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You might take a look at an s-tine cultivator for this. If the weeds are already a foot high, it's probably too late, but is something to consider in the future, or after mowing.

Implement for weed control removal
Operating and Attachments
Replies 18 Post by Stan in Calif

$fractal- Thanks for the info on the Gearmore PHD- after pricing the JD unit, I was planning to go cheapo because this implement will be used only occasionaly- I was even looking at the one that Northern offers- it is made in USA. But if I can get a genuine Gearmore for the price you mentioned, I'll go that way. Like Mark says, we don't hear much about Gearmore here, probably because it's not available back east, but for us out west I think it is wise to see what Gearmore offers before shelling out for any implement. My understanding is that Gearmore is not a manufacturer, but a jobber, and they seem to be very careful about putting their name on a product- the Danuser connection substantiates that. At present, my only Gearmore implement is a GR300 ripper, which is very stout and well designed, but when I finally get around to getting to a compact, most of the implements will be from Gearmore.$ Post-Hole Digger Recommendation-Kubota BX2200
Operating and Attachments
Replies 14 Post by Stan in Calif

Ed, there are weatherproof switch covers available to fit standard toggle and push button switches. They are made of rubber and have a threaded metal base that screws on to the shaft of the switch. A good auto/truck parts store should have them. - Stan

Mounting lights to ROP
Parts and Repair
Replies 10 Post by Stan in Calif

A salesman was telling me the other day that most of the rotary tillers are made in Italy. - Stan

caroni rotary tillers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 4 Post by Stan in Calif

Rats like plastic. I've had them chew up wiring, pvc fittings, and containers, esp. those containing delectable ingredients such as tung oil, even loctite. The only way I know is to eliminate them. In my rat eradication forays, I've learned that exclusion and destruction of habitat are vitally important. The basic Victor rat trap, loaded with peanut butter, and placed in their pathways works very well. D-Con and the other anti-coagulants are very effective, but do pose a minor threat of secondary poisoning to pets. - Stan

How to stop Mice Rodents eating Tractor Wiring
Parts and Repair
Replies 25 Post by Stan in Calif

I think it's just a matter of time before you get a loader. I see no point in waiting, if you can swing it now. Be sure to read the messages regarding rear ballasting and safety. In the crystal ball, I see a box scraper (box blade) for driveway maintenance and grading around the house. Grading might be one of your first tasks. - Stan

Compelling case for loader
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 9 Post by Stan in Calif

Gavin- I would fill the tank with fuel to minimize condensation, air up the tires, and charge the battery once a month. If an oil change is due, it would be better to do it now, rather than wait until spring. Regular use of a product such as JD Diesel Fuel Conditioner from the dealer or Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement from Wal Mart should keep the algae problem at bay. I don't think the machine will sit long enough to require the use of a biocide. If you do have a problem with algae, it will show up in the fuel filter in the form of a black, gooey substance. I'm assuming your tractor will be stored under cover- if not, I would do more. - Stan

quot winterizing quot JD 4100 HST
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Stan in Calif

I do it pretty much like Roger and Eric- I usually set the hand throttle to a speed high enough to make the hydraulics work well, and do the rest with the foot throttle. In sustained operations like discing, tilling or spraying, I use the hand throttle. -Stan

Setting throttle
John Deere Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Stan in Calif

Steve-
I have a Kelsey-Hayes (made by Tekonsha) and an earlier Tekonsha Commander. No problems with either. If you do have a problem with the brakes coming on when the're not wanted, I would think you could adjust that out by decreasing the sensitivity. -Stan

trailer brake controllers
Parts and Repair
Replies 3 Post by Stan in Calif

This will add a little stress to the spindles and bearings. If you don't have an FEL, there shouldn't be a problem. If you have an FEL, operate it smoothly, and are cognizant of the considerable stress that a loader imposes on the front end, you'll probably still get away with it- others have. I think just about all FEL-equiped tractors have had their front ends slammed down once or twice, and reversed rims will make it a little worse. -Stan

Turning the front rims around to get a wider stance
Parts and Repair
Replies 10 Post by Stan in Calif

It will be interesting to see what the manufacturers do about this new problem. From what Randy and Dana have said, it appears that Deere has a solution. It might also help if they would chamfer the ends of the splines in both directions, and not just radially. Of course, it's another machining operation and added expense, but it would give them bragging rights, and maybe just enough of an increase in sales to offset the cost. In reading through these threads, it is obvious that ease of attaching implements is very important to many users. -Stan

MOWER PTO NOT EASY TO CONNECT TO TRACTOR
Parts and Repair
Replies 11 Post by Stan in Calif

Tom-
I don't have a need for a pto brake, either. I think the manufacturer is the one who benefits the most- maybe it will keep him out of court.
The topic of pto brake recently came up over at the other place, and it went quite differently- very interesting.

JD 4400 PTO Problem
John Deere Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Stan in Calif

Here's a good one, Tom, to illustrate your point. One time I hooked up a boat trailer that had separate stop/turn and tail lights. I turned on the tail lights and hazard flashers, and much to my surprise, the turn signals on the trailer didn't work, and the tail lights flashed. I knew that it was wired correctly, because it worked before. I finally determined that a bad ground between the tow vehicle and the trailer was passing just enough current to illuminate the tail lights, but not enough for the larger filaments in the turn signals. When the turn signals "came on", they drew the current away from the tail lights, causing them to go out. I don't remember what finally clued me, probably the fact that the tail lights on the trailer were flashing alternately from the turn signals on the truck. Ever since then, when there's something weird going on, I run a jumper wire back to a known ground.

Fuel Guage Problem
Parts and Repair
Replies 17 Post by Stan in Calif

Well, I guess I'm stumped- the only thing I can think of before going inside is to make sure the linkage is tight at every juncture and is not flexing. I would think, though, that if this was the problem, reducing the free play to zero would have affected it. I'm assuming this is a dry clutch with standard gear (not power-reverser trans).

JD 2355 Clutch Problems
Parts and Repair
Replies 7 Post by Stan in Calif

Just returned from the dealer- this is what I was told: Meetings will continue thru Aug. 7th. After that, info will be released - keep checking www.deere.com. What they did was hold several sessions so they could fit everyone under the same roof. Dealer had no printed material, but recalled discussion of the following: Factory installed top and tilt (and not cable operated). I asked if he could confirm that, as it was gonna be a hot one- He said that was his understanding. Electronic (adjustable) hydro controls for lower pedal effort and smoother engagement/disengagement. Also discussed was some sort of quick hitch- something more than extendable draft links. That's all for now. Sounds like they are listening.

New JD 4000 Series Compact Tractors
John Deere Tractors
Replies 11 Post by Stan in Calif

Hillbilly-
We should know something soon. Did you see the thread "New JD Series Compact Tractors? - Stan

New JD 4000 series upgrades
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Stan in Calif

Good point, Tom. I think it needs to be emphasized that few, if any, of us have true downforce on our 3ph. I've seen it only on larger industrial tractors that have the weight to handle it, as it unloads the rear wheels, reducing traction. The only "downforce" we have is from the weight of the implement and the "self feeding" action of certain implements such as plows and rippers. There is a little bit of this effect with a fixed rear blade box,and a little more with a hinged rear blade.
BTW - to answer another unasked question - draft control doesn't provide downforce - On the contrary, it is "upforce" designed to counter the self feeding action of plows and rippers.
Hyd. top link doesn't provide downforce - It just transfers the implements weight from front to rear, but it's still floating.
Also, I've given up trying to make fine adjustments with the rockshaft lever - it's not precise enough. I use the hyd. top link for this. True, it's changing the angle, but also the elevation. We are all still learning.

Box Scraper Use Position Control
Operating and Attachments
Replies 4 Post by Stan in Calif

Yes, I have one and I love it. Can,t speak for mowing brush, as I have none - just lots of heavy duty weeds - Johnson grass, Wild Oats, Starthistle, Morning Glory, etc., and it chomps right through them. I do most mowing in second or third gear. I chose the 10.5 hp briggs for its large displacement, crankcase capacity, price, and parts availability. The 12.5 and 15 hp models have full pressure oiling and that is a good thing, but I'm not sure it's necessary. The Biggs manual says "On mobile equipment, this engine will operate satisfactorily atany angle at which operator and equipment can function safely." I haven't had any problems with vertical shaft briggs engines operated on slopes. I'm interested to hear what Frank has to say - It sounds like he has more experience on this than I do. Whatever model you get, a differential lock is a very nice thing to have on a sidehill. Also, it sounds like you will want the optional brush blade. DR has a website - www.drfieldbrush.com Have fun.

DR Brush Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 15 Post by Stan in Calif

Put the scarifiers down and work the ground up soyou have some material to play with. Always keep some material in the box ( except when you are dumping the last of it in the low spots or backblading on the final pass).
There is a very important part of the box blade that you don't see from the tractor seat - that is the rear blade. It is the relationship between the rear blade ,the front blade and the ground that determines how much you will cut or fill. To illustrate, have someone get on the tractor and raise the implement just off the ground, then roll the bucket with the top link. Roll forward (shorten top link) to cut , roll back (extend top link) to fill. Notice how the back blade determines the depth of cut and fill. As you will see, that was a good move getting the hyd. top and tilt. Also, don't try to feather these controls for a small adjustment- just bump them for a small incremental change. Hope this helps.

b7100 or b7200
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Stan in Calif