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Funny you mention that. I had JUST wondered that myself last night before turning in for the night. I'll have to look at hose lengths, etc.

Some of that. Mostly I finally have a NEED for this backhoe. When I started, it was more of a curiosity project... i.e. can I do it? I have a camping property that I now need to dig places for pavilions, outhouse, etc. I'm taking the gamble that the hours I spend building a backhoe will be...

I started a backhoe project 13 years ago (Finally Building my Backhoe), and I'm finally working on finishing it. In those 13 years I have gained a few tools that have proven very valuable in the most recent stages of the build. One is an old Craftsman Atlas lathe. This has been great for...

Yeah, I was hoping that once I started putting stuff together the geometry of a seating postition would reveal itself a little better. I'm going to have something above the hydraulic tank, but I'm still working out the details of how to get it there.

Here is another picture of the subframe with the mainframe attached to it. Things must have gotten a little warped in the final weld-up because I had to tap on the main frame to get it to settle on the pins of the subframe. A little time with a die grinder will probably fix this. It's a...

Yes. I don't think I'll actually quick detach it much. I'm anticipating the weight will make this machine work much better, and I don't have anything else that would go back there. I also want to preserve the option of mounting it on my compact tractor in the future if the desire arises.

My status update so far... I have the subframe that mounts to the dozer all fabbed up. In the attached picture, the subframe is not finished. I had to get it in place before I could figure out a set of braces that hold it more solidly to the frame. I ended up drilling a 1/2" hole into the...

I'm just assuming that my experience will be similar to yours... once it get the build done there will be some lessons learned and modifications made.

Here is a picture showing the main frame welded up with one stabilizer foot pinned in place. This picture also shows how incredibly cluttered and disorganized my garage/workshop is.

How much trouble do I get in for resurrecting a 13-year-old thread? Do I get some level of forgiveness if I am working to complete a 13-year-old project? I've picked this backhoe project back up... this time with the intent to mount it on my antique Terratrac GT30 crawler tractor. So far I...

This is my 2-year update to this project. The little dozer has worked great and moves a lot of dirt. My cheap eBay valve leaks from somewhere that I haven't found yet. I just need to plan a day to take it completely apart and tighten everything up. That may or may not fix it. The tank...

Does anyone know off the top of your head what the gear reduction is in a typical rotary tiller that mounts via 3 point hitch? Or similarly does anyone know the typical rotational speed of tiller tines when driven at 540 rpm pto speed? I busted the gear box on my tiller last night. I'm...

I tried figuring it out through the Gates online stuff, but I ended up calling their engineering support number. I can't say enough good about their technician who answered the phone. It took all of about 90 seconds for him to tell me that my configuration was good for 4 horsepower, but that a...

Is it reasonable to expect a single 1/2" v belt going around a 4.25" pulley to transmit 7 horsepower? I modified my old Terratrac GT30 with a F140 continental engine to drive an aftermarket hydraulic pump with a v-belt. It runs great until I get a heavy load in the bucket. Then it squeaks...

I have an old tachometer in a box of random parts that I'm considering installing on my crawler. It's a Stewart Warner 824872. Is there any way to tell how many cylinders it's made for. I have four cylinders on my continental F140 L head engine. If this is a 6 or 8 cylinder tach, is it...

I've decided that it may be easier to consolidate my progress and questions by making one thread about rebuilding the hydraulic system on my TerraTrac GT30 crawler. Thank you to all for your input on my other two threads here in the Hydraulics forum. In keeping with the status quo on...

This doesn't seem like it should be this difficult of a quest, but I'm having trouble finding a switch that fits in a 1" round hole. I am doing all kinds of upgrades to my classic Terratrac crawler loader. One of the upgrades is adding headlights. The dash (pictured) has two empty holes...

I know that this has been discussed, but hopefully it's okay to revisit with some fresh perspective. I'm designing the new hydraulic system on my Terratrac GT30 crawler, and I've come up with reservoir sizing question. The original design of my Terratrac GT30 loader hydraulics included using...

I posted about my new Terratrac GT30 crawler over in the "Projects" forum. Now that the initial enthusiasm and congratulations have worn off it's time to start the work of making it into what I need. The machine came to me with an electric hydraulic pump mounted behind the seat... Think dump...

Ha ha!! That's pretty good. This is my boy with our cat...

After my Australian kelpie was hit by a car and lost a front leg, the vet convinced us that he would not be safe around our horses. The vet found a good home for him, and we started the search for a replacement. The list of dog breeds that are designed as companions to horses is one breed...

What are the pros and cons of a tractor vs. a bulldozer for ground leveling and road building? I have a piece of ground that I want to improve for camping etc. It's mostly hilly. I want to make a few leveled spots for parking campers and make a road to connect things. I have purchased a...

First of all I have to praise my tractor for yet another use. I've been parking it near the tree house and hanging the two hammocks from the ROPS. This is a temporary solution at best. I bought some 2" and 2.5" metal square tubing so that I can replace the tractor with a metal post that is...

The "Life Hacks" trend has officially worn out its welcome in my opinion. It seems for every hack that's slightly innovative or helpful there are a dozen or more that are overly complicated, don't actually work, or attempt to solve a problem that doesn't exist. The other day I saw a YouTube...

My family published this year's Christmas gift exchange list recently, and I was assigned to buy for my notoriously hard to buy for Brother-in-Law. For the record, I love this guy. He's one of the most amazing guys I know. He's just hard to buy for. Is there such a thing as too many...

I bought an auction lot a few weeks back. It was "everything under the loft area" in a large workshop on a farm. There was all kinds of stuff in that pile, and underneath everything were two tractors. One is a Farmall A that is in pieces. I think I have most of the pieces spread out in...

I picked up an old school engine driven welder today at a yard sale. I replaced the spark plug and cleaned the carb, and it runs great with one exception. When I strike an arc, the engine loses RPM and the rod sticks. I can get a bead with it, but it's really difficult. Is there some trick...

I got a new truck and now I need to outfit it to pull my trailers. Old Truck = '99 Chevy Silverado 1500 extended cab long bed, 5.3L engine New Truck = '07 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Extended cab Short bed, 6.6L Duramax with the Allison Transmission. The new truck came with a B&W turnover...

I did some trading on Craig's List and ended up with a BIG air compressor. Now I just have to get it working. The compressor head is a Ingersoll Rand 234. I've seen specs on the internet ranging from 10 CFM up to 19 CFM. My guess is that is depends on the size of motor that's on it. Right...

I'm making baby steps again. I got one door installed tonight.

Due in large part to comments and suggestions here, I have decided to try my hand at electrolytic rust removal. I have a pair of cast iron kettles that I bought the other day at a yard sale. I got them to match my antique wood fired cook stove that I am planning to put in my little shop after...

I did pretty good this morning, but then I got rained out after dinner. Here is a picture of this afternoon's progress. I didn't get much farther than what you see in the picture. I guess that we'll have to do some more framing on Monday before we sheet the roof.

I have an old Craftsman 14/6 that I picked up at a yard sale. It is in excellent condition with one exception... The magneto is bad. This is a problem because these magnetos are no longer made and hard to find. When you do find one it's usually about $200 used. So I have two options. I can...

My tractor ran fine this morning. I used the FEL as a platform to stand on while I put up the last of the plywood on the outside of my workshop build. Then I shut it down to eat breakfast. When I went back out to use it for moving rocks, the started wouldn't engage. Also, when I turn the key...

I spent another $140.

I was at a yard sale on Friday and managed to pick up what I think is a Sears 14/6. The model number on the firewall is 917.25160. The guy had got it from his brother who got it from a friend or something like that. The story is that it runs great and will pop a wheelie in second gear, but...

After years of clinging to my old Palm, I finally gave it to pressure from work and got a smart phone (Samsung Rugby Smart). Now I'm exploring the world of android apps. I downloaded the TBN android app, and I have to say I'm pleased with it. I like the interface. It suits a small screen...

Long story... I Recently put an 80 dollar bid on a H&R .38 revolver at a local auction, and got it for $60. I did a little research on it and found out that it is probably pre-1900 vintage. I took it to a gunsmith to see if it was safe to shoot. I finally called him today, and he tells me...

I've designed. I've priced materials. I've completed some other projects. Now it's time to test how skilled I really am. I have (had) and old root cellar that I don't need, and I need a workshop and more storage space that I don't have. The roof of the root cellar was rotted very badly...

So, I have a Lincoln AC/DC welder with 12 foot leads. As luck would have it, I found an old lincoln AC welder at a yard sale with 20 foot leads. The price was right, so I bought the AC welder figuring I could switch the long leads for my short ones and sell off the AC welder. Here's the...

I have a connection to the Idaho Potato Commission, and they showed this video of the giant potato at a conference I attended last week. This is the giant potato that will tour the country for the 75th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission. It was made by a guy here in Idaho. When I...

Are there any other dads out there working on a pinewood derby car for a Cub Scout? My Son's race is coming up. His friend is making a police car, so my son wanted a robber car. We agreed on a 1934 Ford Coupe. It seems like something an old gangster would drive. I have the car cut out...

It looks like this subject has been discussed here before, but it's been a few years. Hopefully there's some new information out there. I've been fascinated lately by some of the mini hay balers out there for sub-compact tractors. I've done some casual looking on the internet, and horsepower...

I feel dumb because after about 5 minutes of searching on a Suzuki King Quad 300 I can't find the battery. Can anyone point me to where the battery is?

Has anyone built a light box for tracing patterns, etc.? My wife and her mother would both like one. It looks simple enough. I'll build a wooden box with a fluorescent light inside and a plexiglass top. Here's my question... The scrap of plexiglass that I have is clear. Should I leave it...

I heated these rods and bent them into hooks (pictured). Did the process of heating and bending reduce their strength? Do I need to do something to them to put the strength back into them?

This is a total novice question, I know; but please humor me. When I got my first welder years ago, I got a basket of goodies and junk with it. In that basket were a couple of welding vice grips (pictured). I've seen these for sale before, but I've never seen them used. I'm convinced...

I'm planning another build. I invited my dad and brothers to come on the day after Christmas to have a project party and build a two wheeled horse cart. Between us there are a half dozen horses or so that we'd like to train to pull. Dad has a NICE carriage, but we don't want to hitch the...

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about getting a bucket of Morse drill bits from him. He had mentioned that he needed some money for Christmas, so I offered him what I figured was a good price for the drill bits. Then he asked me if I wanted a welder. As luck would have it I had...

I'm only half serious at this point, but I've thought about getting a mini truck. Does anyone have any experience with these mini trucks? What Appeals to me is that they get 50 MPG. I'd be using one for my commute <10 miles one way on county roads... 50 MPH. My Chevy 1/2 ton is getting a...

I spent half the day today at the most frustrating liquidation sale. A guy was trying to auction stuff himself rather than pay an auctioneer. Not only would an auctioneer have saved us all some frustration, but would have brought the seller a lot more money, too. Here's how it happened...

I got a sourdough start the other day and I'm making my first attempt at bread today. I'm a total sourdough novice, so we'll see how it turns out. I let the start grow overnight in a few cups of flour and a few cups of water. I pulled out my next start and added some oil, honey, salt, and...

Thanks to Rawinok2 and his praise of the benefit of a slow speed drill press in his mini dozer thread, I got motivated and bought a used drill press. My wife picked it up for me when she was at a conference 250+ miles away this weekend. She is the best wife!! I didn't see it until she got...

Here's the deal: I have a few work cats, but I have other cats hanging around. They're work cats because their job is to keep the rodent population down. One is a kitten my daughter got from a friend, and the other is a ferral cat that I have almost domesticated (I was able to touch her the...

My wife canned pears the other day. She is nearly completely converted to country ways. She had the canner on the Camp Chef propane burner out behind the garage. She was using my MAPP gas torch for lighting the burner. She borrowed my welding gloves for moving stuff around since they are...

It seems whenever I start a project it snowballs out of control. See my trailer brakes thread for a perfect example of a snowballed project... http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/177216-what-axle-do-i-have.html My recent snowballed project is patching a tire on my...

So, this thread started as me posting to ask for some help troubleshooting a problem with the spark on my new to me Case 444 tractor. I ended up finding the problem with the spark, but I figured I'd post anyway just to show off my new toy and warn everyone that there will likely be other...

I came accross this when I was looking for a new stinger for my reciever hitch and thought I'd share. The link below is to the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission regulation V-5 which give specifications for breaking strengths of hitch components, weights of the four light hitch...

I'm thinking of building an amphibious tractor... Okay, not really; but by saying so I've convinced myself that my question about a really odd boat propeller is not too far out of place. There are enough geniuses here that know a lot about a lot and maybe I can get some help on this one...

So, in order to handle all of the massive pictures that TBN members post, I'm upgrading from a DSL internet service to a high speed canopy system. I'm going from paying for 1.5 mbps and receiving about 0.8 to paying for 1.0 mbps and receiving up to 4.0. I have a few friends and neighbors that...

I screwed up a pair of my wife's scissors, and now I need a way to loosen the rivet that holds the two pieces together. I know it's not a tractor, but hopefully the concept is universal enough that you'll forgive me for posting a sewing question on the tractor web site. The were quite loose...

I nearly always check my gas mileage when I fill up with gas. I drive a '99 Chevy Half Ton 4X4 with an extended cab and long bed. I typically get just under 16 MPG empty and 9 to 11 MPG when pulling a trailer. This past weekend I delivered a horse to West Yellowstone Montana. I was late...

In the spirit of totally over-engineering my already over budget and WAY behind schedule trailer remodel, I'm considering adding grommet lights in some sections of 4X3 square tube welded to the sides of the trailer. The tube I have to work with is about 3/16" thick. Are there any good ways...

I don't know if it's a luxury of living in a rural area with a small school and supportive parents or what, but I'm impressed with my daughter's elementary school teacher. I'm grateful that she had who she had. It's summer break. School's out. This teacher will have a whole new class next...

I see a lot of discussion about how to attach trailer safety chains to a tow vehicle. How about some discussion about how to attach the chains to the trailer? I'm about to the point in my trailer re-model where I attach chains to the tongue. I'd love to have a little more knowledge of the...

I got this pump from another guy. I'm thinking about using it on a trailer, but I'd like to know the pressure and flow specs on it to help plan the trailer. I tried to look it up, but only got one hit in German and one in Chinese. I wondered if the specs are somehow decoded in the part...

I have a Toro riding lawn mower that the seat safety switch keeps corroding and I have to re-polish the metal to get good contact again. The mechanism is a spring steel band that makes contact with the seat pan when weight is applied. The band is fine (must be stainless), but the seat pan...

Actually the title of this thread should be #&%* stupid me. This thread is purely for the humorous enjoyment of the TBN crowd. Back in February a friend borrowed my 4-wheeler to plow some snow. A few days after he returned it I went to move it and it wouldn't start. I did enough trouble...

In the process of re-building a trailer I found a busted leaf spring. Right now the leaf spring is in the scrap bin, but I wondered if there is some genius use for it worth more than the 4 cents a pound or whatever I'd get at the scrap yard. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Here's a general question for debate. Is it true that a tow vehicle can haul more with a bumper pull trailer than it can with a gooseneck? Let's use my setup as a reference. I have a Silverado half ton with about a 1000 pound payload capacity after figuring passengers, etc. A typical...

I took an afternoon yesterday and got back to my creative roots... Woodworking. I picked up an old school Shopmaster band saw last fall, and I've needed to build a stand to mount it. I built the stand out of scrap 2X2's from the porch railing and some plywood type stuff that comes on the top...

For some reason, my trailer decided that today was fishtailing day. I've had it loaded before with a similar load (2 tons of hay), but this time it would start to sway back and forth if I went any faster than 50 mph. In the extra 15 minutes that it took me to get home I found myself wondering...

As I've mentioned a few times before, I really like Google Sketchup when I'm designing new projects or re-designing old projects. I'm a very visual person, and being able to look at a 3D model of a project has helped me avoid design issues before I start cutting and welding. I was looking...

I saw a sunrise on the way to work that was so nice I had to stop and snap a picture with my crappy cell phone camera. Even a crappy cell phone camera can't ruin this picture, but nothing will beat being there in person.

This is first hand. I saw this the other day at a truck stop off I-15 in Idaho and snapped a few pictures with my cell phone. I regret that I had a time schedule to keep because I would have liked to talk with this guy for a while. Where was he from? Where was he going? What the *^&% was he...

I want a snowblower. I have a Massey Ferguson 1215 tractor. This is a 18hp tractor with a 15hp PTO. What size snowblower could I run? I'm pretty sure it would handle a 4', but they are hard to find used. There are a few 5' blowers that have come up for sale, but I'm afraid they'd be too...

My laptop died. I have a few options to get me back to self sufficient for browsing TBN. As always, I'm interested in input from TBN Members. A little info... I used my laptop primarily for internet: TBN, Craigs List, and Netflix. I will occasionally use it for work. This involves e-mail...

I'm to the stage in my basement re-model where I'm planning insulation. I had a guy quote me a price on blown in insulation that is within pennys of the cost of buying the material for batt insulation. What's the collective wisdom from TBN? Is the blown in cellulose stuff as good as the...

I just read an article on MSN about Hacker spaces. Apparently these are clubs of tinkerers and builders that get together regularly to help each other on projects and share resources. I figured if I know anyone who would have experience with this kind of thing it would be through TBN. The...

Here's hoping this is one of those easy fixes that I should already know. The engine on my little Massey 1215 will start right up, but then it gradually loses power over about 30 seconds and dies. I'm guessing that it's a fuel filter. The dealer is closed until Monday. If I haven't figured...

I have the opportunity to get a used metal cutting band saw. It's a Duracraft that will likely need some repairs. The guy said it keeps throwing blades and there's some wobble in one of the bearings. I think the price is right, but my question is whether it will be worth the space and time...

I plowed snow last night. We had about an inch and a half of wet, heavy snow. I was just finishing with my neighboor's driveway when my rear angle blade hung up on the junction between the gravel driveway and the cement sidewalk. The attached picture shows the damage. Has anyone ever added...

Now that it's November, I'm looking forward to Christmas music. You can have all the department store Santas and the shameless marketing, but I love Christmas music. I think part of the fun is that it's seasonal and only popular for a short time each year. My personal rule is that I can...

Does anyone know where to get a 1" diameter stub shaft for a Kohler K341 engine? I have a running engine with an attachment on the flywheel that connects to a hydraulic pump. I'd like to use the engine in a go cart project, but the connection to the go cart drive is a 1" keyed shaft. The...

I went to look at a trailer today that I was considering for bringing my old Oliver 70 tractor home from where I bought it (about 20 miles away). My home brew tilt deck trailer is narrower than the wheels on the tractor. This trailer I was looking at is adequately heavy. It's home built...

I got my new PTO shaft installed on my not new posthole digger. It doesn't dig worth #&^*. I'm sure it's because the teeth are worn almost completely off. I looked online a few places (ebay, northern tool, etc.), and I don't see anywhere that will sell the teeth separately. Any ideas? I...

I've been looking on the internet for typical rear axle weight ratings for a mid size sedan, but this information is surprisingly hard to find. Someone here must know. The situation is that I have a rear axle out of an early 90's Pontiac Bonneville. I will eventually make some kind of light...

I just got back from the 2nd annual Heritage Days celebration in the little town where I live. Among other events we had a chili cookoff (which I entered) and then a dessert auction. The dessert auction was great! All the desserts are donated, and the proceeds help fund a community newsletter...

I saw this deal from another site, and figured some of you here might benefit. Amazon has machine screws and other fasteners for cheap. I bought 1400 fasteners for $20. Here's a link to the thread that discusses it... 100-packs of screws, Different kinds , starting from $0.28, FSSSE...

I got a very small tilt trailer for hauling around lawn and garden tractors as I buy and sell them. I've used it a few times, and I love it! In order to fix a crack in the framework, I lifted the trailer onto it's side and secured it to a beam in my garage/shop. The trailer needed all new...

After about 8 years of accumulating stuff and cluttering up my garage, I'm working on organizing and decluttering. I'm planning an expansion some time in the future, but I need space in the mean time. I'm still planning to build a backhoe, I'm in the middle of a remodel, and I always have a...

A friend of mine just dropped off a Cub Cadet LT1045. He asked me if I could help him fix a problem with the PTO. He says that the PTO will intermitently just shut off. If he flips the switch off and on, the PTO comes back on again. I'm going out right now to see if I can find any obvious...

I finally came up for an upgrade on my phone. I got the Samsung Rugby II. A friend at work has the original rugby. He tells a few first had accounts of the abuse the Rugby will take and live through it. Now that I have a new phone, I need a new holster. My old holster is just not a good...

My dad has always said that you're not a real cowboy until you get bucked off a horse. My 8-year-old has been in 4H this year, and she showed her horse at the fair Saturday. Now that the show is over I've told her we can ride and do whatever she wants rather than practice for show. We were...

Is it just me or is diamond plate particularly hard to cut with a torch? Understand that I am a novice on many things including running an oxy/fuel torch. I thought I had the hang of cutting until I made 3 or 4 cuts on some scrap diamond plate that I have laying around. I lose the cut...

Some guy today is selling "radio" tires on Craig's list. I couldn't help but post it here for the benefit of TBN. If you have a radio with 15" rims you're in luck.

When a jack is rated at 3500 pounds does that mean the jack will hold 3500 pounds or that the jack is meant to go on a trailer rated at 3500 pounds?

I've had my new (to me) Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 stick welder for a few months now. The leads are short, so I have to move the welder close to the work. The beast is HEAVY, and it's hard to move. It comes down to this... I need a cart for this welder. I'd love to see any design ideas that the...

Here's my trailer axle spindle (see picture). I'm ready to buy the stuff I need to add brakes, but I need to know what axle I have so I can order the parts. The bolt pattern is 5 on 4.75 (based on the fact that from lug center to the center of the next lug is 2.8") The seal is 1 7/8" The...

I just picked up a new (to me) post hole auger. I'm excited to get using it, but as you can see from the pictures, there are issues with the PTO shaft. Here are my questions... The gearbox shaft and the ID of the yoke both measure 1 1/8". Is this a commonly available PTO shaft size...

My 8-year-old daughter who has shown a lot of responsibility asked if I'd teach her to mow the grass. Seeing the potential for free labor and extra time in the future, I agreed and together we mowed the back yard. It took work to keep a straight face, but I succeeded. In the picture below...

I've posted enough pleas for help that I figured I'd post this solution in case it helps someone down the road. A neighboor called me this evening to tell me that her rototiller wouldn't start. Her husband is an old Vietnam Vet who has heart troubles and is losing sight in his one remaining...

My place must be way too small. After doing all the tilling I can think of on my place, I'm still itching for more. I've tilled my own garden a few times, and it's planted now. I was feeling sorry for myself that I had no more work for the tiller until a new neighboor from a few streets...

I was referring to my trailers the other day as my bumperpull vs. my gooseneck when I realized that it's not actually pulled by the bumper. I have a receiver hitch. In fact, few vehicles actually even have true bumpers anymore. So, is it accurate to still refer to a trailer that hooks to a...

I want to add brakes to a tandem axle trailer that currently has no brakes at all. I know that both axles is the best way to do it, but I also know that one axle is better than no brakes at all. I'll likely add brakes to both axles eventually, but for now I'm doing just one. The question is...

I've been toying with the idea for a while of doing some small scale day trading with one of these online trading sites like Scottrade or E-trades. After seeing the phenomenal behaviour of the market yesterday I am even more intrigued by it. I'm not talking about building my retirement fund...

Gwdixon suggested this thread in the "Toughest Material To Move With FEL" thread. He declared himself winner of the oddest ballast competition based on the picture below. I'm willing to agree with him because that's just cool using drill bits as ballast, but I want to see some other entries...

Can a young tomato plan be pruned? We planted tomato seeds this year. We planted a little early. The plants are more than ready to go in the garden, but I probably have another 3 weeks or so before we can plant outside. Can I prune the tomato plants to keep them manageable until I transplant?

I grew up on a horse, but I've been out of the horse business for a while. I've kept up with my riding a little because I have some brothers that run a dude ranch, and my Dad has kept horses the whole time. After a very bad experience coaching my daughter's soccer team last year, we decided...

It's auction season again, and I bought a bucket of torches and parts yesterday. This rosebud looking torch attachment was in the bucket. What is it? Why does it have that cup and additional trigger?

How likely is it that a self taught amateur like me could weld a container to hold fluid? I'm self taught, and I'm comfortable with the structural soundness of my welds. Now, I am considering building a backhoe frame with a portion of the structural elements doubling as a hydraulic fluid...

Today I justified having multiple tractors while cleaning up the compost pile that I've collected in the old horse corral. Admitedly, my "tractors" are glorified lawn mowers, but the principle is still sound. I was running my little Massey 1215 with the loader to fill up my hydraulic dump...

I got an old compressor off Craig's List. It is a single cylinder unit with a fairly large tank. I'm hoping someone here can help me figure out the CFM based on the tank size and how long it takes to fill up. The tank is 27 gallons roughly measured (~15" X ~36"). It takes 30 minutes to...

My cell phone died a while back, and the old one I'm using as a replacement is also on it's last legs. I need a new cell phone, and I'm hoping for some suggestions from the forum. I figure this is the group to poll because my cell phone needs are very much connected to my tractor activities...

Okay, this is not directly tractor related, but the concept translates to all fields of interest. Don't assume that because it was done by a professional it was done right. I just spent 3 hours chasing some gremlin in my clothes dryer that wasn't even there. In the end the problem ended up...

I need some real world advice on a framing nailer. Right now I'm remodeling a basement. When I'm done with that, I have permission from SWMBO to add a small workshop to my garage. I really know nothing about framing nailers, so any advice would be appreciated. Here are my options. I own...

I just picked this garden tractor up this morning. I traded an old AC stick welder and a floor jack for it. It's a Pennsylvania Panzer. I'd never heard of them before, but when I looked it up online there's quite a following.

I just had a big hole dug in my front yard. It was the first time I'd seen my wife more excited about a tractor than I was. We're adding a separate entrance so that we can add a hair salon in the unfinished part of the basement. While we're digging the hole anyway we're enlarging our porch...

So, I picked up a new Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Tombstone welder. It's only been used for 3 hours in its life. It's much bigger than my old Montgomery AC, and so I'm thinking about building a new welding cart for it. I also have a small lincoln 110v mig. Here's the question: Should I build one...

I've been wanting an Oxy/Acetylene outfit for a while, and I finally pieced one together. I ended up with a fairly heavy duty Harris outfit. I bought both a propane tip and an Acetylene tip. Tonight I tested out both fuels, and I was surprised to find that propane was a lot easier for me to...

Take a look at this and realize how much money you are burning... I'd call this a piece of firewood, but apparently this store is selling it for $200.

Can a bimetal hole saw be sharpened? I was finishing a set of shafts for my Dad's "One Horse Open Sleigh" today. I grabbed an old used hole saw to cut some plugs to cap the ends of the shafts (1 1/4" pipe), and it was VERY dull. In the end I got the two plugs cut and welded on the ends quite...

I'm finally building my backhoe. It's going to fit on my very little Massey 1215. I've done a lot of sketching and a lot of asking questions here on TBN. I decided that the only way it's ever going to happen is if I just get started. I don't have all of the details worked out, but I'll work...

I make it a habit to look at Craig's List whenever I can. I've found some really good deals there. There are also some good laughs. I noticed that today someone is selling an "Electric Chair". I thought that you could only find those in state prisons... Electric Chair

I work better when I have something to listen to. I like Cartalk on Saturday mornings, Prairie Home Companion on Saturday afternoons, jazz on Friday and Saturday nights, and country when I work out in the shop on weeknights (mostly because I can't get jazz on weeknights). My radio that I...

I have an opportunity to acquire a Forney C6 welder. I've been looking for a DC stick welder. My old AC is fine, but everyone tells me DC is so much easier. There's a guy that has what he calls a Forney C6. He says he's not sure if it's DC or AC. A friend of his said that it welds like a...

I went out to move some snow yesterday afternoon. It has been below zero for a week or so, and it finally warmed up to 25 degrees. The tractor fired right up, but I had nothing for hydraulics. I've started this little Massey 1215 in sub zero temperatures before. The hydraulics are sluggish...

This is a pretty tech savy group here, so I hope to get some good responses to help me choose a gift for my 8-year-old daughter. Last night she asked Santa for a cell phone or a laptop. Neither is something I really want her to have just yet, but it clued me in to what she's looking for...

I'm casually looking for a DC welder. A welding shop in the next town sells Century and Lincoln welders. He can sell me a 150 amp DC stick Century for $300. The guy on the phone said that the Century welders are somehow affiliated with Lincoln. I understood that Lincoln and Century are...

Having never really had many air tools and having just acquired enough air compressor to maybe run a few, I'm now wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages to air vs. electric tools. I have an impact wrench that I love, and I've used air sprayers and a rachet. I'm specifically...

I discovered farm auctions about 2 years ago, and I've become addicted. Now the auction season is coming to and end around here, and I'm having withdrawals. Maybe some bantering about it on TBN will tide me over 'till Spring. I've found that If I buy the buckets of stuff at farm auctions, I...

There's a root cellar on my place that I've never really used. The roof has finally degraded to the point where I either need to replace the roof, or cut down the cinder block walls and fill it in. For reference, the root cellar is attached to my small detached garage (22' X 20'), and the...

I started looking up specs on an Eaton 70412 pump that I had in a pile of parts and found that it's a variable displacement piston pump. If I understand correctly, this is the kind of pump that is used in a closed center system. So, I got to thinking... If I'm going to build a system anyway...

I traded some unwanted stuff for a '96 Yamaha Big Bear 350. I've included a picture below. The 4-wheeler is in rough shape. Among other things, it has a bent wheel, needs a new pull chord, the petcock leaks, and there's a squeak coming from the front axle somewhere. It runs great, though...

I gave up on searching for the elusive slow leak in my dump cart tire. The local farm store has slime on sale for 1/2 price, so I bought 2 of the 16 oz. bottles. Now I need to figure out how much to put in the tire. It's a rear tire from a lawn mower. Any suggestions?

I came accross this researching a question from Parish654. It is the most complicated but interesting attachment I've seen yet. Has anyone ever actually seen one of these in action? If it works it could be a handy little tool. Here's a link to the website I saw it on... Benye UK -...

I picked up a load of posts off Craigs List yesterday. It was a REALLY great deal until I realized that they are not treated. Now it's just a great deal. I bought them to plant them for fence repair. What are some good ways to treat posts to preserve them when they are sunk in the ground?

I have weird feet. It's hard to find good shoes that work for me. About ten years ago I found a pair of Georgia Boot brand 8" high lace up logging boots that I really like. I bought a pair and kept the box. I still have the original pair, but most of the steel toe is now showing. I...

So, I may have an opportunity to acquire a portable welder. I have some shop stuff I don't want, and a guy on Craigs List has a portable welder that won't start. It's a Lincoln AC/DC. I don't know the amperage. We still have to get together and dicker, but I'll probably end up with it. I...

So I was pricing Manure Spreaders today just for fun, and I was floored at the prices even of used spreaders. Has anyone out there ever built a manure spreader? What did you use? How much did it cost? Was it worth it?

I'm hearing a high pitched whine coming from my truck. It only happens when the truck is has driven for a half hour or more, and it seems louder the mroe I've driven. It sounds like it's coming from between the cab and the bed. Any ideas what would cause this?

I need some more ideas for checking tire leaks. I've always used a cup of soapy water and a paint brush. However, I have a garden cart/trailer for which this isn't working. I've been all around the tire and found no leaks, but every time I air it up it's flat again the next time I go to use...

I found out what happens when you use too much ether to set the bead on a tire. I was setting the bead on one of the front wheels for a Jacobsen 3810 golf course style reel mower. It's one of those wide balloon type tires that have a lot of volume inside. I shot some ether in and set it...

In response to the occasional and recurring threads about steel prices and sources of cheap metal, I decided to post my most recent metal buying experience. I replied on a whim to a Craig's List ad from a guy who said he had a bunch of scrap metal for sale to the highest bidder. Most of what...

I was once pronouced by a group of phychiatrists that I worked for in college to be the most sane person they knew. This thread may prove them wrong. Here's what I want to do: I want to take a rear lawn mower tires in the first picture and make each one into two narrower tires. And, I want...

I think I finally arrived as a tractor guy this weekend. I took my 3-year-old daughter to a birthday party on a tractor. The part that makes me think I may have arrived is not simply that I showed up at a birthday party on a tractor, but that the peculiarity of the situation didn't even cross...

I picked up a Stihl FS36 trimmer the other day for 20 bucks (I got four new bottles of 2-cycle oil in the deal too). It seems to be in pretty good shape except it wouldn't start. If I squirt anything into the carb (carb cleaner, sea foam, gas mix) it starts and runs like a top for about 3...

I'm going to make a stretch and relate this to tractors and country living through the "good ole days" route. Does anyone remember squeeze cheese? I'm not talking about the stuff in the pressurized can. I'm talking about the old time stuff that came in a bag that looked like a sausage and...

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I like to revisit it. What are the implications of using light truck tires for a trailer vs. using purpose made trailer tires? I had my old beater trailer out this weekend, and while I had it out I did some work on it. I tightened a bunch of the deck...

I bought a chop saw on impulse the other day at an auction. I got a heck of a deal on it except for the fact that the armature gears are completely stripped off. The replacement part will cost $108 plus shipping. In the spirit of "You win some, you lose some" this one definately counts as...

I've been planning to build me a 3 pt. sprayer using a roller pump. I don't have the roller pump yet, but I did just come upon two 12 volt sprayer pumps. I'd like to hear TBN opinions of the pros and cons of 12 volt pumps vs. PTO roller pumps.

There is such a wealth of information here on TBN, and I hope there's a similar place for help on outboard motors. My 100 HP Mercury won't start after running hard, and I'd like to glean some ideas from others who know much more about outboard motors that I do. What are some good forums for...

This seems straight forward and easy enough, but I want the collective expertise of TBN before I attempt it. I have tie rod cylinders in which the retract port comes out the side (parellel to the clevis pin). I'd like to have cylinders in which the port is on top (perpendicular to the clevis...

I got this cheap thinking it would be useful, but some internet searching turned up nothing. It's a "Go Flo Meter" as printed on the label. Model C-100 Type AD Decatur Foundry and Machine Decatur Ala US The knob on the right side of the first picture has graduated markings on it as if it...

Auctions are my new hobby. I picked up the carcass of an old 30 gallon spray rig with a boom a few weeks ago, and I want to re-build it into a 3 point PTO sprayer. It came with a belt drive pump that I'm going to try to convert to 540 PTO. I think I can get the adapters I need from Surplus...

I have an old McCulloch ProMac 605 that I am in the process of re-building. The sprocket and chain are both in need of replacement, but I was wondering about the bar. Do bars go bad? How would I know? The Chain wouldn't stay tight, but I think that's more due to the tensioning mechanisms...

My tow vehicle, '99 Chevy Silverado 1500 extended cab long bed, needs shocks; but I keep re-prioritizing the $1000 or so that it will cost to have it done. I can buy the shocks at napa starting at about $300. Is there some trick to changing the shocks? Do I need any special tools or...

I have a 10 ton floor jack that is just way to big for anything I do. I have offered it for trade on a local listing service, but I have no idea what it's worth. E-bay is no help since few jacks this big ever go up for sale on E-bay. It is very old and very used, but it still works pretty...

What makes trailer brake magnets go bad?? It seems any trailer or axle I've come accross that is even slightly older has no brakes anymore. About the only thing that fails on these are the magnets. What is it that makes them go bad. Is it overuse? Lack of use? After I get new magnets are...

My Case 300 (gas) starts every time like it's brand new. The problem, though, is that after it's been running for about 10 minutes it will die. I can start it back up, and it will run for 10 or 15 seconds, but then it dies again. It seems the longer I let it sit after this happens, the longer...

I have a guy wanting to trade me a Lincoln Weld Pak 100. What is one of these worth used with an empty gas cylinder? He seems to think it's worth $800. The other question is if this is worth even close to that $800 number, is it going to be that much better than a cheaper Lincoln or Hobart...

Does anyone have any good references for finding steel strength figures for design calculations? My immediate need is to build a set of loading ramps for a trailer, but I'd like to have a reference for the various stuff I plan.

I bought an equipment trailer at an auction yesterday, and I want to build some loading ramps for it. Does anyone have a good pattern for loading ramps that gives metal thickness, spacing of rungs, etc.?

I love auctions! I wasn't planning on buying a tractor yesterday, but I got a bunch of other stuff that I was planning on buying for pennies on the dollar. I had extra cash by the time they were auctioning the tractors, and this one went for cheap. After I bought it, I looked around for a...

Does anyone out their crimp their own hydraulic fittings? What's the threshold at which buying a small scale crimper pays off vs. having every hose custom built?

Here's one that's more acedemic than anything. I'm still brainstorming about hydraulic supply for my backhoe, and I was wondering why I couldn't rob the pressure and flow from the hydrostatic transmission to run the backhoe. The tractor won't be moving, so the power isn't needed to the...

Disclaimer: I've never been a big fan of Craftsman. They are fine tools, and everything, but it seems like you can get as good a tool for half the price at checker auto that still has a lifetime warranty. I helped my brother change the brakes on his truck yesterday. He's got some kind of...

Is there a way to temporarily bypass a priority flow divider valve? Here's the scenario. As discussed briefly over in the "Build it Yourself" forum, my tractor has a 4.8 GPM Hydraulic pump. 1.8 GPM goes to the power steering, and 3 GPM goes to the Loader, 3 pt., etc. I'm adding a Backhoe...

I've been daydreaming about building a backhoe attachment for years now, and I think I'm almost ready to start the build. I blame Moss Road for getting me started since his backhoe build thread was (is?) so detailed and helpful. I've also watched the whole series so far on YouTube of a guy...

I took my '99 Chevy Silverado 1500 in to my mechanic last week. They did about $900 worth of work including tie rods, CV seals, alignment, Tranny Flush, and tune-up (including new plugs and wires). I have typically gotten about 15 mpg in this truck, 16 on a good tank in the summer if I drive...

A few months back a truck at work backed into something and lost its rear bumper off the trailer. I ended up with the 4X4 tube that used to be the bumper. The only time I've ever used the rippers from my KK box blade is when I'm trying to loosen up ground but not scrape it. The bumper and...

Does anyone have some first hand opinions of Radnor Torches? I may have a chance to trade a guy for a Radnor torch, and just want to know what I'm getting myself into. Are they common? Are tips and parts readily available for them? How do they work?

If this were the first time or the first store, I'd just roll with it, but all four of these bolts came out of the 5" bolt bin at the local hardware store.

Does anyone have a foolproof trick for marking holes on a piece of sheet metal that are meant to line up with blind holes in something else? Here's an example... There are a few threaded holes already in the frame of my tractor. I want to mount something to those holes. Is there some trick...

I know a lot of us use Google Sketchup for modeling and designing projects. Is there someplace to get more textures and materials? It would be nice to have a wider selection of materials to give models and designs a more realistic appearance.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but are there any conventions that are pretty well followed as far as hydraulic quick disconnects go? I know that there are myriad types of QD, but are there conventions about male end vs. female end, etc. The particular application that makes me wonder is my...

This is related to my "What's this fitting" thread, but it's enough different I'm giving it its own thread... What are the advantages and disadvantages to hydraulic manifolds? How do they work? What are their limitations? My particular application is adding a loader to a SCUT. All of the...

This was the coolest thing. If I was a betting man I'd have lost a lot of money because I'd have bet 10:1 odds against this working. My brother came over today with his two dead batteries from an 18V cordless drill, and wanted to use my welder for a minute. He'd seen some YouTube video...

What is this fitting called? It's the pressure line on my Massey 1215. The OD on the male threaded portion is 0.80". The male "flange" fitting on the right side of the picture is 0.67". I need adapters to get from these fittings to the 3/8" NPT hoses for my loader that I am adding to this...

We've all provided so much support and advice on so many other goals here on TBN, I was thinking we could help each other out in what tends to be the most popular New Year's resolution: Losing weight. They say that peer support and accountability really improve a person's chances of...

Does anyone know for sure what the normal setting is for the safety switches on a Massey 1215? I haven't done anything to troubleshoot the problem yet, but I want to spend as little time out in the cold as possible. My 1215 acts like there is a safety relay that is permanently engaged. I.e...

Warning: This is a rant. There is no useful information in this post. I must be doing something wrong because I go through batteries faster than anyone I know. I'm sure I must just bump some switch or lever on occasion that puts a gradual draw on the battery until it's dead and stays that...

Who has had experience with Fiat Tractors? My usual route home is blocked due to construction, so on the "scenic" route I saw this tractor off the side of the road with a For Sale sign on it. If the price were right and it was a good tractor, I may be tempted. Sorry about the picture...

I just have to take a minute to say that I'm pretty pleased with how everyone behaves themselves on this site. My wife is on a few other chat sites, and I visit a few others now and then. Sure we have the occasional heated debate, but it's not nearly as emotional or personal as many of the...

I've got a cheapo poulan chainsaw that I bought a few years ago for $5 at a yard sale. It's worked great for what I've used it for. I mostly just use it to trim small branches and occasionally cut a bit of firewood for camping. The problem with it is that if I shut it of after it's warmed...

I just took my sheep to auction today. I had six sheep and got well over twice what we have into them. That even includes some costly mistakes at the beginning. The sheep ate the noxious weeds in the pasture. (I have some weeds on the county's bad list that I've had a heck of a time...

My wife volunteered me to haul the tractor to her sister's place in a few weeks to help do some landscaping and yard prep. It's about a 500 mile round trip. I have an old tandem axle tilt bed trailer that handles the tractor great, but I've only every taken it 50 or so miles from home before...

I've got my tractor PTO all working, and now I'm wondering what to do with the mid PTO. It's on a Massey 1215. I know that some of these tractors had mowers on them, but I'm wondering what other implements need a mid mount PTO. If I don't know what's out there, how can I want it? :)

My seat switch on my Massey 1215 seems like it is not sensitive enough. I have to sit forward on the seat to get it to engage, and even at that the engine cuts out when I bounce around going over bumps. I've had it off to look at it, and I don't see anyway to change the sensitivity of it...

Now that I have my PTO working, I'm finding that implements I have on the 3 pt. hitch won't lift high enough for my tastes. My draft control lever goes from 1 to 8. At 7 the 3 pt. is at it's max, but at 4 or 5 the implement is touching the ground. When I had the tractor apart I saw that the...

Here's another pie in the sky question for others who ascribe to the theory of "Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." I just picked up a sears 500 watt generator with a 1 hp engine. The diaphragm for the carbeuretor is blown, and I don't see it offered on the sears parts website...

At some point I'd like to make an engine driven air compressor. How are engine driven compressors pressure regulated? I'd probably drive the compressor with an electric PTO clutch. I figured that I could use a 12 volt pressure switch that would turn the clutch on when the pressure drops...

I got a used Harbor Freight compressor from a guy locally. It won't build pressure past 40 PSI. I'm suspecting that the guy let it run out of oil or ran it too hard and burned the rings. I'd like some input from the forum here, though. What's likely to cause this? Anyone had experience...

Here I go!! As soon as I post this thread I'm going to begin the process of fixing the PTO on my Massey 1215 that I bought this past March. I bought it from a rental place. The guy said that a renter had been using a tiller and kept busting shear bolts. So, he kept putting in progressively...

My Toro 266-H won't charge the battery. The battery will take and hold a charge from a plug in charger, but after mowing for a while, none of the electrical components will work (I.e. PTO clutch) and eventually the engine even dies. If do a quick charge on the battery, I can get the machine to...

I just got my most recent semi-weekly flyer from Harbor Freight Tools and I noticed that they now declared themselves "America's Leader of Top Quality Tools". I'll admit "America's Leader", but I seriously doubt "Top Quality". Regardless of their new motto, I was tempted again by the...

I'm pulling the loader off my Iseki TX 1500 tractor that I've all but given up on fixing, and I'm going to put it on my Massey Ferguson MF 1215. I also have to replace the PTO shaft on the Massey, and in the process I will drain all the hydraulic fluid and replace it with new. The Iseki uses...

I just got a 5th wheel trailer that included the hitch. I had the hitch professionally installed, but now I have a question about the plate. What kind of grease is good to use on the plate, and how often should I grease it?

Warning: This is a long winded post! I put in a tranny oil cooler last night. I thought I'd post a few things I learned here for anyone attempting it in the future. I had a friend help me. If he hadn't been there, I'd have looked all day for the oil lines. I never would have expected the...

I've got a bolt on a timing points cover for an engine that keeps working itself loose. I want this bolt to be removeable, so I don't want to put anything permanent on it. Is there something out there like loctite that will hold a bolt, but can be removed if necessary?