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I had a year with bad fuel from a normally dependable source. at about 25 degrees, I couldn't get more than an idle out of my old Cub Cadet with the Cat Diesel. Power service and a new filter got it running. Then I cut the fuel to about 50% kerosene. No problems the rest of the winter. Now, I...

Doubling down on the advice to keep the dies oiled! Oil is cheap in the long run.

I have a place that sharpens for 6 bucks. Saves me the frustration.

Never seen or heard of air being a factor. Certainly could be a piece of the equation. I think it's more likely a knot of series of them in the wood. I've had pieces pop, but never as badly as described here.

Maybe your health department can help. This will depend on state and local laws

All the different colors in my area: both the orange ones, the red one both the blue ones and the green one all are showing plenty of stock for the last couple months. New truckloads show up with a reasonable frequency.

I totally understand the desire to have one machine that will do it all, and get it for an afordable price. The thought of such a machine having what the website calls a "go-kart" feel gives me an unsettled feeling. I suspect the woody plants it would take care of would not be much more than 1/2...

Have to agree with that thought. Never seen a Zetor around here; but I've shot some CZ pistols and they're finely-made machines.

If someone else is buying, I'd take one of any color--or one of each!

This is great information. Dealing with tractor insurance is a good reason to have an insurance agent you can trust. You might be able to get good deals on line, but an agent understands the fine print and, if you've got a history with the company, you can trust what you're told.

If you take a zero off the end of the price, you couldn't get hurt too badly if you sold if for scrap, or maybe parts. For what it's worth, here are some of the tech-specs: Kubota L2202 technical specs, dimensions, horsepower, fuel economy and equipments diesel

:cool: ...and here I thought the angle was for style!

You already have a bunch of good advice. Just remember that when talking drainage, drain as low as you possibly can get. A couple hundred feed of tile, or a few hundred feed of open trenching my cost $ or time, but will be well worth the trouble and investment.

Wish I could find the pic of the belt-driven buzz saw on my dad's Farmall Cub from back in the mid-70s.

Learning to use a manual transmission on a tractor is not at all like using one on a car or pickup. Don't let it scare you. Just put it in the gear you want and go. You don't working about going through the gears.

I'm jumping in sort of late, but have to think you're making the right choice. I've never been unhappy keeping something I can afford, as long as I can maintain it.

I echo the thought of posting some pictures when you're done. Can't wait to see the end result!

Semi-pneumatic is the proper term. The flex a bit with normal weight of items such as ZT mowers and should give long service life. Heavier machines will likely wreck them in a hurry.

Doing a concrete headwall is a great idea. However, you may find that you can do it with stone of some sort for less money--even if it's a bit more labor-intensive. There is a good book on Best Management Practices that was put out by NYS Forestry that describes how do do it. Here's a link to...

I don't weld enough to call myself a welder; but mine look better than that. Mine generally hold up; but don't have a lot of stress on them. The welding on this gate might be problematic.

Totally agree with the Farmall Cub advice! A great tractor with lots of simple to use implements available, if you have the patience to look for them.

I have to agree that the YouTube failres look like overuse...maybe even a bit of drama due to an axe to grind with the brand/dealer. You're taking on a huge project for someone with only a few days here and there to do the work. I'd suggest get the dozer you hire for the road to do the major...

If clearances are tight (no room for a pipe), and you're not too worried about a box wrench, a solid blow to the wrench with a 2-3 pound hammer might do the trick. I have a 4 pound lead hammer that's worked for that without damaging the wrench.

They tightened in the direction that the wheels turned, as I recall. Too long ago to be sure.

I don't recall anyone successfully rebuilding a burned over piece of farm machinery...or a motor vehicle, for that matter. Just not worth the time. Probably not even worth trying to part out.

Going to echo the applause for your system of working through the problem. There are many who call themselves experienced who can't figure all that out. Good job!

That's simple science, so air alone should make some difference in the ride, though with the R4s, I'm not sure how much difference. The other issue is if you are adding a FEL. When I bought my B2301, (even though I had to wait some months for the loader) the dealer would not let it out the door...

One spot of weld on the nut should fix it. If you have to change things at some point in the future, a quick touch with a grinder (or a file if you don't use an exceptionally hard rod) will let it come off.

The 1953 Farmall Cub (in my picture) was a bear to start. I had both starter and generator rebuilt--by a pro--and that helped some. Adding an 8 volt battery took care of the problems for as long as I kept it. Since it sounds like you're looking to keep the tractor looking like an original, the...

I'm joining this discussion late, but tossing in a word of caution if you do the flea market/junk sale route. Check the chain for signs of stretch or joining with repair links of some sort. I was given about 20 feet of 5/16 chain some years ago, it was worth exactly what I paid for it--NOTHING...

Something I've not seen mentioned is the matter of tongue weight and towing stability. I know the intended purpose of the OP is short, infrequent trips; but I also understand that the best-laid plans of mice and men oft-times run amok. Here's a helpful website: How to Measure Tongue Weight

Had I known about the R-14s, I likely would have bought them. However, after punching too many turf tires on my last tractor, I went for the R-4s and have not been unhappy. They may mark up the lawn a bit, but I can deal with it, since I have mowed some nasty places and haven't punche one.

I have one old can like that. When it goes empty, it gets whatever I have a partial can of just lying around. It may be 30 weight, 10w-40, might get some power steering fluid occasionally. For the general tasks I use it, it doesn't really matter.

I'm generally in the 5/15 club as a couple others have commented. When I had the Cub Cadet 6284, I let it idle for longer in cold weather as the Cat (Perkins built) engine wasn't good in the cold. The Kubota I'm far more willing to shut off, even for a couple minutes.

Looks a lot like the vole damage I get in my Christmas tree farm. I use a poison called Mole-Tox. Here's a link to its MSDS. Its active ingredient is zink phosphide...

If it works, there's likely no harm in leaving it. If it doesn't fully disengage, then you need to remove--or shorten--the added bar. I have to think that if the norm is to disengage by stepping on it, it was a way to keep it from being overly pressured. Or...just maybe...a previous owner had a...

To reiterate what has been said often: Shop the dealer! Some are total crooks, some have good service departments, some are terrible Caveat Emptor--fancy Latin for "Let the buyer beware" Sometimes a rebuild, from a decent shop, is the best bet for both time and economy You get what you pay...

A general rule is that "if it bent cold, it'll straighten cold." Biggest problem is not bending something else while you're fixing one problem. Sounds like you took care of that. Any time you can remove the bent piece and not endanger any other part, you're better off to do that. Almost always...

I don't carry a rifle on my tractor; but ALWAYS have a pistol, be it for groundhogs, an overly-friendly coyote, or 2-legged predator.

For what it's worth, I "over-bought" on the trailer I have, now I have bigger toys and wish I had a bigger trailer. And so it goes, I'm afraid.

With my R4 tires, it becomes very obvious on the grass if I forget to take it out of 4WD after getting through a wet spot. The front wheels mark up the lawn more than a little bit if I turn too sharply.

Assuming that Sunandsand was quoting that magazine article verbatim, that magazine should filter its writers :cool:

You probably will get up and running faster--and cheaper--if you can find a local shop that does hydraulics. Doubling down on the advice to "Bring all parts so they can match threads!" A good guess by the best shop may not be good enough.

They're a great little tractor. Enjoy working it and enjoy the banter on this forum.

I run between 80-100 hours/year. Since gas is cheaper than diesel at the moment--by quite a bit, I have been using a smaller mower for part of my yard; but the bulk of the mowing is still with the tractor. I also cut my brush, clear driveways, haul some wood and other FEL work. All this on 13 acres.

With the right implement(s) and enough time you can accomplish an incredible amount of work with a small tractor. My ID picture, an old Farmall Cub, was designed to replace a mule--having about the same capability for a day's work. In its day, that was a standard everyone understood. You've...

Biggest problem I've heard locally with Mahindra is getting reliable service. A couple shops are OK; others, NO-K.

One small thing to remember: A 4-wheel-drive will get you stuck in places you'd never go with 2 WD! My ground is pretty level, so if I were going to go bigger, a 2 WD would be fine. In general though, as someone else has said already, you never someone saying "I wish I'b bought a 2 WD."

Probably a long shot, but...is the carb tight to the engine? That could cause the same symptoms once it gets warm...and the symptoms would subside when it cools down. I had a motorcycle engine do this.

Someone else already commented on this but... If this is a fairly recent happening, when was it last serviced? Was the filter changed? That might be a cheap fix...along with using a higher viscosity oil in hotter weather/heavier loads.

This might not be the ideal situation; sometimes you can find old spring-tooth harrows sitting unused and pick theme up for scrap price, or just to get them out of somebody's yard. Set to maximum depth they creat pretty decent furrows in well-tilled soil.

For what it's worth, my grandfather, approaching 80 years old, with a bad heart, would cut a very steep bank alongside his house, about 75 feet high, 300 feet long, with a sythe. He'd pick a cool morning, work at it for 3 minutes, sit in the shade for 10, take a drink and repeat. Essentially, a...

If you're looking to do you friend a favor, the $750 is probably pretty fair, notwithstanding the market. HOWEVER A couple other guys have given the most important thought: DON'T go without commercial insurance! Not that you need another way to estimate it but, one friend who would rent out...

When I bought my B2301 last year, I got the tractor in June with the loader promised for August...then the loader seemed to disappear somewhere after it left the factory. It showed up the first week of September. My local dealer was getting ready to bring me a skid-steer so that I could do a...

Alexpops gave you a great flowchart on diagnostics--cheapest first...working toward the more expensive. In the meantime, read, read, and read some more. Lest I forget, have fun with your project!

I bought a single axle Big Tex with a load weight of about a ton. I only bought it for "just one thing." Boy was that a mistake. Buy a 2 axle trailer. It'll be worth it over the long haul. The car-hauler from a previous post has a lot of merit for all the reasons specified thare.

Check with the factory on matters of warranty. Not saying you can't trust the dealer, but.....

That 40 foot container, with good locks, of course, sounds like a good idea. Keep the tractor near the door and use the rest of the space to stockpile things you need when you find them for a good price.

After a trauk mower pulled behind the old Cub, I went to a Bolens with a belly mower, to a 28 HP Cub Cadet with a belly mower; now in a Kubota B2301 with the 60 inch belly mower (OK, MMM is the proper term). The Kubota takes me less than 5 minutes. After the messing around with the previous to...

Don't forget, shop the dealer. If you get the best tractor and can't get service, it's not the best tractor anymore.

:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

That whole idea of a siesta has a LOT of merit, particularly in the heat.

My garage has two overhead doors on the gable end and a somewhat smaller one in the side near the back--a stroke of genius, in my book; I only wish I could claim the credit. You get varable angles of entrance/exit which has proved helpful in a few cases.

The reality of water rationing ought to be the final nail in the coffin--for the activity, not for you. Scratch the plan until cooler temps prevail and watering is not a problem.

I sort of like the high-explosive option, myself. :unsure:

If memory serves me correctly, the 55 has a six-speed transmissin and live PTO. I think it's more than a match for a pretty good-sized rotary cutter. I still love the old green machines (not that "other" green) along with the old red ones.

You may want to factor projected fuel costs into your purchasing plans. I mow about 4 acres and have a B2301 with a 60 inch deck--drive on/off--and find it pretty handy, though a bit tough to get under the trees. After having a larger Cub Cadet with a mower that was a pain to mount and...

That other penalty was far too harsh!

You may be over-thinking this; but even if so, the 10 gallon at a clip test is probably a logical way to do the test--sort of painful; but it'll work and cause minimal damage if you should find a leak.

Dude, you must be a union guy, or a government beaurocrat. :cool: :cool:

Don't loan anything you cannot affort to have broken or not returned at all, espcially to a neighbor like that. Your wife seems to have given the proper evalulation.

I always snug it up with a wrench...it's a pain in the neck; but it stays where I put it.

I had two of the booster packs. Neither lasted more than a couple years. Problem is that if you need a quick start where there's no power, they work where often nothing else is convenient.

Weclome to the gang, SmallRedTractor. Most people here are pretty helpful...and most of us honest enought to admit we don't have all the answers. There has even been a thread about the "dumbest things" we've ever done. Most were pretty honest and self-deprecating. Hope the matter comes out OK.

Though I agree that the average worker at the TSC stores aren't the most experienced or sometimes the brightest, I've alsways found them helpful. They'll check whatever they can for you if you ask. Yes, I'd check for consistent welds and other construction flaws, but the average user should be...

For what it's worth, the electronics don't seem to work on red squirrels

We often used chunks of old fire hose on boat lines as protection against chaffing. Works like a charm.

Welcome to the gang. Enjoy.

Sounds like a dealer we'd all love to have around!

Have a living, breathing human being answer the phone. "Press 1 for parts, 2 for service..." gets old. You've already been given most of what I could/would add.

All of a sudden my pile of drivers looks sub-standard

This has been a good thread for me as I'm in the "thinking about it" stage. My son bought into the Kobalt line of tools because he like Lowes. He's been pretty happy with the saw. I've been a Stihl user for some years, having replaced my 20 inch 034 with a 16 inch 211 a few years back (in...

When a young teen, I had a Beaver brand garden tractor--big Wisconson engine, tiller steering, one speed (slow) forward and one (even slower) reversed. The forward/reverse was a treddle, which would lock in the forward gear. I hooked a piece of old equipment that was many years grown under the...

If you find a second mini for a grand, call me and I'll come get it!

I have often advocated for counting the cost of a purchase over rental price. I had given consideration to buying the backhoe attachement for my B2301, roughly $6500 when I bought the tractor. Common sense, and my own advice, prevented me from pulling the trigger on it (even though my wife made...

I bought a Woods 48 inch cutter a few years back. It was used, the frame that mounts the trailing wheel had been bent--rebuilt it with channel iron--and I gave an even grand for it from a local dealer not noted for low prices.

I must admit, the battery powered gun is becomming a VERY attractive options as my hands get older and less nimble. Probably a purchase in the near future.

I hide my equipment keys, though not so well that I can't find them myself :giggle: I'm at that age, or getting to it, anyway. I can buy my own Christmas presents and be surprised when my wife puts them under the tree.

I had that issue. I'm much more careful about raising the tiller at the end of the rows now.

My experience with the tape has always been good. I did plumbing/heating work *back in the day* and never had a problem. HOWEVER, never, NEVER, put it on the first or second thread.

I have used Sea Foam, though I prefer Star Tron. I generally turn the gas off in my generator after every test run; but for some reason did not do that one time. Could NOT start it. A shot of starter fluid--no sermons needed, I know the risks--started it; but it only ran choked. I dosed up the...

I mow about the same amount of ground in about the same time with a B 2301. I suspect a Z-turn would be faster; but I need the other functions of the full tractor. I'm pretty happy with the cut, but when the ground is soft my R4 tires leave some impressions in the ground. Since I want the R4s...

Seems like a LOT of money to maintain such a small parcel. I'm an advocate of renting the tools you need for the time you need them. The cost of that backhoe, which has limited application, would buy a lot of time with a reasonablly sized excavator. The tracked machine would likely do the work a...

Have a great time with the machine.

Lists such as theses are totally subjective. You can selectively mine the data, pick and chose your favorite high and low points, and from that you prove about anything you'd like. Statistics without context is valueless

I have a crushed stone roadway about a thousand feet long with a slightly differnt problem; but a possibly similar solution. I used a pretty heave rear rake, angled to pull the edges inward, depositing the stone toward the center. I then flattend that out a bit with the rake leveled off and...

It may have alread been said; but I considered adding a backhoe to my tractor, which has a FEL. It would have run about 6500 bucks. I can rent a mini excavator, delivered, for about 500 for a weekend. One weekend a year is 13 years worth of a better machine, and ZERO in upkeep and storage issues.

I'm at the same point with lifting 5 gallon cans, so this post has been helpful to me as well.

I'll add my 2 cents worth, from one preacher to another. Even if you have mechanics in the family, shop the dealer. Nothing like dealer knowledge. I had an Iseki-built tractor years ago in the same horsepower range, branded as a Bolens and it was tough as nails. Ran as well when I sold it as...

I'm a Toyota guy, at 160 K on my second Tacoma, 225 K on my last one. I started thinking about a new truck and a bight red one on the lot sucked me right in for a look--and it was "lightly used" not new. Price was rediculous. Nothing new on the lot...nor anywhere else. Everything new is now by...

I think the 60 inch is overtaxing the 25 HP a bit. I run a 48 behind a B 2301. Lots of power, and I cut close to the ground as well.

Excellent, and often overlooked advice for a 1st time buyer.

There are a few Mahindra dealers who really know tractors--just added the brand to an existing lineup of other products; but they are very rare. Most places don't have the facilities or skills to handle a major problem with any tractor...compact or otherwise.

Great advice so far, here's another tip--hopefully a helpful one. If you've been hanging around the auctions for awhile, you've seen the same couple guys who come early, carry clipboards full of notes--or have their faces buried in their phone/tablets--and bid on a LOT of equipment, usually...

I have reached the point where I am purging piece by piece. Whether it's my shop, my library or my clothes closet, things just have to go so our kids don't have to deal with it when the time comes (they've thanked me for that). I am, however, tossing old and mismatched "stuff" and getting...

I've gone from a machine with turf tires and no weight, to one w/R4s and Rim Guard. The machines weigh in at about the same but the juice does add about 400 pounds. My lawn does suffer from some marking, but I think it's more the tire imprint that's the cause than the weight/sq. foot. I chose...

My very first thought when I read the original post. I'm sure I'd hit one in the first couple trips in and out.

A clevis for the drawbar; a couple of heavy-duty carabiners, an assortment of zip-ties, bungeecords and a short coil of rope of some kind. Hope that ammo box is a big one ! :cool: You've got a ton of suggestions--all of them really good.

My long-departed grandfather would tell about something called cynagas. Probably highly illegal; but the stories about what it killed were impressive!

Historically, I've done the work myself. Every tractor before the current Kubota was an older machine to begin with, so I didn't worry about inadvertantly messing up a warranty on something. With the new tractor, I'm rethinking this. It went in for its first service and I was not unhappy with...

The R 14 looks intriguining. I've used all three. The R1 tore up lawn when used there; the turf did well on the lawn, but I had to patch, plug and replace them all the time with some of my applicatioins. I'm one season into the R4 and really like them. I've not had any side stability issues...

Check with the manufacturer's recommendations, if you can find them. Or talk to your shop/service center/dearler. I burned out a heater by leaving it plugged in for a very cold week. Did me no good after that.

Somewhere an OSHA inspector's head just exploded!

Never thought of that forcefield effect. NOW I UNDERSTAND! :cool::oops::giggle:

My Kubota barely clears...but that's good enough. However, I can rock it back about 30 degrees, and pin it there. It drops it by nearly a foot.

Buy large! You'll not regret going up a size, especially with your size. In all honesty, an older--maybe even 25 years or so, may be more comfortable for you. A buddy of mine, in your size range, just can't fit on most newer tractos. Though I like HS, given your need to open up mucky soil...

Remember, I said maybe... I live just a bit north and west of New York's Capital Region. This morning, driving along one state highway, I passed three dealers of compact tractors. I saw a few Yanmars at the smallest of the dealerships; there was a pretty good selection of LS on one lot that's a...

In today's overly litigious society, if you loan it and he hurts himself or someone else, you're liable to own the injury. I've done my neighbor a favor with my tractor in the past, even a few hours worth, but load it out? NOPE!

I use a bucket loader on all but one walk that I can't get to. It'll move anything with a bit of patience. I will go out and do the walk shortly, before it builds up fully. Same on the decks--not waiting to move it all at once. The driveway will wait until it's about done, they I'll clear it.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I got the set together this afternoon when I had a few minutes and the garage was reasonably warm. I found the gauges largely inoperative. I replaced the oxygen set as I'd been given a new set. The ox gauge tells me I've got about 1400 pounds of pressure in...

Sorry that I can't find any of my records, but there was a guy in Iowa who had everything for a Bolens branded Iseki that I had. For what it's worth, in the same time frame, White-Oliver had some Iseki-built machines branded as theirs.

Thanks for that. In my collection, the two acetylene tanks both are supposed to be at least partially filled. With my current usage plan, and my current age, that could be a lifetime supply :). I hope I outast the gas...and the gas outlasts any shortage.

Thanks.

Dealers should make this post mandatory reading for first tractor buyers.

After thinking it would be a good idea, I finally have put a set of torches together, buying pieces by way of FB Marketplace and Craigs List. Once I get them all assembled, I need to get back into the groove--it's been about 35 years since I've had my hands on a torch, let alone set the...

That explains the short life on my inhalers. Thanks!

The simplist solution that fits the facts is the obvious answer. GFI in the circuit is a suspect; a bad outlet or bad connection on the outlet is another (check the wire with a meter, not your finger!). Could a rat or mouse have chewed through the wire somewhere? If so, replacing the entire run...

That's more than a donut problem. See if your local USDA office or your county Soil and Water Conservation Disdtrict, if your state has such a thing, officers any sort of advice on this. Around my part of NY, they're incredibly helful. That, depending on the area of drainage, may well be state...

My first couple--make that several--range changes on my brand new B series were a bit stiff. Gentle, steady pressure generally took care of it. After a hundred hours or so, it got better.

Glad I'm not the only one who has experienced that. Seems like the odder the size, the worse the spot, as well.

I have found a 7018 AC that runs pretty well on my old Fleetweld 300. It does take a bit of practice and it's too easy to have the heat set too high...I have had to repair a few burn holes on a couple projects.

I'm afraid your DIY gassifyer will eat up all the time you'd planned for your project.

Miscellaneous comments: Mix your fuel, either before it goes into the tank or in the tank--whether you're adding a treatment, or kero to your diesel fuel. Let it run 10 minutes or so at low speed to have it saturate the whole system. I've heard the same story about restsarting the engines on...

I priced a unit to attach to my new B series Kubota. About $6500. Rental for a small excavator is about $400 a day in our market, maybe a bit less. I did the math and will rent the excavator...and won't have to store it when it's not on the tractor.

To the point of ruts in a soft lawn...yeah, it happens. My first tractor was the cub with loaded ag tires and wheel weights. I dragged a finish mower for the lawn. All in all, not bad on marking up the lawn. My next tractor was an 15 horse diesel Bolens with no weights, no liquid, turf tires...

I pulled a 60 inch tiller with a 28 HP Cub Cadet diesel with no problem. Now using a 48 inch behind a 23 HP Kubota, also no problem. Some of my ground is pretty hard; but once it's in the ground, slow speed (love HSTs) allows a smooth finish. I've also done the offset trick to get a smooth...

Greasing is the worst part of preventive maintenance. Between the grease cartridges--and yes, I'm old enought to have done it by hand--and frozen-up zerk fittings, along with a few other odds and ends that crop on occasion, I HATE IT!

Hope she's still smiling in a few weeks :cool::unsure:

I'm certainly not an expert on this, (I've done a bit of raking but not much with any back blade or box blade), but could the pitch of the blade be part of the problem? You would adjust that with the center link

Though I admit this is a long shot, after beging sure you have the pressure relieved, try putting some pressure on the male component as you press against the collar of the female component. As for which hose, just look for the nearest connection to the connector you're trying to uncouple. A...

Love the humor--you surely must be, or have once been--a government worker; likely at policy-making level. :unsure:

Recently, I saw a couple custom F-250s--VERY nicely done-up custom jobs--going down the road on a trailer. The truck pulling them was a big Ram. Just thought I'd toss that out there ;)

If your point of pull is above the line of your rear axle, you're essentially driving out from under the tension of whatever you're trying to pull. That will flip it. Did it a long time ago with a 7 HP Beaver garden tractor--have the scar to prove it, I'd rather still have that little Beaver...

I've been using Star-Tron along with non-ethenol fuel in all my small engines for years. That would be a generator, weed-eater, chain saw, and leaf blower, along with a 21 horse Husqvarna mower. I do try to run things dry; but sometimes it's not feasable to do that with some equipment. Last...

Regarding the golf course idea: Friends (two brothers) parcelled out their property between them. One had gravel--lots of it and was happy to run a pit operation. The other built a golf course, a nice one. He asked me to guess what it had cost him. I had no idea. He said, "Take a wild guess and...

I don't think anyone asked if the cylinder might already be bent. That could have caused the repaired base to break. Once again, a picture would help.

Talk to other tractor owners. Find out what dealership has the best service department...that is critcal. It's even worth another 40 minute drive.

Having tilled with a gear tractor and a couple different HSTs I'll tell you that the HST is easier due to the infinate variation of grounds speed. If you're worried about the loader givning stability problems on the slope, just dismount it. They all come off pretty quickly these days, or at...

A lesson that I hope was learned here: always wear safety glasses with doing ANYTHING around any battery.

My problem with running a Cub was that I always had to tinker for 20 minutes before I could do anything with it. I still miss it, though. IH small tractors were a part of my heritage.

I'd talk to someone who builds fireplaces for a living. They generally understand the dynamics of draft better than the rest of us. Also, using dry hardwood is a big help. The punky stuff that most of burn in bonfires don't do well is open fires.

I apparently missed this when it was posted. I had a 6284 and ran it several years with few problems that could not be traced to the previous owner. If you want to private message me I can give you a few things to look out for so you can get many years out of it. wspitcher@gmail.com

Being in the "old guy" range--10+ years on you, I vote with the guys who told you to let your son in law do the heavy cutting and you can do the limbing and run the mill. By my mid 50s I was not nearly so nimble as I was in my 40s. Think safety even above the fatigue factor. All I cut now are...

I started last Wednesday with a list of those 4 minute jobs. Most went pretty well; but it still took me all day to accomplish a handful of them. :cool:

The "blow up" guy have more lug nugs than I have.

Had on on my previous tractor and made use of it often. Then I caught it on a tree...that was the end of it. Missed having it, but got by; Miss it on this one.

A rented excavator for a day would likely have your problem knock out in far less time than any other solution. Once they're down, you have more options on dealing with them.

Taking a child for a ride on a tractor is one thing; trying to do any work on the tractor with a child onboard is another. My grand-girl in the photo was a passenger only for pleasure, never working. Buy a side by side for the fun times. To summarize and expand a bit what many have said...

My situation (in and omong trees) makes the cab a poor prospect. A winter approaches, it does look more attractive. A couple hours of plowing would be more comfortable inside.

DO NOT depend on any large retail chain of stores. Go to a True Value, Ace, or any independent hardware store. Someone there can match up what you have. Fastenall is also a good option, but you may not have one in a reasonable distance.

I guess I'm lucky I don't have them. I do, however deal with groundhogs/woodchucks. I use lead poisoning, delivered by way of high-velocity hollow points.

Sort of combining some of the thoughts... Rent an excavator, dig a BIG hole next to it and use the excavator to "help" it in. Of course, then you have to deal with all the settling around the now new hole.

Calcium was the only way to go for any number of years. There are better options today; Rimguard seems to be the best out there. You may save the rims if you act quickly. I would certainly dismount the tires, and clean/repaint them before starting over.

When I traded up the the Kubota, I bought the one they had in stock and not yet sold. It was still on the pallet and had to wait for it to be assembled. I did have to wait about 10 weeks for the loader, but it's now all together and in use.

I went from a tractor with turf tires to R4. Found the same thing. A bunch of trade-offs. I'm pretty happy with the R4s.

i must agree with the STRONG DEALER SUPPORT comment above. Whatever you buy, you want to be able to get it serviced, fixed, or at least get sound advice when you need it. I've dealt with discontinued brands and it often gets very expensive to get parts when you need them.

Maybe a rototiller?

I just traded a compact tractor for a new machine. I had told the dealer everything I knew to be wrong with it. A friend who works at the shop has now told me that it went out to auction, as there was more wrong than I'd thought. I feel a bit guilty; but am assured by the dealership that they...

Obviously, I love the Cubs. The A and Super A are also great tractors. They both have their limits when compared to a modern compact tractor...but there's something about a Cub that makes my juices flow.

It's a matter of upfront cost, use and preference. That said, I don't know anyone who regrets having bought one.

I took delivery of my new Kubota several weeks ago. Though the FEL was part of the package, it was not yet in the dealer's hands. As of last week it was on a truck, headed our way...hoping for next week.

The reality is that a slip clutch, left in the weather, might very well lock up tight. My local dealer even warned me that it can happen if you don't pay attention to it.

I was continually popping shear bolts on a 4' brush hog, some of it when engaging or disengaging the PTO (it was an electric clutch--hard and fast on engaging and disengaging.) The clutch took care of all that pretty nicely.

If I may summarize the best of all the advice you've been given: examine your options (new, old beater, tractor--if you have one); your need (snowfall, getting to work, access to EMS and other emergency service); and your desire (do you want to have to mess with it and do you have the time?)...

This seems to be the wisest advice!

I've been using Stabil for a number of years in every can of gas I bring home. It has given me good results. I use only non-ethenol fuel in all my gasoline engines. I've also added Star Tron to the machines when I've filled the tanks or mixed my 2 stroke fuel. HOWEVER, I hadn't used my...

I've experienced the same thing. Seems like it's always doing pretty rough brush-hogging, nothing else. Zip ties and or mechanic's wife both are satisfactory fixes. I'm not patient enough to use bolts and lock nuts, though it's probably the absolute best fix.

I got bit a L O N G time ago. My dad repaired farm equipment. The first thing I ever drove was a Farmall A. Finally hit the point in life where I had the room and need (not to mention the funds) for the things I wanted. Four tractors later, I'm in a brand-new orange one. Loving it.

Must have mis-typed it. It's a 2301. Same basic frame as its 26 HP big brother. I put 10 hours on it in a couple days of use. Very happy with it. It replaced the 28 hp Cub Cadet and I don't notice any loss in power. It also handles a 4 ft. bush-hog without the front-end loader to counterbalance...

I just made the leap and bought a brand new 2106, with a 60" drive-on mower and loader. The loader is to be delivered/installed next month. I took deliverery just the other night and got my first use of it today. The mower did a very nice job, giving me a clean cut with no problems and no...

I just eye-balled one with about 95 hours on it. Looks good, price seems reasonable; but I don't have a baseline for prices. Anybody out there who can clue me in?

I've got a Utica Boiler, gas fired with a power vent; it's about 10-12 years old. I'm on the 3rd vent fan assembly. The last two have failed, with either the fan itself going off line and striking the housing an impeller in the motor itself going out of whack striking the side. They go far...

I've been noticing a slight decline in the battery power over the winter when I'm not using my 6284 every few days. In the summer, I never noticed it. If it sits more than a couple weeks the battery is pretty low. I now disconnect it when it's going to be unused for more than a week, but I...

I read with interest all the threads about hard starting diesels in colder weather. Probably all CUT diesel owners do the same, wondering when they'll have the problem. I'm on my second diesel now. The first was a Bolens 15 HP which started hard until, on advice from a retired diesel...

I've got a 6284 with about 350 hours. One of my front wheels has developed a leak. There's a bit of slop in the wheel when you lift it up, too. Anybody got an idea of how big a job that will be or know where there's a service guide on-line for it? Thanks.

I know it's early, but the time to start looking is now. Was there a front-mounted snowblower made for the 6284, or similar enough to fit without problems? If so, anybody know where I might find one?

It's about that time of year again. For the last 3 years or so, beginning sometime in May, we are infested with a small brown ant (sorry, never thought to take a close-up for ID). They have confined themselves to our kitchen, but no amount of house-keeping will seem to keep them out. Various...

I recently got a Cub Cadet 6824, and before mowing I replaced the spindle belt as the one on it was a bit chewed up. About 1000 feet into my first mowing of the year, it threw the belt. I reset it, and it did it again, again and again...and once more for good measure. All that in about an...

Once again, thanks to all those who posted comments about the 6284, allowing me to research and chose this tractor. I got my "new" to me Cub Cadet 6284 home today and immediately pulled off the mower to service it. Though the tractor has 300 hours on it, I doubt that the mower has more than...

Tomorrow I'll be picking up my "new" Cub Cadet 6284. I found a lot of helpful information about the tractor here, so figured I'd join. I'm really a die-hard Farmall guy, with a love of the old cubs, but just can't keep tinkering with them and working them at the same time. I had Bolens 154...