Wallace Tractor Cookout Success or Not???

[IXLR8]

Originally Posted by EddieWalker

From the pictures, it looked like you were even getting a class on cylinder rebuilds!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie

Yup.. Wayne County Hose was there showing us all the do's and, more importantly, the don'ts of cylinder rebuilds. Some digging was done and it was discovered that in a $80.00+ cylinder rebuild kit from one vendor was about $12.00 in parts from WCH. Glad WCH is on our side.

[IslandTractor]

I'll add my kudos to the Rick, Amy and their staff for a really fun event. The food and company was great. Lots of wonderful tips on tractor maintenance too. I also learned from Rick that the pile of chocolate chip cookies on his plate were only one calorie each!.

It was great to be able to chat with the mechanics and to go through routine maintenance issues as well as some trouble shooting techniques used by the pros. As luck would have it Rick had a DK40se up on the lift as a demo so I was able to see up close and personal many of the nuts and bolts you normally just have to deal with semi blind. I found at least one zerk I've managed to miss. It was great to have Rick going over the do's and don't do's of the regular maintenance too.

Watching Andy (Wayne County Hose) rebuild a hydraulic cylinder was a real education in more ways than one. I'd never seen one taken apart before and did not realize how many different types of fittings, seals, bushings etc were used by various manufacturers. I learned enough to know never to try that myself and that if/when I ever have hydraulic problems I'm sticking it into a FedEx or UPS box and sending it to Andy.

The DOT guys were very helpful too. Lots of tips on safe trailering and tie downs. They had one of their hitech trucks on hand and I learned that the reason the weigh stations on the highway are almost always closed nowadays is that these DOT trucks are equipped with portable scales and basically everything that the DOT used to do at the weigh stations is now done by the side of the road. Apparently truckers were getting too good at bypassing the weight stations.

Jim and I both had our eyes on a nifty QA adapter plate that permits using 3PT attachments on the FEL as well as giving you a Class 3 and Class 2 receiver hitch. I won out as Jim's car was full of other goodies. I haven't had a chance to get it to the tractor yet but I'll post on it soon (stayed too long at the event and missed the last ferry).

It was also great to put faces to the screen names/avatars on TBN. We are a pretty diverse group of folks and it was both fun and interesting to meet you all.

My 5 year old daughter was tickled pink with the DK65S model I won as a door prize. Now she has her own "daddy tractor".

It was close to perfect despite the 600 miles of driving. If only Rick had heeded Amy's advice on air conditioning it would have been a perfect 10. When is that boy going to learn to listen?

Thanks again to Rick and Amy and the whole staff for your wonderful hospitality.

[deputyrpa]

How'd I miss the maintenance & troubleshooting session? OH....I must have been out front making baby faces at my tractor.....

[IXLR8]

Originally Posted by deputyrpa

How'd I miss the maintenance & troubleshooting session? OH....I must have been out front making baby faces at my tractor.....

That or drooling in the MAC truck.

I was wondering what MR. and MRS. Tractor thought of the event, did they think it was worth it? If they have even had a free moment to think about it.

[MrsTractor]

Joel: Deseray (hope I spelled close to correct) she said she would like to give you an "E" for effort, the correct spelling is "Desiree". Everyone here had a great time, the employees that is. Matt & Roy look at as a day out to play without Rick yelling. I am finally just havin a moment to sat down & remember everything that went on, trying to write a list of things to do next time. Stil have a lot of food leftover for the guys to have free lunch this week. If anyone has some new ideas for next time throw at me.

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by MrsTractor

the correct spelling is "Desiree".

I forgot to thank Desiree. She was great and had a smile on her face the whole day which must be some sort of record for a teen forced to hang out with the customers on a lovely Saturday. I imagine she gets her positive spirit equally from both parents but she should thank the Lord that her looks come 100% from Mrs. Tractor.

[mark.r]

You could add family counseling to next year's agenda . . . because I want to how in the world all you work together seven days a week and still stay on speaking terms. Sam and I cannot make it through one section of fence without having a knock down drag out argument. And you can forget about all of us working in the office. We've done it for years but it hasn't been as easy as you guys make it look.

[IslandTractor]

They get along so well because Rick is a sweetheart and gets Amy air conditioning whereever and whenever she wants it.

If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Right Rick?

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by IslandTractor

If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Ahhh, yes. Point taken.

[deputyrpa]

Originally Posted by IXLR8

That or drooling in the MAC truck.

But it was such a nice display! The 3/4" ratchet swivel attachment was a key purchase.... Now for the new machine to use it on!!

Patiently awaiting.....patience....relax..... aaaahhhrrrrr - IT'S KILLING ME!!!!!