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

I received a book for Christmas entitled 'Backyard Ballistics' by William Gurstelle (potato cannons, match rockets, tennis ball mortars. etc.) in the back of the book he also lists several other 'exciting' titles... one is "The Art of the Catapult-build Greek ballistae,, English trebuchets, and more ancient artillery" also by the smae author. ISBN number 978-1-55652-526-1 , by Chicago Review Press, $16.95.... plus he has other books on pyromaniac things, flamethrowers...
These books seem to be on the 'tamer' side of things so you may just have to 'upscale' there projects.
I know my friend from college he lived the 'engineering dorm' they build a catapult using a coil springs from a truck if memory serves me.. they hit 'objects' 1/3+mile away until it was off course and hit a college shuttle bus-no one hurt but rattled. Engineering professors kind a knew which group but threaten all eng students to dismantle and remove from campus. That was close to 40 yrs ago
Happy researching---

How to build a Catapult
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 10 Post by Woodie

From road to garage door at house approx 560ft, then from the turn out space(access to backyard/ barn) from house to the barn is another 200 ft. plus I clear another 40 by 50 spot for the propane truck to turn around. Generally done with the NH w/ Woods 60"blower, occasionaly using the frt bucket to scrape the packed stuff free/level. Plus a 80ft' 'trail' around the yard for the dog (he's a little adverse to doing his number in deep snow...ha ha)done with the Husqvarna tractor w/ blower.

Survey How long is your driveway for snow removal
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 39 Post by Woodie

Art - your correct some areas the people may be too proud to ask for asistance but other areas watch out..you get trampled by the rush. It's a culture thing -watched the Ken Burns Dust Bowl series, said that people then were very conscientious of letting anyone know they took assistance and only did as last resort. Time/culutre has changed from then and now seems to have 'embraced' the new 'it's owe'd me'. Got the the following clip from a close friend who's training in the medical field in a large inner city, where he got it from not sure...he did say the writer hit the mark from what he has seen
------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. President:
During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of
evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive
Shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of
elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive
Brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone
equipped with a popular R&B ringtone. While glancing over her Patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"!
During my examination of her, the patient informed
Me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care?
I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the
Result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather,it is the result of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly
Acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based on the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever
I want to because someone else will always take care of me".
Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and
dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care
Difficulties will disappear.

Respectfully,
STARNER JONES, MD
-----------------------------

Why is Iowa a Blue leaning state
Everything and Anything
Replies 12 Post by Woodie

We too suffered from drought(south central MI). Not being a farmer myself but live surrounded by quite a few large farms their corn was growing very patchy all depending on high or low spots according to 'moist spots' in the field -all depended too on when some planted early some of those fields seemed to 'fair' a tad better. Soybeans looked dismal you could just see individual stalks and rows and not the 'continous cover' like in other years. havesting the beans seemed more like a effort in creating dust. I lost my lawn to the drought -I was after a while figured it was a losing battle to try to keep watering it.
But my biggest thing for this year has been the fruit trees with the weird spring we had here in MI and wiping out the majority of the fruit etc . I have a couple Barlett Pear trees well the 'early early spring ' and frost 'killed' them off or so i thought --BUT in mid Sept this year the trees started flowering.. discussed that with local old timers and they just shook their heads in amazment. So maybe I'll lose another pear crop for next year.

2012 drought
Everything and Anything
Replies 9 Post by Woodie

I had a Cub 7274 as my 'first big tractor' bought used. It developed starting issues a month after purchase. The battery would slowly drain out but at times would start. After extenstive tinkering and having other more mechanical type friends look it over. We found the battery leads especially the negative side was nearly completely corroded inside the insulation for about 8-10 inches (just one or two strands still complete). replaced both leads and did not have starting issues for quite a while by then found a reliable cub dealer couple hour drive away and discussed addtional problems -told me many problems for the cub were the 'safety interlocks' not being in precise spot so I'd have to jiggle and reset all the levers etc. Best of luck..

Cub Cadet 7274 Tractor starting problem
Cub Cadet
Replies 12 Post by Woodie

A number of years ago my brotherin law brought over his setup to deep fry the turkey--Wow we got hooked it was great, moister than any number of ways we tried in the oven roasting. Got my own setup and have done it a number of yrs.DEFINITLY put thawed turkey in pot and add water to cover remove turkey,mark line (for oil amount)then drain water and DRY! DRY! pot and bird prior to putting oil in and heating. Always make sure theres' plenty of 'boiling bubble' head space in pot. These where some of his instructions and i've tweaked them some. I've even used the hair dryer one year to dry the bird..ha ha. As to the used oil I was lucky enough to find a small company down the road in Parma, Mi that make biodiesel conversion systems for sale and he takes all fryer oil to demo his systems plus he uses the bio in his shop and farm as well as sells it.
Hardwood-yes I to also love Sardines, I prefer them plain in oil or water, double layer in can, the singles get a bit too big and crunchy..but smelt mmmm mm another story sometime straight up crunchy and other times butterflied and and lightly deep fried.

Deep Fry or Roast Thanksgiving Turkey
Everything and Anything
Replies 27 Post by Woodie

Another possibly of weak or inconsistent snow throwing as i found out last winter ,, I could see the auger turning when no load and it would be a 50/50 thing of blow just fine then snow would load in front of the blower- just pushing. I checked all the shear bolts etc. and while i had everything nearly dismantled I happen to look at the end of the drive shaft for the auger and seen the key on the drive sprocket for the chain looked only part way sheared, but on tear down it had completely sheared and would catch on it self. The key had broke down to a 'galled ' mess. It didn't score the sprocket or shaft very much. Replaced key and everything worked as normal.

Woods SB72 Snowblower
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 23 Post by Woodie

Joel- Thanks for the info/link.
KT- Thanks for the hint, I may have to do a 'worm's eye' view of that disc unit as i might be over looking something.

Disc Harrow question
Operating and Attachments
Replies 14 Post by Woodie

Just an update- had my TC33D in for some "overdue" service. I ask them to check the electrical system because of blowing the 30 amp main fuse, which had stopped doing that a few months back but was occaisonally now was blowing a 15 amp fuse in the fuse block on startup. I mentioned what I had read here on the chat board about a possible TSB and or using ""extra wires/relay"" etc(I don't do electrical stuff, I understand it etc - but had nasty experince when i was much younger-long story for another time). Well they installed per TSB a 40 amp slow blow and 'starter improvemnt kit'. Kit and fuse were $28 (labor not included.)
ALSO-for the hydro oil cooler in front of the radiator there is an "upfit kit" (hard pipe elbows) available to replace the rubber elbows - I stayed with the rubber ones ($28pair) vs the 'upfit' which they said where close to $80.
Sofar have started the tractor a handful number of times and (fingers crossed) there seems to be a marked improvement when it catches and fires without much cranking.

New Holland tractor will not turn over start
New Holland Tractors
Replies 19 Post by Woodie

Thanks EW... when I'm visiting family in school in Detroit , I'll make it a point to head over to Northville and speak to them in person. Thanks again.

illegal trailer -wheels axles
Pickup Trucks and Trailers
Replies 15 Post by Woodie

I've also been contemplating which "fluid" to use in a parts washer and have toyed with the idea of using WD-40. "Warped thinking" ;-) being WD does a great job of loosing crud and it provides a 'oil finish' to prevent corrosion. Also it is readily available at numerous retailers. I'm open to any suggestions. I haven't as of yet decided on any specific parts washer yet and would purchase the 'chosen/appropriate/d' fluid at that time. Thanks

Diesel fuel for parts washer solvent
Shop Tools
Replies 13 Post by Woodie

KW, EW, Auer,Dennis- Sorry guys- for taking so long in getting back to you and thanking you for the leads and advice.(more pressing issues took prioity). Either way I go its going to take some $$ :-( . Prolly a tad less and inexpensive way by DIY,as I just heard a coworker down the hall of cubes from me say its costing him $400 just for trapping/baiting by a licensed pest controller and no gaurantee and he's still doing a lot of caulking/plugging himself. Guess my 'shaky legs' will have to manuever the ladders a few more times (I don't like getting up on ladders no more-getting a greater repect for heights the old i get--he he)
Appreciate the input and hopefully by next year I'll have them appropriately relocated/shoo'd away....
EW- jenny may want the tax for lodging them-but I can't tell exactly which nights and how many are staying since they don't ask for any beds or extra cots..he he

Bats in Barn Robin Batman help
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 15 Post by Woodie

Well, from what I hear parts of the Gov't are fretting on the ripple effects of the Big 3 taking the "splat" . A coworker has a contact at TACOM in Detroit (okay EW techinaly Warren) and was told they are worried about getting parts for DoD from some of the suppliers if the suppliers have to closeup because they also supply the B3 and only run small production for the Govt.
I've worked union and nonunion shops, and I see it as a fault of many parts, mainly union and the companies. I see a need for the union for ensureing fair equalitable treatment of the workers IF the company does not like to be fair. Not being a big history person , but fromwhat I see the unions pushed/demanded many companies too far, back in the late'60-'70's- early80's and created these'pockets' of "excesses" for the workers. Now the pendlum is swinging back from the companies and the work force use to the 'perks' are squaking and the companies can't fund those any longer. I fault the companies for bloating themselves into how many levels of management and VP's with assistant vp to the vp for widget x. Besides the B3 have not learned from history.. the 50's -foreign small cars the 70's again-foreign cars - sure the B3-4 followed and created some wonderful cars Corvette, Thunderbird, Nova, Tempest/GTO, Pacer, etc (okay I had the throw the Pacer in for a giggle). They where great cars for the original idea -Small nimble sporty , economical or basic transport.. BUT NO- what happened -corporate ideas had to botch them over the years into land cruising aircraft carriers. What happen to the cute small T-bird? that thing morphed into a Huge hunk of metal that took nearly two parking spaces and could only cary maybe 3. That seemed to be the trail the B3-4 followed- small cars and kept enlarging them and then they wound up with no small car in their line-ups. The Corporate never truly revamped their business model. Again, now how many models of SUVs did Chrylser build 6-9 different models? same for GM- H1, 2,3 ,Tahoe , Seqouria, Suburban, Bravia..etc. and can't forget Ford.. Edge, Escape,Flex,... Granted profit is a motive, But when the car compaines don't offer the buying public true options to buy fully equiped small cars they flocked to foreign makes that offered the options. And whats the deal with my '96 Dodge Ram MADE in Mexico... Oh well I got up on the soap box and wandered.. sorry I guess i had to vent:-( ""the comments made are not endorsed nor promoted.. by this station...he he""

To all on the board here I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy, safe and with much hope a better New Year.

What is your take on the Big-3 hearings
Just For Fun Off Topic
Replies 26 Post by Woodie

To all of you who have responsed-APPRECIATE all the good advice THANK YOU... My normal storage fuel setup is a 15 gallon plastic drum and two 6gal plastic cans. I'll buy some 'fresh' stuff and treat accordingly and then fill the tractor half of the new stuff and half of the questionalbe (if treated) storage fuel. I'll be using up some fuel here shortly anyway-get the grass/weedfields cut back down one last time. Guess i'll need to devise tagging system so i know if i've treated the canister or not.
Hardwood-- a John BEER?
the only treatment my beer gets is a proper chilling and not 'treated' aka Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law) of 1516, (only the right stuff) ..he he Thank You again for the help...:)
Again to All thanks .

Diesel additive -not enough or too much
Parts and Repair
Replies 18 Post by Woodie

I'll echo most whats been said. Keep at an angle unless you can't help get at a spot, keep the nozzle moving and keep it back-but not to far back. Best is take a couple rusty cans or pieces of rusty painted sheet metal or old 55 gal drum and practice a bit to get the 'feel'- bit almost like welding- get to know how to hold optimal distance and speed to get the job done. A big item to watch is your air compressor and air tank capactiy can it keep up or have to stop and wait for build up and blast a bit and then wait again. First time(in our youthful late teens) my brother and our friend sand blasted we used one of them 'industrial trailer aircompressors' what an experience abit too much power in the hands of 'we should've know better' :( -we warpped the car door skin ..a bit too much pressure and and too close. actually seen the metal peen itself over itself.. our friend had access to some lake michigan beach sand approx 300 lbs worth- worked real well. we did a pickup truck and a vw bug all in one weekend. Since then we've scaled way back to smaller more manageable setup :) Unless you have one of them enclosed cabinets -- you'll be picking a few grains of sand or whatever media from your hair (even under one of the canvas hoods...) ;)

Sandblaster advice needed
Tractor Projects
Replies 11 Post by Woodie

My brother and I have run Stihl saws for about 20 years. "Knock on wood" - we have had only a few 'minor problems" but nothing to say major problems (spark plugs now and then,normal wear /tear items and once the saw stopped-somehow sawdust got builtup inside the clutch area and would not allow turn over). My saw is about 25 yrs old with 40:1 mix ratio and have used 87octane and have had not problems starting...my brother recent bought two newer models and has found-- The ONE BIG change is GAS! - Read the owners manual.. they call for Premimun grade for the mix... yes it makes a difference .. We were cutting with a friend who had a brand new one week old Stihl he refilled with a batch he made with regular 87 gas and his saw would not start. we dumped his mix out and refilled with the 'higrade mix' took abit to work it thru the carb etc but his saw started...
The service shop keeps telling me its okay to switch my old saw to the 50:1 mix -but i'm like hey the saw has run this long with the old diet and it has not given me any complains.. just me having to measureout the oil dosage for the right proportions...no premeasured bottles for me...darn... he he

Stihl ms170 chainsaw will not start
Shop Tools
Replies 20 Post by Woodie

when i seen diesel dropping on 31 July I thought I better buy some at the low price of 4.30 before it jumped up, as some news articles etc where kinda indicating a rise again... well its been dropping ever since,Diesel 3.95 and unlead reg 3.75 at truck stop here, and it looks like it will drop another couple cents. I guess i should have waited. :~(

Diesel Fuel Pricing
Everything and Anything
Replies 19 Post by Woodie

I just seen an article where GE is looking at selling off their consumer appliance divison as it doesn't 'fit' into their business model.
On made in the USA has anyone seen or heard of the Staber brand -they are made in Ohio. They be expensive- base washer is $1300. from their web site they show the entire production and guts of the unit. Stainless steel drum and tub and they claim to use mechanical switches vs electonic switches and controls. JUST one weird thing about the washer is --its a top loader but the drum is mounted horizontal! We used a machine in Germany very similar to the Staber, but on a smaller scale...my wife was impressed with the quality of the wash and how much dryer the clothes came out, that prompted my search for other washers like that one in Germany and came across the Staber. So I'm wondering to hear if anyone has had or knows of experiences of Staber. They sell mostly direct to user and say you don't need a svc tech -- they will walk you thru the repairs over the phone.

Is a Maytag still a Maytag
Home Improvement
Replies 31 Post by Woodie

here in my parts they have pretty much used a blend called "road gravel" a mix of a sandy clay, fines and gravel , sometimes crushed sometime not, sized 1/4" to 1" . Lately the concrete companies are pushing recycled crushed concrete, sized from pretty fine stuff to realy course for driveways. haven't seen it myself in use, but with talking to others -that crushed concrete is working out real well as it will break down a bit and interlock itself and form a hard tough layer. Pricing seems quite reasonable compared to the "'natural' processed stuff'"

Gravel Driveway Maintenance
Garden and Landscape
Replies 13 Post by Woodie

I'll echo the same as Harvey , Murf and others. Go with the basic buzz box. Reminds me of how i learned welding, driving and photography. What me and my brother did was I bought the buzz box and he bought the Oxy-actelyene setup, we borrow back and forth,i'm a bit better with the arc and he's better with the torch. I've not had much luck with the 'automatics of welding' aka mig etc. As to the photography - learned on a very manual SLR and advanced and have moved up to "electronic total control", shake eliminate etc.-i find take more pictures but they are not of the composition/finese/quality of the onesfrom the manual camera. To paraphrase what Harvey said of the new welders but for photos "look nice but no substance' just a'record shot '. Yes, do the basics first. I find the more 'automatic' a piece of equipment is the more "rush thru it" I behave.
Side note- I taught/made my daughter learn to drive a stick and told her 'if she can drive a manual transmission she won't be at a disadvantage for types of transportion', now she's in college and gets a kick out of freaking out most of her acquiances, scares some and intrigues others that she drives a stick.

Welders for Grandsons
Parts and Repair
Replies 12 Post by Woodie