the Praire dog is attached to the Tractor with a subframe. It was also the first time his foreman had a seen this hoe attached with a Wood's subframe. On my B-2150 Kubota the seat mount that comes with Praire Dog couldn't be used because it hit the tractor's gas tank because in put the seat and Hoe much closer to the tractor than if one mounted it using the 3 point mount. I also complained about the 12inch bucket teeth 1/2 mount plate that had cold welds that pulled apart from the bucket. I fixed that myself but I dropped the bent i/2 plate with the welds that looked like pealing caulking. They took care of that too but my welding labor wasn't covered but the bent 1/2 thick plate was only 7 bucks.

Overall I have been real pleased and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Working with an engine RPM of 1800, I have worked this hoe to the max and it passes all tests at 2/3s of the cost of comparable hoes. This hoe also has the nicest most comfortable of any I have sat on since you can adjust it for your individual weight.

my very own bachhoe
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 10 Post by jeff r

Chief, I got a Worksaver PTO spreader. It's been doing great spreading sand this winter. It should work fine with clumping stuff like lime and any granular product since it has an agitator (a must have $30 option). Rated at 6bu and cost around $400. The Frontier spreader and a couple of others looked very similar.

Best Fertilizer Spreader For The Money
Operating and Attachments
Replies 21 Post by Wildman1

After lots of research, I've elected to install geothermal. I'm still breaking ground, but have learned a lot. There are a lot of folks on this board with good and bad experience, and they can help you learn a lot. Listen to these guys, because their experiences will help you. I know they helped me be sure to ask the right questions. A bad design/install will definitly cause problems.

I think the installer is the key - 10x more so than your tractor dealer being important. If you want to wing it, you can buy a geothermal system on ebay. If you really want it done right, I think you need a geothermal guy who can properly design your system and guarantee to stand by it. Get it in writing, so you have recourse if the system does not perform as promised. The guy I selected will back his models and designs, predecting my energy usage for the next 2 years. Before I signed, he gave me all the detail on his design for my house, loop temperature assumptions, safety (overage factors) etc. I am installing geothermal sourced radiant that also power AC.

I'll let everyone know how it works in 6 months. But anyway, even in my research and interviews here, I found a vast difference in the quality of geothermal folks. Some are former HVAC guys with a backhoe, and some really know what they are doing. If you soil and loop area aren't just right, you probably ought to have the expensive vertical wells. A good geo guy can tell you this, and make a site evaluation. If he hasn't looked at the soil before selling you a system, you're with the wrong guy.

Good luck. I'm looking forward to cheap bills and good heat, hopefully I've made a good decision.

During my research, I visited a house under construction to view an identical system. a 6 ton unit was heating a 8500 sf house with the front door open(construction workers in/out), comfortably, in 20 degree weather. Had been doing so the entire winter. Their loop field was 6 170' deep bores grouted with a thermally enhanced grout.

Geothermal heating cooling
Home Improvement
Replies 27 Post by HuckMeat

Shhhh,, My new truck I bought has crank up windows, no cd or casset, no power seats no cruise controll rubber floor (no carpeting) "best thing I ever decided not to have" . etc. Gee which trany do you think I bought? Hmmm.
We just got about anouther foot of snow and my tractor is 3 weeks away! LOL.

HST vs Manual and size of tractor
New Holland Tractors
Replies 16 Post by brokenarrow

sorry rookieff_MAVFC at hotmail I am in Mt. Airy, MD I will have it on wed. So i send you some pictures ASAP

BX2230 with FEL 60 MMM and rear grass catcher
Kubota Tractors
Replies 25 Post by itsgottobegreen

I purchased my 2210 last spring, and have been very pleased with it. I have the mid mount 62" deck, and it goes off and on in a snap. The loader does have plently of lifting capacity, and I agree with the previous writer's comments regarding the counter weight. The four wheel drive makes all the difference if your do any digging. I don't think you can go wrong. It's alot of bang for the buck, in my opinion.

JD 430 trade up to 2210
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Davi Doss

First 3 thing you need to know about welders is 1)MILLER 2)MILLER and 3)MILLER Nothing comes close.

If you going to want to weld aluminum you are going to want a miller 210 with the 3035 spool mate. I bought this set up about 1 month ago. By the time you buy a MIller 175, the 3035 spoolmate and spoolmate control box you could for about $300 buy twice the machine. Aluminum feeds at a much higher rate than steel. Most machines can't handle this speed. Plus aluminum is very soft and jams in the gun.

Miller by the way has the best customer support. I had a bad gas valve in my brand new miller 210. Then send me 2nd day air a new valve, regulator and 40 tip of .030 and .035. The i had the district manger call me and asked if the problem was fixed. I will never buy another welder from another manufactor.

views on lincoln 135-plus
Parts and Repair
Replies 21 Post by itsgottobegreen

I have the 4330 with the hoe - Having had it for about 6 weeks, here are some options I got (thrown in) and as mentioned above, a couple I need to add.

Things I had thrown in:

2 sets of wheel weights.
Block Heater (cheap I'm sure).
Free transport for service or on-site service

Things I want to add, should have possibly negotiated for:

Front and rear hydraulic remotes
bucket cutting edge
worklights

Now an option I've not yet seen, but am considering adding:
A radio with waterproof speakers! I end up doing a lot of little hand work with the tractor off, and sometimes a radio would be nice (listen to the game, etc). I know I could just carry a battery powered portable one, but think of how out of control that project could become!

Kubota L48 options
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by HuckMeat