Tractorpoint Search for

tractorpoint.com - The leader in Tractors from Compacts, to Utility, to Full Size Tractors! Kubota, John Deere, New Holland, Kioti, Case/IH, and Others. Keywords=Compact Tractor, Kubota Tractors, Kioti Tractors, JD, John Deere Tractors, New Holland, Case Boomer, Used Tractors, Classifieds, Dealer Directory, Tractor Pictures / Images

parts | discussion | photos | podcast | reviews | specs | dealers | classifieds | contact | faq | myProfile | home Login Now | Sign Up

Search for =

Topic

Here are a couple more tips.

Try adjusting the attitude of the cutter. In some conditions, they will cutt better if the front of the cutter is about 1"to 2" lower than the rear. And sometimes it works the opposite. It just depends.

There are a few different styles of blades for some cutters, try finding a set of high-lift blades.

Reduce tire pressure in the tractor tires. But first , make sure you have a high enough PSI for the load it is carrying.

Mow when the material is wet. I know this is backwards for a lawnmower, but my expeirience has proven this effective.

Shredder Cutting Uneven
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by MRETHICS

Here is an update on the situation.

All repairs except the wireing have been completed. The tractor looks and runs fine.

The customer is getting nervous, his 30 day rental expires Friday, and he needed an answer.

Our Service Manager, and myself, met with the Insured, the insured's Agent, and the Adjuster, late yesterday via a confrence call. All our diligance has payed off.

We have to order a few of the parts we now need to complete the job, and will not have it ready Friday.

To give us time to complete the repairs. I offered the Adjuster another 30 day rental, and alerted him that in our rental agreements, we issue credit if the tractor is turned in in less than 21 days. At that time, we deduct charges for each unused day, provideing the tractor has less than the maximum hours for the days of use. Judgeing by the customers past use, he should be below this number.

Adding another 30 day rental to the tab (probably less), and the complete repair estimate, we are now about 1/2 value of the tractor. (2000 model 4400 hydro, 430 FEL w/4 in 1 bucket, 483 hrs.) Total repair est. with rental fees comes to about $7400

The adjuster agreed. Now everyone is happy. He told us that some of our suggestions proved to him we were not just "padding" the bill. Which was his fear, I guess.

No arrests have been made yet, probably just a prank. Sombody had guts though. Pedals were in the Neutral position, cruise control was not locked, operator presence system on the seat was operational once cleaned and tested. The key was in the "off" position.

The tracks entering the lagoon, when found, ran from east to west, and the tractor was found farther from the edge than anyone thinks it would roll. Lagoon level had only dropped a foot or so when it was spotted by workers.

I dunno, somebody had some dirty cloths. Like I've said, we've seen tractors in lagoons before. But usualy failure to apply a parking break was the cause, and given the soft bottom of the pit, they only roll a few feet.

Thanks for all the help guys!!

Up S T Creek Need paddle
Parts and Repair
Replies 20 Post by MRETHICS

I would use a synthetic blend
In my own equipment at home. I use Sheaffer's brand 15w-40 supreme 7000. It exceeds Deere's specs.

Do not tell my boss! The Torque-gaurd sold at Deere Dealers is an excelent product.

In my own stuff, I use what I do, because I feel it is better. And I have the oil analysis records to prove it. What this means is, it is just not my freaking opinion. I have hard evidence to back this up. Years of it.

Mr Ethics a question for you
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by MRETHICS

Another thing one must consider when talking about service intervals, is time measurement.

In an old cable driven tachometer, engine hours were not racked up as fast when the engine did not operate at full rated RPMs.

In an electric model, the hourmeter is counting at full speed, when the engine is running.

Most new equipment has electric hour meters.

I first noticed this when my father and I were cultivating soybeans. He had a new 4455 John Deere w/ electric hourmeter, and I was running my old trusty 4020, with the old cable driven unit. We ran side by side. And started and stopped at the same times each day.

By chance, both tractors were almost due for an oil change before we started, and we decided to go ahead and do the P.M. Saterday afternoon, and we could hit the fields early Monday morning.

After after six long days, my dad made a comment, when we had stopped for a break late Saterday afternoon. "66 hrs. in six days, not a bad week for an old man. Fir some reason, I looked at my tach when I jumped back on the seat and noted mine read only 44 Hrs. for the week. Mon. Morning, I was on the phone with the dealer complaining the new tractor's hourmeter was off. He then explained the descrepancy.

This is one factor that is often overlooked. How our time is measured.

Synthetic Oil Shell Rotella
Parts and Repair
Replies 78 Post by MRETHICS

Don't do it!! Your tractor and FEL are not big enough. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, and please do not kill the messanger.

But if you do decide to try this anyway, make sure you have protection to keep the bale from rolling off the back of the forks, and killing your childrens father.

Ballast that tractor butt!!! and keep the weight as low as possible, so your wifes's husband does not topple over and kill himself.

Make sure the ROPS is in place, and use your seatbelt.

Consider other options mentioned in the replies to your post. You asked for advice, and you have lot's of good advice. Now, it's up to you to decide what to do. And remember:

The opinions posted on this board are not neccissarily the opinions of the members or management on this board. Opinions posted on this board, are for the most part, based on facts and expeieriance of both trained and untrained profesionals, your results may very. Void where prohibited by law. Past performance does not garrauntee future results, people can, and do lose money, life or limbs. These opinions are subject to change without notice. No
purchase necassary.

Again.....seriously...Don't do it!!!!

420FEL pallet forks
John Deere Tractors
Replies 12 Post by MRETHICS

The thrill of the chase, is what makes us rock and roll, and it also makes dogs chase cars.

Rubber hoses to seperate, I've seen it many times, in two situations more han others.

The hose had been relaced at one time, and the wrong type hose, that was not resistant to oils.

Improper procedure when replaceing the hose. It was either kinked, or sometimes a screwdriver is driven between the hose and the barb , peircing the inner linning of the hose.

The filter in question may not be dented from an external force, it could have collapsed due to a vacume if the filter was between the hose and pump inlet.

Sometimes a hose inner sepparation will only cause a problem when flow volume reaches a certain point. Letting fluid flow freely to the pump, untill the pump is turning.

A pump operating under a slightly below normal intake flow minimums, will seem to work fine. Increased wear will occur, and the inner hose sepparation will only get a little worse. Finnaly, the the wind slams the door shut. and nothing will work. If the door was slammed shut in time, minimal pump wear will have occured.

I am no Ford expert, it could still be something else.

A cracked inlet tube would cause the same draw problem. Due to lack of facilities, the 'ole bucket and hose test may be the simplest diagnostics you can perform.

Just my thoughts...and GOOD LUCK!!

Hydrolic malfunction
Parts and Repair
Replies 26 Post by MRETHICS

I dunno Tom, What your neighbor missed about owning one, is a mystery to me. They are IMHO, out dated equipment. Even a brand new one. To much time spent on maintinance.

I've clipped many acres in my life with them, and my estimate on up time wouldn't be much higher than 50%.

Back in 1980 or '81, The USDA had a subsidy program that left 50% of our corn acres idle for one year. On the idled acres, a cover crop was to be sewn. My father chose to sew yellow sweet clover. This stuff will get as tall and rank as anything you could imagine, but it's a darned good remedy for compaction and a few other problems.

This created about 500 acres to mow with a SBM, On his farm, and the rest of our family's which he rented. Buying a rotary cutter was just too expensive for him. Espeacialy when you have a teenager around to do the mowing.

500 acres with a 7 footer, once near the end of June, and again in mid August. I was no more than done with the first clip, when it was time to start again.

While my knowledge of the workings of a sickle bar also come from flexible platforms to harvest soybeans and wheat,I know more about sickle mowers than I want too.

I don't think you could pay me to take one.

Sickel bar mower knives and guards
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 5 Post by MRETHICS

That's possible, I've also lack of use cause the slideing parts of the latch mechanism become corroded and it will not work well. A little WD 40 should do the trick. I am a dealer salesman, and will admit I have ever seen these apart, but have read a few work orders on the subject, that described your problem.

Cruise control on 4300
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by MRETHICS

Whoa.......I wasn't born until '63. The first few grey hairs did not appear in my beard until a few months ago.

My great Uncle was a Deere dealer, My Dad, was on the farming side of the family.

While I have always been a John Deere fan (like I had another choice in a family like that, My history of John Deere was not all witnessed. While I caan remeber events and changes that happened as early as 1970, my interest in there history was not aquired until I was hired here a few years ago. It is not the store my great uncle ran. That one has long been gone. But, when I was hired, I boned up on the companies past. It wasn't required, but I felt I wanted to know this company.

What I've learned will be of no monitary value I guess, unless I suddenly find myself on the game show "Jeopardy" and there is a category called...oh I don't know...uh..."Let's plow through it"

Tractor History Question
Antique Tractors
Replies 24 Post by MRETHICS

Hey Jeff,

Watch out for falling trees.

Jeff r got his backhoe
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by MRETHICS

Simply put, a Long Beach Ice tea, is a Long Island Ice Tea, but replace the Cola with Cranberry juice. My Wife like's them.

I hear they are a popular drink in Key West and San Francisco. Maybe JeffR hangs out there some.

I know how to make 'em, and the kind of folks who drink 'em.

But I ain't buyin' yet.

you get what you pay for
Kubota Tractors
Replies 51 Post by MRETHICS

TomG raised some good points. (as per usual)

If you do decide to use the "Rodeo". Assumng you can legaly purchase it where you live, make sure you follow the instructions within it's label. Take all precautions when handleing and applying the chemical, and safely dispose of the container when empty.

Take, in particular,speacial attention to the products re-entry statments, and safe fishing statements.

Proper storage of the unused portion is also important. Don't keep what's left in an unmarked pkg in the kitchen cabinates next to the flour.

Cattail removal
Tractor Projects
Replies 21 Post by MRETHICS

We only sold a few of that model here, the compact market had not hit this area yet do to lack of urban sprawl.Things are different around here these days for sure.

We haven't put a clutch in one yet,and they all have 900hrs+ to my knowledge. I could give you a clutch price, but would have no Idea what kind of labor is involved without doing some digging.

TomG's estimate of "not cheap" is as close as I will get, unless you feel your dealer is hoseing you on parts. Then I'll be happy to compare prices for you.

1070 clutch replacement
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by MRETHICS

This could be a tough one, or very simple but let's give it a try.

First check the gas cap to be sure it is venting.

I've also had, on one occasion, U-joints in the driveshaft connecting the eng, to the trans were failing, and yet no funny noises could be heard. I was there myself to wittness this, or I would never have believed it.

If those are not the culprit. Then I need some more info. A compression test would be nice.

John Deere losing power when warm
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by MRETHICS

John Deere has mfgd. Larger ag tractors for many years with mfwd that automaticly disengages whe a brake single break is applied, or the tractor is traveling at high speed. When the tractor is traveling at high speeds, and BOTH brakes are applied, the front axle is automaticly engaged to increase traction during brakeing.

They have not incorporated this into the compact line,and I don't know if they plan too.

They have no diff lock on the front axles of ag tractors with mfwd or compacts yet either.

The large 4wd articulated tractors there is a frt and rear dif lock option.

As an old hand at driveing tractors, I don't know if I would want front dif lock on something with an FEL. The spinning wheel is a way to save some gears and bearings. dureing FEL work, sometimes the load on the front wheels spinninggreatly increases i a split second. thus putting extreme load on the driveline. Something has to give sometimes.

Yes, they could increase the strength of the driveline, but this ads weight and cost. To even offer this option, the costs could be great.

I know Kubota does it on just the M's so maybe it is not so far fetched.

Lamborghini
Other Tractor Brands
Replies 17 Post by MRETHICS

Without disassembly of the joint, use the following solution.

Spray ether on the joint to get it as clean as possible.

Then, get bar of Ivory soap. Take the bar of soap, and rub it in the area of the leak. You can do this without takeing the connection apart. Rub hard and shove that soap into the crack where the pipe and the fitting meet. Do this completely around the entire jount.

This should work if repeated every few days untill the tank is empty. Then a more permanent solution, like say teflon tape, can be used.

A bar of parrifin wax will work just as well.

A slice of bread or two wraped around the fitting containing powdered (not granulated) sugar and then pressed in the joint with a hammer and piece of soft wood will also work.

Diesel fuel pipe joints
Parts and Repair
Replies 16 Post by MRETHICS

Yea Peters, I know what you mean. I asked that question 20 years ago.

Turns out that TomG and Billy are both correct. and there is one more thing.

Some of these plugs, are made with pin holes to keep leaked oil inside the plug when it is attached, from warming in the sun, and building pressure high enough to "pop it off"

Two old farmer tricks I use is keeping a can of ether in the toolbox. I know it's expensive, amd flamable, but it makes great solvent to clean the plugs and the couplers without damaging the rubber. I only use it when they are extremly dirty. I also keep rags in there in a coffee can that I keep moist with deisel fuel for the less extreme cases.

Hydraullic line plugs
Parts and Repair
Replies 9 Post by MRETHICS

there are alot of things to consider in your question.

How much time do you have?

What do you plan on doing with the property?, A house?

Is there any other dirt work that will need to be done to complete the project?

in my area of NW Ind. a project like that would be at least
4K depending on tree size and no.s

Cost to Clear 4 acres
Tractor Projects
Replies 4 Post by MRETHICS

In my expeirience, I severly doubt that your tractor is beg enough for an 84" grooming mower.

These things seem to pull harder than a midmount. They usually have a faster blade tip speed than a MMM, also, usually they have some deflectors under the deck to help spread out cut material more evenly. Both of these are probably the HP eaters.

There is no more of a worthess feeling than being underpowered with a mower, any mower. In that situation, all you can really do is slow down. Raising the mower and making two passes won't do much good, you still have the cut material fron the previous pass to deal with, which also takes HP.

If you have to slow down much to run the larger mower, why spend $1 or more for that privlage?

7 foot finish mower HP needed
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 5 Post by MRETHICS

Good points about the ZTR mower. We sell alot of these. But with cautuion. They have some limitations, just like any other machine.

The biggest problem they have is sidehill operation.

If your slopes are too steep, such as around a pond or along your road or drive, the ZTR can be a little tough to control. In some instances, the simply cannot be used to mow these areas. Before I recomend a ZTR, I try to learn the customer's terrain.

Another salesman here, took a John Deere M653 out on a demo last year, after about 30 min. of mowing, he made a sale. It was late in the day, on a Sat. and he needed to get home, so they elected to come in Monday afternoon and do the formalities of paperwork. These were local folks, and this practice is not uncommon to our dealership.

After he left, they drove the new mower over to the neighbors to show off. There own lawn is flat as table, but the neighbor's has a small stream running through the property, and, you guessed it. While mowing the bank of the stream, it started heading down toward the water. Every time they moved, closer to the water it went. The stopped short of getting water in their ear, and left it there 'till Mon. A.M. and then gave us a call.

No harm, No foul. But, it was a good lesson to the other salesman, who usually is very good. He will never forget to leave that information out of his "pitch" again.

Decision Time X595 vs 4010 vs 4110
John Deere Tractors
Replies 23 Post by MRETHICS