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$Thanks guys. I just wondered if I was missing something. I have 3 jacks at the house but there was no place to use the Hi-Lift and the 2 bottle jacks were just a fraction too short. I didn't try my 4x4 truck jack. That should be high enough to handle it. It was just that in my younger (and stupider) days I had a vehicle come off the jack and one jack slowly disappear into the soft ground even though it was on a piece of wood so I like to be careful when when changing wheels these days. Engaging the 4-wheel drive is a good idea Murf, I never thought of that one. Anyway, thanks for the advice. When it happens I'll be ready.$ Fixing Flats
Parts and Repair
Replies 16 Post by Frank R Taylor

I'm not sure they use the red dye in Texas where I live. The diesel we use at the farm and the stuff I buy at the filling station for my truck doesn't seem to have it added. When I worked in Wyoming they added it to all fuel that was tax exempt, ie. all fuel that was for ag use or industrial (oil rigs etc.). Up there if the cops stopped you, they could dip your tank and could physically see if you were using the cheaper tax exempt fuel in your private vehicle. Other places might do it differently but basically it's an easy means to see if you are cheating the Treasury.

Diesel Fuel
Parts and Repair
Replies 16 Post by Frank R Taylor

Wheel weights would seem to be the logical answer but I never have understood why they are so expensive. Handling loaded tires with a flat is a real pain. I've had to do it on the farm tractors and basically you have to drain the tire before you can do anything with it and since the flat is on your tractor, you've lost the use of the FEL. Neither CaCl2 or antifreeze are pleasant to handle or leave lying on the ground for the reasons TomG mentioned. My local dealer will plug an ag tire for $4 if you bring it in so I've never considered trying to do it myself. I've not decided what I'm going to do. I suppose I'll just have to bite the bullet and spend the money on weights but it sure goes against my Scottish nature.

Compact tractor sizing
Operating and Attachments
Replies 15 Post by Frank R Taylor

I had a good friend who was getting out of the part-time farming business. When I was over there I looked at his Belarus with a view of moving up to a bigger tractor but he refused to even discuss selling it to me. He said he was really glad he didn't get rid of his old, old MF because he had trouble keeping the Belarus working and that it was a really hard machine to sit on all day because it was so rough to ride and operate. I didn't go into too many details but his general opinion of the Belarus was not good. I don't know if this second hand opinion will help much. They are a lot less expensive and if you don't stress them too much they will probably do the job but this may be one of those times that you do get what you pay for.

To Belarus or not to Belarus
Belarus
Replies 28 Post by Frank R Taylor

I use a Befco, 60", C50 series rear discharge mower and can't complain about its performance. I had a problem with it windrowing the grass cuttings when it got too wet or tall but I installed a mulching kit and that cured it. It did mean that I had to mow a little slower than I did before but not too much. On the whole, I've been happy with it but my experience with other makes and models is limited.

rear mount rear discharge finish mowers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 15 Post by Frank R Taylor

i forgot to add that if you have big equipment come in to build your pond, have them remove the trees on your garden area as well. They might even throw it in for free since they are there anyway. Removing tree stumps with a FEL and backhoe on a compact tractor is not the easiest of things to do. It's time comsuming, hard work, not to mention potentially dangerous to you and the tractor. I've done it a couple of time with a borrowed machine (no backhoe on mine) and it's never easy. I think it's much better to spend your time doing the fun stuff like digging and planting your garden than beating yourself and your equipment to death.

Digging farm pond
Tractor Projects
Replies 21 Post by Frank R Taylor

I'd like to thank everyone for their help and recommendations from last year when I posted asking for advice on the purchase of a tiller for my B2400. I took delivery last week of a Kuhn EL32/130, 50" tiller and so far I love it. This is a lot easier than fighting with that 25 year old Troybilt. I turned over last years garden in about 15 minutes. Since then I've made the first pass on approximately another acre. The only problems I can forsee is being able to afford all the seed for the larger garden and running out of ground to turn over. Still, I do have a 10 acre pasture that could use some renovation. I wonder how well it'll work on steep hills? <br>has anyone done any contract tilling and is there a market for it?

Tillers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 3 Post by Frank R Taylor

Tough one Mike. Like Bird, I went from a riding mower (JD 318) to a 24 horse Kubota with 5', 3-pt mower 2 summers ago. I also have approximately 30 or so "obstacles" to mow around and lots of edging along fences in about 2-1/2 acres of garden and I don't think I would change back but sometimes, when I'm in a hurry, I do wish for the convenience of a belly mower. They are a little trickier to use because of the increased length and I have wiped out a bottom rail of fencing or two making a turn too fast. I think that in your position, and depending what else you have to do with the tractor, ie. do you have to remove the mower often to do other things or need the ground clearance?, I would be inclined to stay with the belly mower but it's not an easy choice. In the end, I think it comes down to personal preference and what you feel most comfortable with. I know, this isn't much help but let us know what you decide.

going from belly mower to rear mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 8 Post by Frank R Taylor

I've got a B2400 - great little machine. As the others have said, the 4-wheel drive engages/disengages by moving a lever on the right hand fender. I looked at the bi-speed when I bought mine a couple of years ago. After a long discussion with the dealer, I decided against it. As the dealer said, "It's just something else to possibly go wrong", although he admitted that he had never had to repair any. I drove tractors with and without and it seems to work pretty well but the hydro transmission makes it so easy and fast to back up to make sharp turns that I decided not to get the bi-speed. I suppose if you really had a need for it, lots of turns in 4-wheel drive or working in tight spaces, it might be useful but under normal circumstances I don't think it's necessary.

2410 4X4 SYSTEM
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Frank R Taylor

Thanks for the advice. After all you've said, I think I would feel more comfortable with the brakes hooked up and functioning. I don't tow any great distance, probably 10 miles maximum but I'd hate for my stupidity to cause someone else grief. I wouldn't be too happy if it caused ME any grief either. My truck is already set up with an electric brake controller in the cab as it was used to pull a 5th wheel. All I have to do is convert the 7-pin blade connector in the bed to a 6-pin and run it back to the trailer. I don't know what condition the trailer brakes are in but we will find out here shortly. Sounds like a nice piddling job for the Christmas season if the weather would just warm up a bit. That ground still gets mighty cold, even in Texas. Once again, thanks for the help and advice. I don't know what I'd do without this board.

trailer sway
Parts and Repair
Replies 13 Post by Frank R Taylor

Murf, you're getting cynical in your old age but since I agree with you, maybe we're both OK and the rest of the world just hasn't woken up to the fact yet. The other area where price gouging is rampant is anything to do with swimming pools. I recently replaced a pool cleaner. This plastic "marvel" couldn't have cost more that $80 to manufacture but the price was an unbelievable $550. I wish there was something we could do about inflated prices besides filling in the pool and getting rid of my tractor. The first, my wife won't let me do and the second I won't let her do so I guess it's stalemate and we just have to accept it.

Turf tires and or rims for turf tires
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by Frank R Taylor

I know it's tough to lose by such a slim margin but I think it's time for him to blow his nose, wipe his tears and ride off into the sunset, hopefully on a Kubota. Had to get it in somewhere.

John Deere Owner opinion poll
John Deere Tractors
Replies 26 Post by Frank R Taylor

Dan, I replied to your post but it seems to have got lost in a black hole somewhere. The others covered the subject well. The box scraper will do what you want to do and is a simple piece of equipment but I found it hard to use really well until I got a lot of practice. I'm still not an expert. The problem is that uless your land is level to begin with your back wheels act as a fulcrum. As the front wheels start up a slope, the box scraper tends to dig in deeper and as you crest a rise and the start down a slope, the scraper tends to lift out of the ground. You spend a lot of time looking back at the scraper and riding the 3-pt hitch depth adjustment. It can get hard on the neck after a while but it is a useful piece of equipment.

box scraper
Operating and Attachments
Replies 8 Post by Frank R Taylor

Ihave a B2400 (24hp) and I'm going to be extending my garden over the winter and spring. My Christmas present to me this year will be a 48"/50" tiller (the wife doesn't know yet) but I'd like to know if it would be better to try to plow the ground before tilling or go straight to the tiller. The ground itself isn't too heavy but there is a 3" thick hardpan layer about 6" below the surface which breaks up into rocks when I use the walk behind tiller and makes it pretty hard work. Any help or advice would be appreciated before I start.

plows
Operating and Attachments
Replies 14 Post by Frank R Taylor

You'll never know how close to the mark you are. The only things I would take issue with are that I never wanted to own a RV and the corvette was a Mustang GT convertible, the Lincoln was a Cadillac and the Simplicity was an old JD 318. Man, you're good.

NH TC40D vs JD 4400
Articulated Tractors
Replies 20 Post by Frank R Taylor

Let's try and put this in perspective. Both the Kubota and NH are good machines. The extra weight of one over the other, if it actually exists, doesn't always translate into additional "ruggedness" as the Kubota is as tough as they come. For the approximately $2,500 price difference between comparable machines you can afford to add a lot of weight to the Kubota - filled tires, wheel weights, front/rear weights, etc. Weight is one of those things that you can always add on but can't always take off - my waistline will restify to that. So, the answer would seem to pretty simple, buy the Kubota, if traction is a problem (which I don't think it will be) - add weight, save $2,500. If the cash savings isn't all that important, send check to me at .........

Kubota vs NH how important is weight
Kubota Tractors
Replies 10 Post by Frank R Taylor

I think Ted gave some sound logical advice. The best I have seen in some time. I've never owned a Cub but they are fairly popular around my area. In fact my Kubota dealer sells both and he says that for what most people want a compact tractor for, the Cub is all the machine that they need. I would have thought that for $17K, you could get a new hydro Cub with FEL, shredder and blade quite easily (the shredder and blade aren't too expensive depending on type and manufacturer) possibly with enough left over to get a good used tiller (expensive). It'll be close though. Happy haggling.

NH vs Cub Cadet
New Holland Tractors
Replies 11 Post by Frank R Taylor

Like the two previous posters said, it shouldn't be a problem. The only time it might struggle a bit is if you have some really steep slopes to cut but with the hydro you can "feather" your up and over them.

B21 TLB and rotary cutter
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Frank R Taylor

I was in the exact same position 18 months ago, only it was a JD318 that I was looking to trade in. I looked at the 455 but like you said it was still a garden tractor and dressed up with attachments it was close to the 4100 in price. Close enough that it was a no brainer really. In the end I went with a Kubota B2400 because of the long delivery times on the 4100 back then (and problems with the dealer's attitude) and have never regretted it. With a 5' rear discharge, 3pt mower it initially cut my mowing time for a 2 acre+ yard with lots of trees, roughly in half. Since then I have installed a mulching kit which has slowed me down a little but it is still faster than with the 318.

Mowing with a JD 4100
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 5 Post by Frank R Taylor

Bill, checked out the web page ... it's great. Don't know why you need a tractor. That boy looks strong enough to pull a one bottom plow on his own.
Never been there and never done that (well not quite that bad) but it does make getting down from the tractor easy though, doesn't it? ... just step right off and walk away.

Picked up TC29S Links to photos
New Holland Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Frank R Taylor