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Is a Ford 1700, 1025 hrs, tiller, rear mower, blade, spreader worth $5000? The tractor runs good and has no apparent problems. It is two wheel drive with manual transmission. I am a little concerned with the age and I still need a loader. I plan to use the tractor for mowing 2+ acres and landscaping work. The owner bought the blade for snow but I think the turf tires spun pretty bad without chains.

advice needed on Ford 1700
Operating and Attachments
Replies 2 Post by james Hawkins

I believe they're is a heavy duty axle kit available from ventrac. But if you use your duals properly you will not have a problem.

Axil problems with Ventrac 4000
Articulated Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Ricky

I need to do some cement and masonary work. I was considering purchasing a PTO cement mixer rather than a stand alone. I have 2 tractors so could allow on to mix and the other to move sand etc. Does any one have any experience with these units. Are the plastic drums any good?

PTO Cement Mixers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 5 Post by Peters

My advise is start slow and learn about what equipment you need. Don't give up you day job until you have the clientel and equipment to cover you.
I have a compact tractor 2 yrs old 4x4 with bucket, low hours, a large tractor, equipment trailers and attachments, but less than 15K invested in all.
If I had to sell every thing tomorrow I would make money. Learn about what equipment you need and shop for the deals. Be patient. Learn how to take care of your equipment, running into the local dealer for everything will only delete your savings.
Finally consider small equipment more suitable to the task. The small tractor I just purchase was from a landscaper that decided to get more into installing irrigation systems. He had found that the tractor was too large around many houses and backyards. He was looking to purchase a Toro Dingo or Ramrod. The Ramrod is less money than the Toro. Everything can be transported on a small trailor and can be pulled with a small pickup.
A friend of mine has one for a stump grinding business has has on the side.

Help for a Newbie
Garden and Landscape
Replies 10 Post by Peters

I have a NH 1220 that does the samething it's got 2800 hours on it.
Don't worry about it.
Tom

gear chatter on new tractor
New Holland Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Tom

Diesel is just a distillate of crude oil. Fraction x which has a boiling point of y if placed in the diesel, fuel oil, kerosene and JP1 streams. Fuel oil is less refined, kerosene and JP1 are more refined to remove more impurities. The composition of the diesel is made of thousands of different chemicals. Each tank of diesel is different in composition, each oil well will produce different diesel. This is how the pollution control can track the source of spills into water ways.
Many wells have high sulfur content this gives diesel high odour. Many petrolium companies are trying to reduce the level of sulfur in diesel.

diesel smell
Parts and Repair
Replies 5 Post by Eric Peters

My 790 does the same, its a characterist of the design of the type of power steering used on the tractor. You will notice that you can turn the wheel when the engine is off, and the wheels will not move, you are just passing hydraulic fluid through the valves.

Hope this helps.

J D 790 changing steering wheel center
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Halsey Green

As Dan suggests filled tires with a low fill adds mass to lower the center of gravity. The wheels do spin out a little and stopping take a little longer but it adds stability and increases traction.
Calcite increases the weight of the water as would salt (NaCl). Basic chemistry the salt dissolves into the water, but does not increase the volume as much as the salt added, therefore the density increases. Salt ions solvate (dissolve) in between the water molecules. The saturated salt solution (CaCl/water) also lowers the freezing point (antifreeze).
Does this increased weight between antifreeze and calcite make a difference to the average compact tractor? Not that you could notice. Note that the car antifreeze will also increase the density over water slightly.
In the south it is difficult to find the calcite to fill the tires, almost everyone uses antifreeze. You can purchase antifreeze that is less toxic rather than polylene glycol based material. We do not need as much in the tires as there are only a few days that are below freezing here. Up north were you reach -30 F I think that calcite would be hard to beat. You are probably throwing salt on the tractor periodically anyway, during snow plowing. Down south were you can get by with a few percent antifreeze? The corrosiveness of the calcite becomes a factor.
You can purchase the filler to hook to the hose so you can fill the tires your self. As stated before little water leaks from a punctured tire but a tire with non-toxic antifreeze could be drained before taking to the shop.

Filled tires vs weights
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 12 Post by Peters

I had to repair my little 3pt backhoe (6'2" digging depth) last year and some of the larger bolts in the repair limited the swing to a less than a full 180 degrees. It wasn't much less, but like Andy says, it turned out to be a real inconvenience until fixed. I've never seen a new hoe that didn't have a full 180 degrees of swing - and wondered why they aren't built with more.
When looking at new backhoes now, the things I am looking for are: heavy duty quality of all pivots and gussets, a smooth controllable swing, a LOT of bucket curl force, and lots of loading height.

JD 650 4wd backhoe
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 12 Post by Roger L.

Since we live a ways from town, we keep gas and diesel in sealed containers in a shed on the back of the property. It is cool and dry in there, and it isn't uncommon for fuel to sit for longer than a year. I always try to use it up before it gets more than a couple of years old. There isn't one bit of difference in how the older fuel works in any machine. I am careful about filtering it when using this fuel, and the containers are sealed tight.

Does brand of diesel fuel make a difference
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by Roger L.

Dom;
It looks like you are getting a lot of press. I guess I can add my 2 cents.
I recently sold a 750 JD 4x with Bush hogg loader, Land Pride finishing mower in good shape and Pitt brush cutter for 8K, 350 hrs. Yes the deals are out there for those that weight.
For hill slopes weight is the key, weight in the tires. Do not over fill leave the weight in the bottom. I had a farm in Kentucky on the hill side and took the 750 over much steeper slopes that the Oliver Super 55 I owed at the time. The Oliver is similar to the Ford but a better tractor for the age.
I know own a JD 955 and a MF 65.
Additionally you will limit your self if you get a tractor with too little HP. Check HD pump power and HP. If you want an all round tractor do not go below ~ 25 hp PTO.
Eric

Looking for advice on a tractor
Operating and Attachments
Replies 19 Post by Eric Peters

Please give prices to central WV on these complete loader kits.

Loader for yanmar
Yanmar Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Roy H. Jones, Jr.

I think the correct word would be assembled in Georgia from components manufactured in Japan & elsewhere.

JD and Yanmar
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by lsheaffer

Gary;
I recently made a change from a JD750 4X with loader to a 950 4X with loader. In the interm I too home a MF 1250 to test 4x with loader. I liked the 1250 and the price, but I found I had less push, for digging than the 750 which is considerally less power and turf tires. The tires on the 750 were filled this made a difference in push and stability. The MF had the industrial tires on it and it did dig into the lawn even with out water. Even with the 750 I had to be carefull with the 4 wheel taking it out on turns.
The 955 does not have the tires filled, but as it is lower tends to have good stability. I have industrial tires on the back and turf on the front. This gives good performance on the grass and better traction in the dirt.
I use a 3 point hitch finish mower and have found it easy enough around the trees. The hydrostatic drive is well worth it as it allows you to slow down around the turns while keeping the mower turning.
I did not remove the loader on the 750 but the 955 I have removed it on occasion for mowing. The 3 pt mower allows you to back under low limbs of trees. I am not sure I would like a belly mower, the 3 pt is much easier to remove.
The 750 is closer to 2500lb + water but the 955 is more like 2000 with out the loader.
Eric

MF 1240-4 too big for mowing
Massey Ferguson Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Peters

Tom thanks for all the time you give me trying to expain. I have a parts manuel ordered but as of now I cannot find a filter for the hydraulics. The lines to and from the 3 ph are both metal and look to be in good shape.
Thanks again......I'll just keep trying
Chuck

Shibaura
Shibaura
Replies 10 Post by Chuck

Sorry, here's the link

Striping Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 10 Post by Tom Fischer

Hillybilly, my JD 4100 pulls a Gearmore flail mower/shredder. Gearmore also sells flail mowers that are not classified as shredders. Mine has nine heavy knives. It not only shreds weeds it shreds branches and larger material (up to 2 inches). In the orchard I drop branches after pruning--and the flail makes them virtually disappear. I do agree with Murf and harvey. There is no collection system, but it cuts down tall weeds in one pass and leaves them "mulched" and spread evenly over the ground. I chose a flail mower/shredder because I wanted to cut the field more like a lawn than a Bush Hog type cut (we use the field as a sandlot ... football & baseball). I have no experience with Bush hog type mowers, but I think the primary difference is the quality of cut.
Best of luck. JonB

flail mower versus rotary mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 4 Post by JonB

Von, remember this is the "golden state." The grass grows golden ... at least once we're in May and the green disappears. LOL. And I doubt they ever see the sunset. Since they're driven by state employees, they probably turn the key off at 4 so they'll be home by 5!

John Deere Orange
Website Operations Howto
Replies 3 Post by JonB

Terry--congrats on the new tractor--you and I (and others) did experience some engineering problems on our earlier tractors that JD had failed in their design or implementation--but which JD eventually upgraded in a satisfactory manner. I recently took delivery of my second 4400 and like you, admired the Boomers, but chose another 4400 Deere for the same exact reasons that you listed. My preference in Boomers was a TC40D, but in reality, it was just too big for my needs which was too bad because it was an excellent value with an excellent design. Like you, I also required that my new Deere come off the assembly line so that all upgrades would have already been made. Thus far, my new Deere (60 inch commercial belly mower, FROPS, 430 Loader, HD bucket, extendable draft links, armored flashers, R-4's, etc.)has met my expectations with a couple of exceptions. The HD bucket appears to be lighter with less steel beneath the top of the bucket, but this time I had grab hooks welded to the mounting brackets. The other issues involve the fenders and the mounting for the floor plate and step plate. On my previous 4400 when I stepped on the step plate, the plate was rock solid, but on the new tractor, when stepping on the step plate, it briefly dropped an inch or more and the fender on that side also briefly dropped. This is because JD went from a tubular support structure to a large 5/16 thick flat steel support structure. The new flat support structure is not small or insignificant--it just doesn't support the step plate and floor as well. Also, on my previous 4400 when I grabbed the hand rail to pull myself up onto the tractor, the fender barely moved, but on the new one when I do this, the fender drops an inch or more. It appears to me that the material used to make the fenders is far more flexible and whether this is bad or good remains to be seen. Also like you, I had some issues with JD on my first tractor, but liked its size and capabilities enough that I was willing to purchase another one (knowing that about 300 changes/improvements had been made) and so far, it has not been a mistake. I guess the only issue with which we differ is our opinions of the 4WD selector lever location--which I don't mind, although it could be in a handier location ala Boomer. Hopefully, you new 4400 and my new 4400 will be as dependable as my Kubotas, one of which went ten years with a total repair bill under ten dollars and never needed an upgrade or visit a dealer's service department. Mike S.

New JD 4400 delivered today
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Mike S.

FYI to all. I have had my 4200 for going on a year. I have a 4200 hydro - turf- frops- with 72 in belly mower. It is a great machine. I am a nut for mechanical details, the 4200 is built like a tank. As far as the power it has it, trick is to understand the HP vs. weight, and also the hyd demand. It is true the 4200 rpm will drop like a rock if your porting all that hyd fluid into the trannie, or any other hyd user. It takes time to learn how to manage the power vs. hyd demand. Bottom line the 4200 is a great machine and all need to look at what tractor will be used for before going for it. I have 7 acres of grass and a 400 yard driveway, I cut with a 72 in mower no pblm, plow snow no pblm, run a 3 pt log splitter at idle, and look forward to driving it. Lastly the one thing I do think is that the 4200 is a major tractor, orange one vibs alot and while it has power, it doesn't ride like the 4200, try it and see. Watch the front axel deal, get the new one. Good luck

Kubota B2910 vs JD 4200
Kubota Tractors
Replies 14 Post by Mowin man