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I have pulled lots of logs with my JD 4310 using a flat drawbar with chainhooks between the two lift arms of the 3ph. I wrap a chain around the end of the log, attach the chain ends to the chain hooks, lift it just a few inches off the ground, and skid it right out. I have been able to skid some very large logs without much trouble. However, I move very slowly and pay close attention to the tractor and log, because of the possibility of problems as stated in this thread. Be careful.

Pulling Logs with 4110
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Ardician

I bought a product called "Copper Brown" at Home Depot to spray on the underside of my shop. It is a serious wood preservative that contains strong pesticide/fungicide/mildewcide to inhibit rot with ground contact. I think it would be great for dipping.

posts for retaining wall
Garden and Landscape
Replies 5 Post by Ardician

For a tale of what not to do with your 4310, see my "Rollover Story" on the Safety discussion board.

Rookie Advice
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Ardician

When I was about 8 years old there was a boy in town a little older than me (maybe 10) who was killed when he fell off the back of his grandfather's tractor while his grandfather was bushhogging. A very gruesome result.

Was I really seeing this dangerous act
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 17 Post by Ardician

Now, the rest of the story... My dealer called Friday to tell me the damage would be $850 to repair, and I have a $500 deductible. An expensive lesson.

Rollover Story
Parts and Repair
Replies 13 Post by Ardician

I gotta get thru paying the IRS first. Don't get me started about that. Anyway, after I recover from that big hit, I may go ahead with the purchase.

Need a grapple rake for my FEL
Operating and Attachments
Replies 36 Post by Ardician

Makes good sense, Beagle, but I think I'll let this first time pass. I used to change the oil in my old VW years ago before I could afford to pay someone else, but I don't think I want to do it this time. The manual-recommended service includes several things I don't have basic knowledge about nor do I have the proper tools (i. e., "Check and clean rockshaft control valve filter"). How much should I expect to pay?

Ready for fifty-hour service
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by Ardician

Freezing is not a problem here. Rarely ever remains below 32 degrees for a whole day. I thought there may be other reasons to add something else to the fill...like maybe to increase the weight or protect against corrosion.

JD 4310 purchase - Loaded Tires or not
John Deere Tractors
Replies 21 Post by Ardician

I used to work for a hydroseeding company in the Northern Virginia and Maryland area. It works great there. Here in South Alabama I never see it being done. I don't think our climate (and grass type) is good for this. I suspect that would be the case in your area too.

Hydro Seeding
Garden and Landscape
Replies 3 Post by Ardician

I have last years JD 4310 and love it. Have about 40 hours on it with absolutely no problems. The Yanmar starts immediately every time. I was sold the 420 loader and I didn't get the ehydro model, but I also got a 5' bush hog (not a JD), and my total price was about three grand less than what you were quoted. Maybe you should shop around. I got about twelve hundred knocked off the first quote after I looked at the comparable orange tractor and reported back to the JD man the deal I was quoted. Don't underestimate a good feeling for the dealership, however. May be worth a little more in up front money to have a good local dealer backing you. Good luck.

4310 pricing
John Deere Tractors
Replies 15 Post by Ardician

I have a JD 4310, which I would recommend, but the size may be a problem with your gate. Can you easily enlarge your gate?

Tractor size
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 8 Post by Ardician

Mine went smoothly. I was "out" and didn't feel a thing. That was the only way I would agree to do it and highly recommend having it done in that manner. By far the worst part of the experience was drinking the super-laxitive potion the day before and purging all day long. My doctor examined one clean colon, I guarantee! Good luck to you on yours.

Colonoscopy Tuesday how did your s go
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 32 Post by Ardician

I have a friend that has one. He loves it, but it does look quite odd to see him pull in to a parallel parking place. He has nothing but good things to say about it.

Chevy GMC 4 wheel steer picups
Autos SUV Trucks
Replies 5 Post by Ardician

I had a similar decision to make about seven years ago. My wife and I had to decide whether to move to my very small hometown for my career or to stay in a larger city where she is from and start my new profession there. She was doubtful about the small town life because of the lack of conveniences and cultural things, etc., and also worried a bit about the school situation and our social life. To get to the point, we sat down and actually made a "pro and con" list about each option. This exercise really helped us communicate our feelings to each other and helped analyze the problem. In the final analysis, the pros outweighed the cons for the move to the small town. We both now agree that it was definitely the right decision, and we are both glad that we made the choice. Even though it was a little scary to make a change (especially for her), changes are what make life better. I suggest that you and your wife discuss the pros and cons carefully, and do what makes sense in that analysis. If the exercise points toward making the move, set aside your natural fear of the unknown and trust your good common sense. Good luck.

Moving
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 25 Post by Ardician

My climate (Alabama) is different from yours, but I have never had a rot problem with PT lumber in ground contact. The new formula is an unknown, but I think it will perform comparably. I have used it for a fence, and my biggest complaint is the corrosiveness -- you must use double galvanized or stainless fasteners. I don't have freeze-thaw worries, or frost heave, but I imagine you have less termite and other organic problems to deal with. The biggest threat to PT lumber in my experience is the effects of UV radiation from the sun, which won't be a factor in your application. I think if you dig your holes deeply enough to get below the frost line by eighteen to twenty-four inches, put a little gravel in the bottom, set the poles or posts, fill with concrete up to the frost line, then fill the rest of the hole with gravel, you will have a trouble free arrangement that will last indefinitely. You must have good compacted or undisturbed soil under the gravel under the post and good drainage away from the building perimeter. My guess (I'm no engineer) about the load is that it would be wise to have the holes, and thus the concrete around the posts, be two to three times the diameter of the posts. Also, I wouldn't rely much on the lateral force resistance of this arrangement unless you use either cross-diagonal bracing or sheathing to prevent racking. This may sound like a lot of work, but I think it is still less trouble than other options. I am assuming that you are not going with beams, floor joists and plywood subflooring. If you are, then I have a great design that uses no PT lumber. Let me know and I will share it.

Treated wood question
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 14 Post by Ardician

I built a mahoghany interior ladder (sort of a nautical style) for my kids' playhouse and added these adhesive backed grip strips to the treads, which work great. I can't remember the brand but I bought them at Lowe's or Home Depot. They are precut strips that come in various lengths, are about one inch wide and have rounded ends. They are black in color and made out of a sort of rough grit, very durable kind of sandpaper and are peel-and stick. Not only do they virtually eliminate slippage, but they have served to protect the finish on the treads from any discernable wear and tear. I put them very near (but not exactly on) the front edge of the treads, where it seemed to me that the most natural foot trafic would bear. You may have to use more than one per tread for stairs. My treads don't have polyurethane but were nonetheless quite slick from the fine sanding and tung oil finish that I applied. Your pine stairs would probably benefit greatly from a good coat of poly. Good luck.

basement pine wood steps
Home Improvement
Replies 20 Post by Ardician

The decision that I made to use OSB as interior wallcovering in my workshop was not profit motivated, but I admit that it was cost motivated. I don't have the worries that have been noted about vapor barrier interference or swelling from moisture because I am just using it inside. In my climate, I would not use it outside the walls or ceiling.

OSB Price
Home Improvement
Replies 29 Post by Ardician

I bought my compact tractor about three and a half months ago, and had much the same question in my mind since I knew nothing about tractors. I just went to four different dealers nearby (and not so nearby) to get some hands-on time with different models. I looked at New Holland, Kubota and John Deere. I had a good feeling right away from the nearby John Deere dealer, and really liked the 4310. However, the larger (but further-away) Kubota dealer had a better price by a $1000 for a comparable model with similar implements. When I telephoned the JD dealer and told him this fact, he dropped his price by twelve hundred. I signed the papers later that day and have never regretted it.

Drive them and get a feel for their differences to see what feels right to you, and definitely go with the dealer that feels right. Good Luck!

New Tractor Survey
Everything and Anything
Replies 54 Post by Ardician

I know its been a long time since you posted your question about "red-tips", but I just ran across it. I live in south Alabama and have bushes called "red tops". The bushes is the left background of your pic number 3 look a little like my red tops. Are they the same thing? Anyway, my red tops are almost indestructibe, can be pruned anytime and in any manner and just keep growing back. Right now they are about twelve feet tall and serve us well as a screen between us and our neighbor.

red tip s
Garden and Landscape
Replies 3 Post by Ardician

I have the 2003 4310 and its great. I don't have ehydro and my loader is the 420, but I have no complaints. You will love it.

2003 4310
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Ardician