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The stabilizers are possibility. They might fail. Along with that, give some thought to what happens to the stresses on the tractor axles and rear end housing when the stabilizers lift it off the ground. The whole back of the tractor is designed to resist the axle stresses in one direction -...

Those 3 schematics on page 41 look the same to me except for the relief valve settings. Whatever difference in flow that those inset schematics are trying to show....well, I don't see it. Maybe I'm just missing it....or maybe they are referring to working cylinder geometry and not showing the...

OK. It certainly is difficult to diagnose this problem remotely. My feeling is that it is not a part failure or we would have found it by now. That means it may well be a misconnection or control that we've not found - perhaps it was always so, since it does work...although slowly. My guess...

I'm not surprised that you checked the cables. Now wecan dismiss that possibility. I wonder what that Hydraulic Valve on page 20 is doing in your circuit? It is a soleoid actuated diverter valve that switches pressure between two circuits in response to an electrical current. That is, it...

We ought to check the obvious. Could it be that the control cables that work the spool valves in the FEL control valve are just not pulling the valves open fully? Can you check that?

Glad to have you. The more the better. If you download that Workshop manual WSM and look at the schematic about page 316 or maybe 332 .... and also at one of the very last pages...then... You will see that the hydraulic pump output only goes one place - which is directly back to the rear...

Well good. You may have just saved the cost of the gauges kit. I wish we had the equivalent install manual from Quickie Loaders just to make sure that the hookups the prev. owner did are correct. I'm beginning to wonder if the loader ever did go normal speed. The speed the loader moves is...

I may have found us a usable Work Shop Manual (WSM)... it's for the M4900/M5900 - the model right after yours. But it sure looks like the same hydraulic layout. Take a look and see what you think. If so, then your hydraulic pump on your tractor and the M5900 are a piggyback dual (3pt...

It doesn't even take CAD to shorten the hood enough to gain the needed visibility. There is no reason that radiators or batteries need to be up front. Moving those would do it. So agree in principle, although I don't know what molding plastic has to do with tractor hoods. rScotty

What makes you think so?

Yes, the pictures help a lot. We now know that your loader has a typical FEL control valve with what looks to be a power beyond port taking flow to the 3pt. Yours not having the rear remotes does simplify things. To answer your questions best as I can.....That's clever to listen to the return...

That's the same tranny that we have. It's just remarkable. All the advantages of an tunable HST along with fingertip powershifting between high and low in each of the 3 ranges...total of six speeds forward and reverse.

It would be harder to sell that one around here because of the rust. In our climate old machinery doesn't rust, just fades. Used buyers are used to faded paint, but are not so much with rust from coastal salt & humidity. They tend to run away from rust. The OP's machine still has original...

Good to hear. That's what I thought you had done, and I was surprised to hear that your 4wd shifter was stiff. Anyway, I'm glad that it is just stiff for some other reason, and not a result of four wheel driving. As you say, lifting the front axle with the loader proves that it is not due to...

That's normal for any differential. That is how they work.

That's a dandy. Sure looks like a keeper. Our M59 has an earlier version of that same engine. It has been flawless. Which transmission did you get?

California, we've discussed this a lot. Yanmars are designed as a 2wd with part time 4wd assist only when needed. Yanmars DO NOT have the center drive shaft differential that is required for full time all wheel drive. So...If the shifter is hard to get out of 4wd, then it shouldn't have been in...

OK, I've done what you are trying to do. What you need to know first of all is that a "lift capacity of 1631 lbs" is only half the story. You need to know how far behind the 3pt that 1631 lbs is being lifted. Most tractor manufacturers - but not all - specify 3pt lift capacity as a vertical...

It certainly does help. Simpler is better..... So where is the FEL valve getting it's pressure? Can you take some photos of that FEL control valve? What I'm trying to do is to confirm whether the hydraulic output from the 4 bolt flange on top of the hydraulic pump goes directly and exclusively...

Yes, it isn't making sense to me either. In post #15 he says, " Pressure is 0 under no load and remains 0 during all functions of the FEL other than it spikes to, and stays at, 2500 when bucket touches ground and raises front wheels off ground." I agree with you - that is exactly what we...

For safety, be sure your cobbled fittings are hydraulic type...I think NAPA has them. Hydraulic are usually 3000 psi where standard hardware/plumbing is 800 max. If you get that flowmeter and can fit it in the line you describe, then you could put a T right in series with the lowmete. That is...

Yep. Nice explanation What you saw on your friend's Kubota is exactly the problem - though I don't think it is a Kubota problem as much as it is a SSQA problem on all makes. . The SSQA on our tractor - also a Kubtota - is stock and so is the bucket. I've painted some guide lines on bucket and...

The trans/hydraulic oil should stay clear in use. If it goes murky or white in use and then clears up overnight that is pretty clear evidence of a suction air leak somewhere. You have to fix it to protect the hydraulic pump. It won't get better on its own. Usually the air is getting into the...

Ok. So now it gets a little more technical to mess with the spring and ball latch. Here is one way to go about it...Since you already know the spring force is not enough to stay latched, the existing mechanism can become one of the data points. So I'd go ahead and measure the force per...

Darn....I was hoping for a suction leak, but OK. It is sounding like it isn't a suction leak, so next we look for a flow restriction. Basically the procedure is to insert the adapter T with its gauge everywhere we can by interrupting every hose we can - starting with the pump to the FEL {IN)...

A quick trip to Messicks online parts site shows how many are available and for how much. I was surprised to see they stock six (6) hoods ! Sounds like basic weekend maintenance. You can add up the parts in an hour online. After that it is just your time vs theirs. Looks to me like 4 to 8 hrs...

That's too good of an idea to just leave hanging there without any comment. What do you think of blocking ancient threads to anyone except the OP? That would limit old threads but still allow a follow up. Too often a problem just gets kicked around and the solution is never posted.

Yep. Looking back over 20 years of similar threads, That's what the more experienced people here always recommend: Either contract the job out, or go get a machine for the task. Either works better than buying a compact homeowner type tractor, adding attachments, and expecting it to do...

I took it he was saying that black oil would be rear main engine seal, not tranny. rScotty

That's about what it would bring here in Colorado, and quickly. Those older low hour tractors are good sellers. It could bring a little more.

It would bring close to double those figures in the Denver area - but only if it has the power steering option. It wouldn't be on the market lon . Frankly, you could do worse than keeping it. If you want a cab, there may still be one made to fit. It's worth the search. rScotty

Would it work as well on the 3pt?

Nice idea. Will you be making up a lighter handle just to check?

The Chinese export scheme seems narrowly focused on price. My suspicion is that more than low price is necessary to be competitive long term, but is a long term presence even one of their goals? I hope so, but maybe Chinese business strategy is something completely different. So I'm still in...

Thanks for the check valve explanation. Looking at designs in detail is always fun. Back to the detent and a possible stiffening shim, you have the advantage of me with the manual. Details of #17 and #18 are not shown. And as I look, it makes me curious about something else,,,,Why do you think...

I think he meant to say DPF. As you say, Big diesels use DEF or Diesel Exhaust fluid. But he is right about DPF engines not supposed to run by"put-putting" like the vintage small diesels did. Although maybe they will, I don't believe we have heard from anyone trying it yet.

Thanks for the beautiful photos and diagrams. Looks like you washed it! First of all, a couple of things caught my attention. My apologies for the initial digression, but it's a price you pay for hobby advice on TBN. One initial impression is that the spool valve assembly casting is oddly...

Sounds good. Congrats on your road construction. The Kubota TLBs sure are special. Hard to find one at a reasonable price. Has anyone looked at it? rScotty

What he said about chips. I found the same thing - at a least about pine and fir chips. Don't know about hardwood chips. After a flood left us with areas of sand and gravel, I tried ponderosa/fir chips about 2" to 3" deep as an experiment on one acre and left the adjoining acre uncovered. Gave...

If you post a photo of the valve assembly we should be able to identify the float detent part of your FEL valve set. Take several views. The float detent "latch" is pretty obvious on most FEL valves and is essentially a rod-like extension on the far end of the loader arm valve spool. That...

That's correct. Blueknife is showing that one is mounted with the wrong side out. Also looks a bit loose. The cure for too loose is to remove some links. It helps to have a chain tool and link kit, but not essential. The chains should fit loosely until you fasten the over-center latches on each...

I use Power Service Bio-Kleen, but don't recall seeing JF Biobor for sale where I buy additive. I have not idea how to judge one biocide against another. We don't have biodiesel here and just buy regular Ultra Low Sulfur at the pump for all our diesels. What led you to the brand that you...

Nice. Here's an article about the inventer of that process. John McAdam. His compaction process was innovative enough to earn him a knighthood. Before him, all-weather roads were made of fitted blocks. He figured out how to use small stones, fines for filler, and compaction...

That's exactly the point. What works for heavier industrial and Ag tractors doesn't apply to lighter compacts. The lighter tractors need 4wd, the heavier can use 2wd effectively. A full size 2wd backhoe can work in slop that a compact tractor would need 4wd just to drive through. Back to the...

Yes, even as I described my system I wondered why - and then remembered - why I had done it that way. Back when I first put it together it surprised me how much all the filtration slowed the water flow. So I put the tanks (2) after the treatment. That way house water stays at higher pressure for...

Reality vs imagination. Maybe so in totally saturated clay. Even in sloppy dirt the industrial tires provide enough flotation to work. Two wheel drive has worked for Ag tractors for a long time.

Not how I see it. On larger machines, 2wd is just fine, maybe preferable. I'd say 2wd in full size equipment avoids more problems than it creates. Try one and you'll see why that is. Our old JD310 moves snow just fine off an even longer driveway. Nothing fancy, no special snow implements or...

Yes, Kubota makes a semi-construction grade tractor in small acreage size. Called their TLB line (tractor, loader, backhoe). They used to make their TLB in 4 sizes, now they make it in 3: 25, 47, & 62 hp. They all have similar options & rugged construction. The backhoe is also removable for...

Happy New Year! I use a filter like you are showing - mine is 100 micron. Very nicely made. It's my main crud filter from the well and doesn't catch much if anything. From there the water goes to a set of three transparent GE plastic filters in parallel to keep the flow rate up, and those use...

Doesn't look like a typical supply/demand curve. Special interests, maybe. Greed, too.

I painted a white stripe on the bucket and continued it onto the quick attach adapter on the FEL - making sure to do it when they were attached, and also putting the stripe in a location I can see from the tractor seat. With the stripe, it is a lot easier to get the lateral alignment correct. I...

Nice. I'll look forward to working on it with you. If you want to try something while you are waiting, go back up to post #7 and look at the that hydraulic diagram. Do you see the two joints in the suction pipe where the 050 O rings are used? Get in there with some stretchy rubbery electrical...

I gotta say that anyone can pick the wrong software. Older software actually advertised their "stand alone" ability as a positive feature. That was back before anyone had a clue how important it was going to be for software packages to interact intuitively. I'm impressed that Kubota is willing...

I think that is a good way to look at it. You'll find plenty of work for the tractor you get. But it will be more enjoyable work you do to maintain your land and driveway rather than building it from scratch. Good luck, rScotty

I don't think those filters and fluid are the problem. They are good enough. Next guess when all the systems are slow is that one of the relief valves has some crud in it. You could look through the hydraulic diagram and try to guess which one it would be, but to pin it down requires some...

Nic Nice synopsis, thanks. Interestingly, our old JD530 two cylinder also has just over 12,000 hours with few repairs, and nothing major. It came with surprisingly modern sub-systems such as power steering, rear remotes, fully independent PTO, QD loader, & comfortable seating. But putting in...

Were any of the ten series as good as the machines they replaced? When did the new generation begin to be better in most ways than the old JDs they replaced? What was the first really good model? I've always wondered. rScotty

Good catch. I read through Jrasband's description of the problem - which seemed pretty complete. What was it in that description that gave you the clue? Whatever it was, I missed it. rScotty

Our 2008 Kubota came with a the typical old style flooded wet cell type battery with the cell top caps. It was a decent battery. It lasted well, but like many of its type the wet cells outgassed enough to corrod the cable terminals. They needed cleaning every year or two and eventual...

Yepper.... havng same size tires works fine mechanically. And the closer we get to same size front/rear, the better things become. So how did we ever get to such undersized front tires anyway? Sure a smaller tire up there helps with steering clearance, but does it need to be as small as it's...

No, I don't know offhand about that crossmember. I'd be surprised if Great Bend didn't have parts to fit a JD790...but if they do not have a member in stock, ask if they have a dimensioned drawing of their subframe parts for the GB260 on the JD790. You know that they probably do, the problem may...

My hat's off to you for how you handled it. The prices even seem reasonable. Climbing up onto my soapbox now, I do believe that too many tractor manufacturers are causing unnecessary problems by clinging to outdated technology. They could easily strengthen and modernize that 1970s...

I've found the same thing. You can pick up a whole lot tractor for very little money by going large and 2wd. Which is exactly why we have an large older 2wd tractor - a two cylinder JD. I weighs about 8000 lbs, has a long wide wheelbase, and traction is never a problem even without...

I've seen the same thing in my shop. People have become so used to cars having full time 4wd these days that they don't realize 4wd on tractors is built differently. It is not the same. Compact and Utility tractors have an old fashioned kind of part time 4wd assist. It is best used only to get...

Having 4wd sure does help a tractor with a load in the FEL bucket to turn in muddy fields. A 2wd with skinny ribbed tires up front will sometimes try to just plow mud instead of turning... The trick is to use the individual rear wheel brakes to help it turn - makes it much easier. Individual...

Good. Glad that is fixed. Now you can measure voltage across the battery terminals since it is fully charged...and then measure again in a few days. That will let you know if it is a good battery or not. Even a bad battery will often take a charge for a day. It just won't hold it. BTW, I...

Everytime I see a setup like your photo of the snowplow, I look at those hocky puck sliders and I wonder, "What if those two sliding pucks were castered wheels that rolled instead of slid, and located back at the SSA adapter plate instead of up at the blade...?" Would that work better on grass...

I think we have gotten way off the track. A good 25 to 40 hp used 4wd with a FEL is what the OP said he is looking for. There are active gray market used internet tractor groups all over the world - especially in Europe. They specialize in second hand & refurbished small farm tractors. I think...

Yes, I agree. Jumping from the backhoe should be enough to start the Massey with the "new" battery in most cases. But it probably won't be able to start it if the new battery in the Massey is so flat that it is sucking all the amps. If that is the case you can rev up the backhoe and risk...

There are hobby groups for some of the older tractors, but the only one that I know of for older tractors useful to your tasks are the Vintage Yanmar groups. These are older Japanese made tractors of very high quality and still decent parts and info support. Yanmars are small acreage oriented...

Eddie, it sounds like either your voltmeter is shot or you are wasting time with a defective new batttery and your tractor/hoe charging system isn't working either. And that old battery charger doesn't read right either. Which sounds like too many coincidences, but there you are. If you trust...

That is a wonderful tractor and top of the line loader. You have a classic and still as good as any tractor made. Or better. Good for a lifetime. Don't let anyone pry it away.... There isn't really anything to look at in a loader valve other than the pressure of the relief setting. With no...

That's not unusual. That's how it should be working. Fluid as well as the whole hydraulic system changes volume with temperature. That's why on models with sight glasses, the full hot and cold marks on the sight glass are several inches apart. That's somewhere between a quart to half a gallon of...

DEF? or DPF? exhaust fluid vs particle filter...

I was looking at our tractor today & wondering what to get it for Xmas.... Something inexpensive but useful would do it. And not too large of a project. Why not put a solar charger up there on top of the canopy? There's lots of unused space, and then the battery would always be fully charged...

Thanks, I found that simple flat bar on top of the bucket useful too. My hat's off to Kubota for doing it - and doubly so because they did it without any fanfare or even any explanation. For the longest time I wondered what those flats on top of the bucket were there for. I bet I'm not alone...

40/50 hp is right at the Horse Power dividing line between a modern Compact type or Utility type tractor. Either will work. We started with subcompacts, then compacts, and finally worked up to Utility type back about 20 years ago. Haven't needed much in the way of repairs since, but parts &...

That's what I'm thinking too. There are a lot of things up there behind the grill. The transmission/hydraulic cooler, some AC components, the engine radiator... and all the stuff on the front of the engine. Do your own research. Maybe treat it like a project and make a list of parts. If you...

If you saw 2600 psi on the gauge when you were working the FEL controls that is good. Don't worry about the hydraulic pump. It is fine. Same for the relief valve, too. If gauge pressure is nder 2000 psi doesn't mean the pump is toast, it just means that either the relief valve needs cleaning or...

Glad it's working now. What you are describing sure sounds like a suction air leak. It's probably the most common hydraulic problem and the least well diagnosed. At least it is very localized - because the only place the hydraulics can suck air is in the connection between the hydraulic...

I'm sure that oils today are better than they once were. But after a lifetime as a mechanic, I'm realizing I have never seen a failure I could say for sure was poor quality or old oil - just as long as the filters were still working and the oil not too contaminated with fuel or water. I have...

I've got an older model sewer and drainage cam. 100' of bfairly rigid cable and a simple forward-lookimg wide angle camera with adjustable lighting. A 10" LCD screen. Rugged and waterproof with a surprisingly good color image. Yep, Chinese made and surprisingly good quality. It has been so...

That's a two stage clutch, right? After replacing that clutch, you are no newby to mechanical things. How is the rest of the MF185. Hours? History? First thing on a two stage clutch is getting the clearance set right. The main clutch and PTO clutch both need clearance so that the PTO gear shaft...

Did you ever put a gauge in the hydraulic system to see what the pressure is? Several people have mentioned it. You need a gauge that measures in the 2000 to 3000 psi range. That is usually done with a 5000 psi gauge for safety. Amazon sells quick-attach gauge kits with all the needed adapters...

I don't know what those caps are you have circled. All those loader control valves look similar, but differ internally. I'm not even going to guess. We can figure it out if you want to do some searching for a flow diagram or at least get us a make and model from your original control valve set...

That's what I do. The Kubota bucket has two pieces of strap steel welded onto the top of the FEL bucket so that they set at exactly the same angle as the bottom of the bucket. Ours have reflective tape, and Kubota positioned them where they are easy to see past the hood. Much easier to see...

A standard older 1970-1972 Chevy PU is my favorite. Small V-8 or 6 cylinder. Part time 4wd is a nice addition if you can find one with it. Or get an older Ford F150. Again, small engine and gasser. You can buy a good one for about 20% of the cost of a new truck. It will last just fine in part...

Well, that's right. I forgot. There's the rest of the world, and then there is California. Seriously, I hope California's policies do work. The rest of the country needs a state willing to experiment. And maybe it is true; maybe putting enough regulations on working people will offset the...

I find about the same percentage of people are do it yourselfers as always have been. Over the years, us fix-it folks tend towards things that were designed to be fixed. Still plenty of those around. I can't drive 5 miles without passing a line of tractors in a row along a field - and everyone...

Well, that's what I wondered... and am hoping. Because I agree they do have some of the features of split rims. Here are some closeups of one wheel taken from each side. The way the wheel is built uses the 4 inner boltsl to connect the wheel dish to the bearing hub..... but what are those outer...

Our landscape rake has two guage wheels running Carlisle 11x4.00-5 tubeless tires on steel rims @ 45 psi. It's time for new tires - the old ones are too weather cracked to continue - and I realized I haven't the slightest idea of how much force it takes to mount these type tires. I've never...

I wish I knew more about Kioti tractors, but I don't. The ones you've found with those kind of low hours do become attractive. Also HP vs emissions. Some of my neighbors have bought Kiotis and they worked for them - though they moved to different brands when updating. One to Kubota and one to...

Setting them cold is the norm. If you are curious, check them warm too. I think you will be surprised at how little they change.

Maybe so, though it makes me wonder....It depends on where the magnets are. Either pre or post filtered oil. Hydraulic system standard suction type filters are limited to about 10 microns when new in order to have a large enough pore size to keep the flow rate up. Pressure and bypass type...

Gravity purification was once a common industrial process. Much cheaper than a centrifuge for large samples. I remember one text book even had typical equations for time vs materials and liquids - now long forgotten. The process was ancient & sometimes used to purify a liquid, but usually for...

Well. I'm more into tractors than politics. But it doesn't take much arithmetic to see that almost half the voters think the last leader didn't do right, and the other half - give or take one or two percent - think they were lucky to have him do what was necessary to prevent even larger...

There is inflation and there is the cost of consumer goods. Very different things - inflation steals away money while it is invested, and consumer prices steal it away when it is spent. But both steal it away. Balancing a 30% increase - or any increase - in investment value requires that...

Hooray for Arithmetic!

You are right that filtration by settling is the very best type of filtration. It is widely used for removing things from solution that are too small for filters with pores to handle. Great for separating fine particles held in solution for everything from dyes to pharmaceuticals. Handy for...

End caps are also called spill guards. They keep the dirt or snow from spilling off of one end of a back blade. Very useful on blades when cleaning ditches. Maybe that is why Woods offers them on their 3pt rakes, but in my experience not much trash never gets to the end. I'll attach a picture...

Yes. I can see where you would feel that way, and good for you. You timed it well. I'm a slow learner, but sometime in my 70s it finally dawned on me that our wealthy friends - the ones who just won the election, BTW - are on a whole different time line than the average guy like you or I...

Offset: Field use is different from pulling a trailer down the road. You go around a field in one direction and always turn the same way. Having the implement offset can be an advantage, so they are built to do that.

What he said about 3 years is true of the low end batteries, the better ones cost more and last longer. Here is what I do. It's not perfect, but doing these things will help: 1. Instead of the old fashioned vented wet cell type battery with caps, get a leakproof AGM type battery with the...

You're probably curious how they work, right? I have a Woods 3pt landscaping rake - also called a spring tooth rake - with end caps, gauge wheels, and a stand. It works, but not as well as I thought it would. I may have expected too much from it. For one thing, unless the ground is entirely...

Absolutely right. People who complain about "high interest rates today" simply aren't paying attention to historical rates. It's just a matter of education.

I wonder how long it will take until the recent post-Covid years become "The Good Old Days"?

Eddie, that's a great post. Thanks.

If you want, take a picture of the leaky fitting and we may be able to identify it. Some have O rings and others do not. If you take it apart and post photos of each side, the chances that we can help improve. As Harry says, no special bleeding is required.

I just bought some extra Battery Minders from Northern Tool. Some I'll keep for various tractors, and others I give away for xmas gifts. I've had good luck with the Battery Minder returning old batteries to full service ... apparently their patented desulfation system works. NoCo may use the...

Extendable or telescoping auto-locking lower arms are a great convenience hooking up to heavy implements. Note that the ball ends allow for up and down plus fore and aft adjustment of the implement. That ability to offset and tilt really helps in some situations and is not possible with the...

Congratulations on a nice old machine. Those old JDs, MF, Fords were designed to last forever and be 100% fixable. Get it in shape and it is good for a second lifetime. That's why the Trans/Hydraulic (T/H) fluid is milky. It has rainwater in it. Also check the center of the steering...

That's what trans/hydraulic fluid looks like when it has absorbed a lot of water - like milk. The water usually gets in as rain/snow seeping past the shifter boots. T/H fluid is made with additives to hold water in suspension instead of separating out. Your T/H fluid started out as a clear oil...

Nice explanation. I see where you are at with it. What a clever challenge you have set up for yourself. I envy you the fun you are having with AI. Thanks for letting us spectators follow along.

What a wonderfully ambitious project, Muhammad. Congratulations for the undertaking. Again you are leading with something all forums will want to have someday. Yes, I see the problems with creating a tagging system that relates the various subject lines - and postings - with specific models...

Looks like it has some raised manufacture info on the part that seals the plug to the block. I'd go after it with a brush and some fuel to see if any info appears.

I bought half a dozen Battery Minder brand battery charger/maintainers.... They make great christmas gifts.

Our Kubota is a similar size. Most open center hydraulic systems in tractors made in the last 20 years run about the same max pressure - 2700 to 3000 psi. Anything over 2000 psi will lift that boom just fine. No open center system will develop more pressure than it has to have to move a...

Back to tariffs, politicians are far better at talking than doing - for which we should be thankful.

I wonder what it turned out to be, or if it ever got fixed.

I've thought about using something like those skids, but don't they cut gooves in the dirt? No one seems to use tires instead of skids, but it seems to me they would work well - maybe better. What am I missing?? rScotty

Now that's interesting... All of us have vacuums, and I've always been curious about the Dysons. Thinking about getting one. Are they really worth the premium price? Why is a V7 worth buying a replacement battery for? BTW, I thought lithium batteries lasted the life of the tool. Not so? I've...

OK. If the flat tax covers everyone and corps too, count me in.

From the reports we are getting about their "conversation, it sounds like they were talking to their mirror instead of each other.

Corporations too?

According to the Brookings Institute, the US needs some immigration to offset the country's population declne in the last 20 years. Not too much or too few, but in the region of a million per year to maintain current levels. That's simple demographics and hard to refute. And similarly...

More work to float it, but worth it.

No need. Once is enough. Thanks for the Thanksgiving News Recipe. It works for us.

Where? Well, now that's about what one would expect. A good Thanksgiving News Recipe is to take one issue each of the NY Post & NY Times, blend well, and divide into equal servings.

Nice if real. Where did you read that? Another problem is that the population replacement in the US has fallen below replacement for more than a generation now. That is too long to turn around with higher birthrates, and has caused all kinds of economic projections to take a dive. The US is...

I'm not familiar with the Ford compacts, and don't believe that many were sold around here. From the data on tractordata. com it does look like a wonderful basic tractor & I wish I knew that whole tractor family better. BTW, nice thread here. Lots of solid info. And now I'm also wondering why a...

Sounds like the battery needs replacing. The auto store guy doesn't know what he's doing. It takes time and a load tester to check a battery for the ability to provide a lot of current needed for starting. There are testing shortcuts. but they still take a full work day or more. Optima battery...

good on you for trying, and nice work. It's disappointing that some things are now made NOT to be rebuidable. That needs to change, but I think next revolution or so. I posted here in #5 tells what I did. BTW, it's stll working, but I'd pay twice as much to buy a rebuildable pump.

Jobs, wages, and the inflatiion have gotten out of balance before. The impression I have from people who lived in previous economic hard times is people economized by building, fixing, and entertaining themselves because they had no other choice. Self-reliance reduced demand for new goods, and...

Fluid should be clear oil almost transparent. Definitely not milky or foamy.

Need more info. Is it just slow or other problems? Will it push like it used to, but just slowly? Does it happen all the time? Fluid and filter should be fine at 200 hrs unless it got water in it. Transmission fluid is normally very clear. Check if yours is milky (water) or filled with foamy...

Ugh, That Shaeffer is an aluminum grease with moly too. In my book that is overkill. I only use moly on the swing pivots of the backhoe and there I use a different moly with lithium as thickener. That way soap at least has a chance to break the grease down. Even so, the moly lives in its own...

Good. As long as you are a mechanical guy, why not? You know the gambles. And I gotta say I miss not having a small compact tractor around the place for chores. Parts wise, the Kubota will be a treat. Maybe you won't need any. And unlike the Ford 5500, that Kubota has parts that you don't...

I figure you must be a pretty good tractor mechanic or you'd be running the other way. So you tell us... what are you going to check for on that tractor before buying it and what do you expect? I'm thinking that L1501 Kubota is a "gray market" model - the local Kubota shop is not going to be a...

Has the FEL or control had the hoses off lately?

Maybe so, or maybe the German-made JDs had a unique hybrid hydraulic system - or an optional hydraulic system or something similar... I wouldn't be willing to say for sure either way. If the tractordata.com gurus got their hydraulic description lines transposed - which is what that entry sort...

The box shows a 180206 valve but your description has a different model number 180207. Typo? At the Cross info site...I couldn't find your DSV series. They do show a loader control valve as a newer? single lever DV series available as a 3000 psi, 2 spool, 15 gpm, SAE #8, & load checks... so if...

Instead of inching the tractor forward and back to hook to an implement, would telescoping 3pt arms accomplish the same thing?

Outboard bearings and seals are the downside to that double bevel gear drive style of front axle. I wish they offered a true industrial rated front axle like the full size machines have. I guess you could always set the relief valve down for the loader. Temptation Reduction.

New or Used? We bought ours in 2008 to do similar work. 60 hp no emissions, 3pt, backhoe, thumb and loader, plus requirement for some sort of shade and open space for the operator. It turned out to be a Kubota TLB. Kubota wasn't even on our list of possibilities. But it's been solid. Normal...

Maybe I missed it, but is this a pressure line to the backhoe or a return line from backhoe to the sump? It's common for manufacturers to use the same hydraulic hose and fittings for both type lines, so they look the same. But whether, how. and what to expect from a repair is very different in...

I know you know....just repeating the obvious. Though I do wish we did have all wheel drive compact tractors to choose from.....and front wheel brakes too. IMHO, both those are about 50 years overdue. At least we do have decent power steering even on subcompacts now - though getting there...

Big Rhino 3-way & Little Rhino 3-way.

Say, your Tufline looks like our similar vintage 8 foot "Big Rhino". Anyone considering one should keep in mind that these big old 3-way blades needs a larger tractor when offset with a tilt & angle. A rear blade for ditches and crowns needs to be 3-way adjustable: offset, tilt, and angle...

A slipping tire protects the 4wd. Unless the lead/lag ratio is zero, the tractor needs to be able to slip at least one tire in 4wd. Tractors are not full time all wheel drive, they are part time 4wd. A good practice is to do what you say and NEVER use 4wd for moving heavy loads - not for any...

Agreed. With a FEL hanging off the front end, adding weight to the other end is necessary. Whether that weight is in tires around the rear axle or farther back on the 3pt does have slightly different effects on stability and front axle loading. Different situations require different ballest...

If you like the lead/lag ratio performance you are getting with the tires you have now, it makes sense to record what your current front and rear tires measure in the standard terms of "loaded rolling circumference". Once you have those Front & Rear numbers you can compare with any...

Our ground is mostly high desert. Old stream bed and dry weathered granite sand. Lots of snow in the winter. There is no point in digging a lugged Ag tire into dry gravely sand, it just doesn't compact. So most owners here don't run any fluid in the tires or wheel weights either. We tend to...

Tractor AI

Yes, I'm wondered around along the same thoughts rbargeron is having.... Anytime the larger Kubotas have a problem that shows symptoms in which the power steering is connected to a HST problem, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the HST and steering share an oil supply. So I'd...

Sounds normal to me. The oil has to slowly seep through the intermediate bearings to get out to the bottom bearings located at the far end of the axle. That is why some of the outer bearings in the bevel gear end of the front axle are special type bearings without side shields rather than the...

Buying an orphan or off brand works fine if you are a good mechanic. Otherwise probably not. Around here old mechanics sometimes buy old Zetors. Darn good basic machines - but only for the mechanically inclined owner. You need a VOM to check the glow plugs. Resistance from the glow plug...

Some ideas from my notes.... all of these have been discussed at some time in the past. None exactly match the symtoms Geek was having. In fact, I don't think they match any of the problems here. But they did happen, so are worth knowing. 1. WHITETIGER SAID (202?) : Next time it starts acting...

A friend of mine bought an small road grader from a local mountain town. Excellent condition and nobody else wanted it. It's the right tool. Takes much less time to do his road, and the road gets better every time. Can tilt the blade for crown and ditching. Maintaining the road puts almost no...

Did you ever identify that odd part? Are those slots in the photo a clue? I'm thinking it may have come from the head, not the block. It is common to reuse the old pistons with new rings..., but those pistons show unusual wear. Usually pistons wear on the thrust faces, but those are worn on...

Most glow plugs circuits have a relay or solenoid that is worked by a signal from the ignition switch. The relay/solenoid closes to allow the high amperage from the battery to go directly through the glow plug fuses and then to the glow plugs themselves. It also turns on the glow plug light at...

I had the same problem with our JD310 loader/backhoe. Hydraulics would be jerky on real cold days until it warmed up. Then it worked normally. The problem turned out to be the suction hose from fluid reservoir to hydraulic pump. It took the mobile JD tech about 30 seconds to diagnose the...

It seems to me that the point that Arrow is trying to make is not just about this one tractor, or even limited to tractors at all. It's more about his feeling that a good dealer should feel an obligation towards their customers. That works for me.

I tried that pump and hose solution. Kept the whole pump and hoses in a 5 gallon pail. It worked fine the first time, but what a fuel soaked mess to keep it all clean. For what I do, several 5 gallon fuel containers are a better solution. I did buy a number of containers with poor caps & spouts...

Exactly. The difference in vertical angles is obvious in the photos, but it could just as easlily be an artifact of how it is setting or photographed. All is just illusion until it's measured. BTW, the OP is cross-posting his same messages between this thread and the thread at...

You're welcome. I bet it is nothing, but lets find out exactly. Now Be Safe. No fair turning the tractor over... or working on it with unsupported parts suspended in midair. And I hope you have somewhere flat and level. A pair of jack stands for usine under the axle is $30 at HomeDepot...

Yes, I see what you are seeing and have no idea why. In a perfect world both wheels would be the same - but it may mean nothing or maybe just how it is sitting. We need more info, go ahead and follow the good advice from Indyfan. Use down pressure on the bucket to lift the front wheels off the...

Pulsing the direct current input is the first step in generating a different voltage. Maybe their advertising got the terrms confused. Bottom line is that any time you use a battery to output a different voltage, you do so by pulsing the basic battery voltage. That unavoidably makes that...

Correct - at least the part about the conductive material falling to the bottom and shorting the plates. When I was a kid we rebuilt car batteries at the garage I worked at. Basically you take the top of the batter off, lift out the plates, scrub out the crud that was shorting them out. Then...

Raising the voltages in the circuits in a battery powered device is easy electrically. Some processes just work better at higher voltages. So the input voltage is not the limit.

On our Kubota the transmission fluid dipstick seals that port being used for your return line. Does yours have the dipstick somewhere else?

In that case, the subcompact would seem to fit. A couple of things in its favor are the 100 hrs - which I tend to regard as "proven" rather than used, reasoning that's enough time for any manufacturing errors to have surfaced and for the PO to have dealt with under warranty. The backhoe is...

I'm glad you brought that up. Subcompacts are best on smooth or improved ground. They just don't have much ground clearance, and both loader and hoe are secondary to use as a mowing machine. Of course even the subcompact will outdig, carry, and outlast several big men working at full speed. ...

I use battery minders. The cheaper models are sufficient, The better models have higher 8 amp charging capability and automatically go into trickle and desulfation mode as needed. I don't often need that capability, but they sure do make excellent xmas and bday gifts.

My first step would be to use the search function on the upper right hand of this TBN home page. Search for that particular model and read what other owners have said. BTW, I didn't have any luck until I searched under the full model name: GC1720eb rScotty Here is a similar model today. New...

I'm not convinced that it needs to be a matched pair.....have to think about that. It would be nicer, no doubt. But absolutely necessary? Not sure. Anyway, we've seen this problem before with poorly engineered loaders. It's not your fault; that type of failure is a known type of bending...

Yikes! How did you figure that?

That's interesting. Ours too. It fires right off. Our 310SG TLB came with 6000 hours on the clock. It was used daily in a very cold climate by a concrete demolition company. From the factory they ordered it with factory block heater, fuel heater, remote ether injector, and a dual battery...

I'm wondering what are favorite references for identifying pressure fittings? I'd like to be more confident with some of the less common ones - like JIC with & without O rings.....

A B21 is a very desireable machine. You are lucky to have found one. Around here, people with those little TLBs are reluctant to part with them. Hope it treats you right.

Well how about that ! Here are 2 old tractor guys and both saying the same things....What were the chances? rScotty

That is exactly ow it works. You will eventually want to make up a simple stand to park the BH on, and then It is no more work than hooking up any other implement. You are going to love the BH, but they do throw a small tractor around pretty easily. You'll appreciate the strength and rigidity...

If it doesn't unscrew easily, you are going to have to get some tools for the job. I cannot tell from the picture how many slots/pin hoes that the end has to grab onto, so I'd suggest a search of type on Google or Amazon using the keyword: hydraulic cylinder wrench, sometimes called a gland...

You don't have much choice since you want a subframe and the PTO pump style. That's not all bad since both are big advantages. The PTO pump is quick to connect, it just slides on and off the PTO shaft. The Woods is a better type of subframe. It has some cross member parts that are permanently...

Something to think on is that Cars and Tractors have different ways of figuring their birthdays.... Unlike cars, tractors are often made in model runs over several years and then warehoused until sold. If changes made during producton, the serial number is necessary for ordering the right...

Which dealership are you leaning toward? I'm surprised a new tractor needs attention at all for the first thousand hours. Have you considered a lease with option? Now that you've been through a few roughly similar tractors, I'm curious what are the lessons learned and what is the next step....

You did get quite a deal. Might be the best deal of the year. If the draft is not the culprit - and hooking up to any of those heavier implements should answer that - then my guess is you will be back inside that 3pt again. This time looking for something bent or sheared. Maybe set the 3pt...

Well, darn it. The draft control sure sounded good. We know draft control engages when there is compression on the top link. I don't know which way your top link rocker is oriented. We also know on old tractors that one of the rocker pin holes makes draft control real sensitive, and the hole...

Does your Jubilee have draft control? If so, can it be disengaged? It sounds like you are accidently actuating the draft control when dumping. Maybe posting a photo of the area where the top link attaches to the tractor would show that. Or, go to where the top link attaches to the tractor. If...

I'd put the tailgate down and throw it into the pickup truck longwise with the hitch end festooned with ropes and pointing up like a mast Tie off all the shrouds and drive home.

What ptsg says works. Our JD also came with lever-controlled remotes. We use bungee cords to hold the lever in position. From the rear, the remote hoses run forward where they hook to the pressure and return ports on the FEL loader control valve. I originally did it that way back in 1989 when...

I wash ours about once every couple of years. Some of it by garden hose and some by pressure wash. Usually in warm weather and always avoid the electrics, steering, and seat. In fact I cover the operator area with a tarp. I try to remember to disconnect the battery first. That's just good...

Those high prices must be a West Coast or California thing. Fuel and gasoline prices in The Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska have been reasonable this year. Today I paid $3.15 for regular gas in downtown Denver, but last week was $2.77. Last month it was even less. Prices also falling for food...

Very nice work, Winter Deere. I did something similar when calculating raises for a town's water employees last year. The actual numbers came out very close to a multi-year average CPI... around 4%. Using that, I was able to get them closer to a 5% raise. Reviewable in 2 years. rScotty

I don't buy tools based on whether they are an investment. I buy them based on whether the tool is useful. Sometimes that leads to fixing a broken one.

Interesting. I take a different approach. I look at the hydraulic system schematic and at what specs I can find, then use my experience in manufacturing engineering to think about how I would design a filter to meet those specs. Making filters right is a difficult technical target - which is...

I love to hear stories like that. I remember when were looking that MF has a comfortable seating position on their little tractors too. Yesterday we had a bunch of downed trees to cut up. Mostly small trunks and large limbs. Apple, willow, and pine. Using the tracto with backhoe and thumb we...

Based on what?

GL4 & GL5 lube and corrosion differences have been a standard part of mechanical knowledge for a long time. It's standard knowledge for anyone who does manual transmission and/or final drive work. I remember our shop mechanics paid attention to lube type back in the late 1960s.

I'm just guessing, but there could be as many different filter systems as there are tractor brands. "Compatible" covers too much territory to make me feel comfortable. I'm a tech guy. I'd be surprised if there are any compatible aftermarket filters when it comes to the way that our Kubota HST...