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I'm looking for non-fiction books that you have read and recommend. To give an example of books I have read & enjoyed: Six Frigates by Ian Toll [founding of the US Navy], The Liberation Trilogy by Rick Atkinson [US European involvement in WWII], A Man Called Intrepid by William Stevenson [WWII...

I was given a TrackR gizmo for Christmas. Just wondering if anyone else has experience with it. It's supposed to help find lost things: just attach a little tile about the size of a quarter to whatever it is you don't want to lose. Not sure I would have bought it myself, but haven't had a chance...

Found it outside our church this morning. Thanks Jack

I just bought a golf cart from a country club that is buying new carts. It is an EZ Go cart. I don't know the 1st thing about golf carts except press the pedal to go. This one seems to work OK, but I hear a squeak while underway. Does anyone know if golf carts have lube zerks? Thanks, Jack

After last weeks flash flooding, I began to try to identify some of the creeks in my vicinity. People raised in this neck of the woods refer to creeks that I don't know about. Google maps and the like may show a river/creek, but they are not good about posting the names. Even my GPS is guilty...

That was quite a deluge. My rain gage topped out at 6 in., but looking at nws pages, this area received between 10 & 14 in. yesterday. The local rivers are all above flood stage - - some have crested, but others are still rising. My property is not likely to flood & I don't have flood insurance...

I know this has been covered before, but I'm ready if I can find the right ones. I'm looking for bluetooth headphones, noise cancelling, that I can use with my android smartphone while on the tractor or lawnmower. I cannot hear my phone ring while working/playing on Kubota 1 or Kubota 2. It's...

I've been toying with this for a while. I really like to mow with the BX 60" MMM. It does a great job. However, if it is going to be my primary mowing machine, that means that I've got to 'dress & undress' the BX every time I switch between mowing & tractoring. The FEL & BH need to come off...

Yesterday while mowing with my BX22 MMM, I took a short break. When I restarted & took off again, all seemed normal until I tried to turn. The steering wheel turned just fine but the wheels did not respond. Well, they did, but just barely. I started back to the barn to park & try to trouble...

My 11 yr old BX22 is in the shop. I fully intended to run it till i no longer have need of it. I'm in my mid-70's & don't plan to check out any time soon, but you never know! Whatever. Here's what happened- - i got some vines wrapped around the rear axle & when i started pulling & cutting...

We are still at 82 degrees - - obviously the front has not reached us. We're 99 degrees warmer than my daughter who lives in Calgary [and loves it]. Better her than me. The front is past Baton Rouge at noon, but we still have a south wind. OK by me. Jack

Has anyone devised a way to raise the discharge chute on your MMM to help you squeeze into tighter places? I can't see using a chain or rope as there'd be too much chance of it being dropped & eaten by the blades. I've got a couple of spots that are accessible except for the discharge plate...

We bought my wife a fancy slipper bathtub a few months ago. The hand sprayer has started making a noise - - like, ra-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat, etc. Any ideas how to cure that? I have a similar hose on my walk-in shower that works fine. Thanks, Jack

I grew up in Central Texas & was outdoors a lot. Never ran across or heard about anyone seeing porcupines back then, a couple of generations ago. We have friends that live outside of Kerrville that have reported seeing & trapping them. anyone else? Jack

I've picked a few huckleberries the last couple of days - - about a week - 10 days before any previous year. That mild winter/early spring pays some dividends. Let's just hope it's not a message about the severity of summer. Blueberries won't be too far behind. jack

I'm curious if bluebonnets are showing up yet w/i driving distance of Houston. I'm over here for a few days & could take a drive up toward Brenham or thereabouts if they are out yet. thanks, Jack

I hit 1500 hours on my BX-22 this week. I won't say it's good as new, but I really depend on it. The dealer delivered it April 25, 2003. Sometimes I think about a new one, but why should I? Jack

I am in need of an electric pressure washer. I've got a great gas model [2750 psi] with a Honda engine, but I hurt my back several months ago [compression fracture] & cannot pull the cord to get it started. In fact, I'm in the process of divorcing all my 2 cycle engines. I'm just looking...

A friend of mine who is lucky enough to have cable [Charter] & gets internet access that way asked me a question. He does not have home network, just access on his desktop. He asked if his cable connection could go directly to a router for his home, rather than his desktop. He wants to toss...

I'm having a bathroom redo & the new light-fan-heater units are listed as 'brushless' motors. We noticed that the fan starts very slowly - - is that a characteristic of that type electric motor? I'd never heard of brushless motors but understand they are very efficient. Just wondering about...

I bought a used F-150 a couple of weeks ago - - it's in great shape & has most features I would have liked if I were buying new. However, there is no bedliner. I'm wiffle-waffling between getting a spray-on treatment and a tonneau cover. I've also seen roll-up tonneau covers. Any advice? Jack

My corn has been doing great - - we've had some the past few nights. I've given quite a bit to neighbors, but still can't keep up. Does anyone know how long you can let ears stay on the stalk after the silks turn dark brown? The variety is G-90 - - sweet & great vehicle for butter! And, has...

I know there was just a discussion about protecting apple trees from deer, but I wonder if anyone knows how to tell when apples are ripe, especially Anna Apples. My wife learned that we could raise some apples & she gave me no peace till we planted a few. We have a handful of Annas, a couple...

My small patch of corn really looks great. Nice & green & up to chest high by now. My only worry is that I don't see a tassle one. I know I shouldn't covet my neighbors' corn, but almost all the other corn I see around has already tassled & it's not anywhere near the size of mine. It was...

This is a really neat 1926 silent film (on video) of a tractor-snow-machine invented by Henry Ford, who is shown driving it. For the tractor lovers amongst us.

This is a really neat 1926 silent film (on video) of a tractor-snow-machine invented by Henry Ford, who is shown driving it. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,213971.0/topicseen.html

My wife has decided she wants a treadmill, so I guess we're about to buy one. I've just begun to look on-line for info & reviews. Anyone out there in TBN-land have any advice? Oh yeah, we are going to put it in a spare bedroom, so it won't be as easy to use it a rack for hanging clothes...

I've got tickets to Ricky Skaggs & the Skaggs Family tonight - - looking forward to it. It is a Christmas program, which is OK I guess. I like bluegrass considerably - - & I like Christmas music. I'm not too sure about bluegrass Christmas music. We'll see. Whatever, I'm looking forward to...

Well, lessee, it is roughly 5:45 AM. Five years ago at this time we still had electric power - - for another 15 minutes. Katrina's winds started here from the east, but switched to more northerly soon. I won't give a blow by blow [pun intended], but let me say that by 9 or so I knew it was...

Hope this is not premature, but I hear BP has stopped the leak! 1st good news in ~~ 3 months. Jack

I've tried to look this up but there is soooo much information on the net [a lot of it with its own agenda] that I'm having trouble determining the answer. I have heard that malathion breaks down pretty quickly. Well, you mix it with water in the sprayer - - does it begin to degrade as soon as...

Anyone using U-verse internet service? What do you think of it? My remote corner of St. Tammany Parish does not have cable or dsl available. So - - right now it's dial-up or satellite, with the latter being only marginally better than dial-up. There was an aritcle in our paper a couple of...

We are finally getting a local Tractor Supply Co. store here in Covington. No longer will Orange, Tx be the closest. Nothing agains Orange, but this will be a little closer! Jack

April 25, 2003 my BX-22 was delivered. It shows its age now, looking pretty scraped & beat up, but still performs like new. Seven years old & 1300+ hours, I've been happy with it. Only a couple of times did I wish I had bought bigger. Love the BH! I doubt I'll ever buy another tractor [I'm...

We would like to mail some cookies to a friend serving in the mideast. He's in the navy but we think is stationed on shore. The mailing address is Taskforce Trident - APO - - Does anyone have suggestions how to pack? Any idea how long for delivery? Thanks, Jack

Each winter I store my 60" mower deck on its side in order to save shop space - - it also allows me easier access to the blades. This year I noticed a pretty good size puddle of oil under the deck - - I assume that is from the gear box leaking. I thought I had the plug screwed in well, but...

I had trouble re-installing the BH on my BX22 today. it's a task I've done a gazillion times & I've got the procedure down pretty well. The problem - - I could not get the quick connects to connect. There was no way I could push the male fittings into the female fittings. I finally called...

I confess ignorance here. Can/should I use dextron III when the owners manual says use dextron? I'm talking about a '68 plymouth satellite [I got it running again] - - I don't think dextron III existed then, but I've got some on hand & the car needs fluid. Should I look for plain old dextron...

I look over topics on TBN every day [usually]. I'm always welcomed back by my user name, Tdog, so I know I'm logged in. Strange - - here's the email it got today: Dear TractorByNet.com Member, We noticed that you haven't logged in to TractorByNet.com in a while. Just wanted to let you know...

What are the consequences, dangers, problems that result from using outlets with neutral and hot reversed? All my outlets are wired that way. I've been redoing them, but haven't felt much urgency since the outlet works. It is a simple task to correct, except the house was built using 10 gage...

I see the NWS has us in the mid-teens by this weekend, with the possibility of wintry mix Thursday-ish. I've live here, north of Lake Pontchartrain. for 17 years & this is our coldest winter by far. I think the winter of 1989 was the last time we approached these temps. My woodstove is...

I have a few things still in my garden, but I'm wondering how much cold can they survive? Specifically, I've got lettuce [butter crunch & romaine], cabbage & brocoli. Guess I should have looked into this before now, since we are supposed to be ~~ 26 tonight. And tomorrow will be around 22...

Without going into a lot of details, some members of our church are trying to help a 'widder woman' who lives alone. Her house is pretty run down. Her washer/dryer is under a covered area, but outside, and down some nasty steps. We are looking into moving the machines onto the enclosed front...

Any suggestions? I'll be using it with my BX-22. Thanks, Jack

I've done this a gazillion times, but occasionally hit a bump in the road. Today, after reconnecting the hydraulic lines and moving the BH forward to click in place, the hydraulic lines got pinched when the BH deck moved forward. The result is I have no hydraulics - - I can稚 do anything. I...

To all my fellow gulf coast residents - - it's currently 6:30 AM. Four years ago by this time I had already lost power [that was restored exactly 4 weeks later] as Katrina worked her way inland. The clean up/repair jobs were never ending it seemed. Sure makes you appreciate the comforts of...

I have a friend who has no option for internet but dial-up or satellite. He has Hughes - - and is not at all satisfied. He's even gone so far as to document his lousy connection speeds on a website: My HughesNet Internet Service Interesting reading. Jack

Anyone subscribe to satellite radio? Does that mean I have to replace my car radio? How well does it work? How long a contract do you have to sign? Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks, Jack

Starting a couple of days ago, we began to pick up an odor in the house. At 1st I thought a dog had used the living room floor for a bathroom [again]. But nothing was there. Yesterday the odor was much worse - - has to be something dead. And yes, the smell gets worse when the AC kicks in - -...

We recently took the plunge & renovated the kitchen. We kept the old cypress cabinets, but replaced the tile countertops with granite. Itç—´ a little over an inch thick - - it is the piece they cut out for the cooktop, about 2 x 4 in size. It is sitting outside, leaning against the deck & I...

I went out to the blueberry bushes yesterday to see what I could get, but there were none to be had. A sad day. Starting in the last week of May, I've had fresh blueberries daily. We only have 7-8 bushes, about 8 years old. For several weeks I could gather a cup or two, most of which we...

I use Outlook 2003 as my email client. When I want to attach a picture to an email, it asks me if I want to resize the image or send it as is. That's a nice feature I've grown used to. I was at a friends today who had a later version [2007?] of Outlook. His version did not ask about resizing...

April 25, 2003 my BX-22 was delivered. Don't know what took me so long to make the leap. Jack

We often complain about how we are treated by various businesses, but I have a little story about a positive experience with a business. I just bought a 16 utility trailer from my neighbor who is 80+ & giving up tractoring. It痴 a good fit for my BX-22. The trailer is in good shape except the...

My neighbor's dad [about 80] if giving up tractoring. He wants to sell his Yanmar 1700 [2WD] with a bush hog & a box blade. I'm not sure of the hours. He said he thought it might be worth $3500. Does that sound about right? Thanks, Jack

I just bought a 16' tamdem trailer to haul my BX-22. I want to move it around my place with the tractor - - anyone mounted a ball to your FEL? I've attached a photo of the trailer. It's a Lone Wolf Trailer. No electric brakes, but I'm not planning on any major hauling. Thanks, Jack

I've been reading reports that the USGS is predicting that Mt. Redoubt [Alaska] is about to erupt as a volcano. It looks to be in the Lake Clark National Park. Doesn't appear to be much civiization nearby, but my knowlege of Alaskan geography is poor. It has blown before, so maybe Alaskans...

I'm trying to grow a few cool weather vegetables for the 1st time this winter & I gotta profess my ignorance - - how cold can spinach & broccoli take it? We are predicted to be in the mid-20痴 for a couple of nights later this week. I don稚 have much growing, but I壇 like to go ahead & bring it...

What this board needs is another generator thread. My 15kw generac propane fueled generator has had come to my rescue a couple of times in the last few months. I don't have an hour meter [I do have one ordered], but gestimating, between Gustav & last week's snow, the generator ran 54 hours...

We've never seen this before - - it's all over. Lost power too - - currently on generator & dial-up. Jack

Yesterday, my email [Outlook] downloaded duuplicate messages going back about 2 weeks. That meant it downloaded almost 90 emails that were already downloaded. That was bad enough, but its doing it again as I type. I had just cleaned up yesterday's mess. Any ideas what causes this & what I...

We were in Houston recently & in a traffic jam we crept along with a car that I thought might be a Bently or Rolls: however, the logo/emblam had MM on the trunk. That was the only ID mark that we could see. My camera, of course, was back at the motel. Any idea what it was? Jack

I'm not sure what it is called, but I used to be able to read the 1st couple of lines of a post when I rolled the curser over it. That stopped working recently. It's almost certainly something I did - - but what. Any thoughts? Thanks, Jack

I need to pur up an electric fence to keep rabbits, coons, & their cousins out of my veggie garden. 110v will not be the best for the area I need protection. Are there solar powered electric fence kits that you recommend. I have never done this before - - hope it is not too difficult to...

I'm in SE Louisiana on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, well inland. I'm over 150 ft. in elevation, so I'm not worried about flooding. In fact, I don't have flood insurance. And since Katrina, I had a 15 KW propane generator installed, so we should have electricity. My main concern is...

I am almost half way through my little jaunt to Calgary. I am currently in Kalispell Montana - - got here from my home in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana via Dallas Oklahoma- Kansas-Colorado-Wyoming-Montana, a little over 2500 miles so far. The change in temperature is welcome, the changes in...

I've been to Canada once in my life, back in another century & via air travel. My wife & I are striking out by car Monday for Calgary to visit my daughter & do a little sightseeing. I was thinking about a short look at Glacier National Park as my last US stop. I see there are a couple of...

When you move the cursor around in Google Earth, the lower left give you latitude & longitude as well as altitude. Somehow, I disabled the altitude function. Does anyone know how to get it back?? I've tried a bunch of stuff, w/o luck. Thanks, Jack

OK, I'm going to show my ignorance here. While mowing today with my BX-22, I began to hear a clackity-clackity noise coming from the vicinity of the mower deck. I stopped & looked underneath, expecting to find a branch or something wedged under the deck, but it was clear. I got up, started it...

Got a load of clay & topsoil delivered yesterday - - looks like I've got stuff to play with for a few days. Jack

OK - - I've contributed to the feeding of the local rabbits, rats, coons, whatever, long enough. I would have had a fairly good return from my corn, but at least 1/3 of it has fallen to varmits. I doesn't matter what the critters are, I need some protection. I've made the rounds at night with...

I have two 4 ton heat pumps that are getting on in years - - one is 10, the other is 12. These are all-in-one units, there is no condensor in the attic. They are working fine right now, but I know they can't last forever. I've been trying to learn if there are any brands that I should...

My wife & I have been talking about a short trip to Toledo Bend for a couple of nights. Does anyone have suggestions? - - we would be interested in a cabin on the lake. I don't have a boat, but we both like to fish - - do you know of resorts that rent boats? thanks, Jack

I've resisted buying one of these for a while. I built a barn 15 years ago using hammer & nails, screws, and lagbolts. I'm starting a small storage shed to hold garden tools. It will be 8' x 16'. I'm toying with the idea of buying framing nailer. Norther tool advertises one for $129, on...

I have the Bro Tek skid plate on my BX22. Yeah, I bought it AFTER I had the plastic fan replaced. The MMM drive shaft will fit on the PTO with the skid plate in place - - I did it a few times last year. However, for me it is much harder to get the lock collar on the pto with skid plate in...

I have ~~ 28 stumps that I want to get ground. They are all sizes, from 4" diameter to a couple of feet. Some are laid over from Katrina in 2005 with some of the rootball exposed. Has anyone hired a stumpgrinder recently? Just curious. I know I won't get the $7 a pop price that I had 15...

My laptop has been infected with a bug that I have been told is the spyware, virtumondo. It causes unwanted ads [webpages] to appear over windows that I have requested. This usually happens just as I enter a URL or click on a favorite. I slows me down quite a bit. Do any of you have any...

Well I reached the 1000 hour mark today on my BX-22. I looked down just in time to see it turn, so I shut her down & ran in to get my camera. Lots of bruises & scrapes on it now, looks very used, which it is. I bought it new April 25, 2003, so it's not quite 5 years old. Jack

Does anyone know what time the actual game begins Sunday? Not the pre-game chit chat, the real kickoff. Thanks, Jack

My wife gave me a Signcrafter kit a few weeks ago & I made house # sign for my BIL from a piece of cypress - - it came out OK, but here is my question. The lettering does not stand out from the background - - do any of you have any experience with using paint [or what?] to darken the...

I have [finally] found a slow hydraulic leak - - its from a FEL quick connect line. I have raplaced a hydraulic line on my BH before, so this should not be hard, but it is. I have attached a couple of photos showing the line I need to replace. Problem is, I cannot get wrenches on it to hold...

Last Friday my wife & I were driving to Daytona Beach to visit her mom. A couple of fatal accidents on I-75 created miles of traffic jams & a couple of lost hours. Managed to liberate ourselves from the interstate & took hwy. 20 out of Gainesville headed east. A lot slower than the interstate...

I had a scary experience Monday - - I had a blowout on a rear tire while driving on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, about 4 miles from the north shore. We were headed into New Orleans for a doctor痴 appointment, driving in the left lane just under 70 mph. Yeah, that痴 a little over the speed...

My wife went out to the deck to check her parsley & found the parsley had pretty well been raped by these critters. Looks like we have some Black Swallowtail butterflies in our future. She decided she would rather have the butterflies than the parsley. Jack

My live trap has not produced any results yet, but my 16-gage did. One benefit of my wife not being able to sleep is that she spotted this guy dining in our front yard - - so she got me up. Earlier, during the day, I dug up a small oak - - so I had a ready-made hole to dump him in. Are there...

The hood on my BX-22 keeps popping up. The least little bump or jolt will cause it to come loose. This can happen several times an hour - - finally today while I was knocking some clay off an oak rootball, I just left it up. That can't be good. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there an...

I am a relatively new GPS user - - I have a Garmin 660 that I have used successfully on a couple of trips. However, on my last outing, it began to act up. My wife & I were over on the gulf coast - - we intended to spend a few days poking around beaches in Alabama & Florida. For the most part...

I installed a Bro-tek skidplate on my BX-22 a few days ago. I was worried about how easily I could attach the MMM to the PTO with the skidplate in place. I've done it twice now, so it can be done - - but for me it is much harder with the skidplate. Both installing & removing it. I can see...

Anyone had any success trapping these pests? My lawn & gardens have been torn up over the last few nights. I've gone out at night with a flashlite & a shotgun a few times but have not been lucky enough to see the bugger in action. Yeah, I know, if I would put out enough insecticides to kill...

Here are a couple of interesting sites that I thought I'd share. My neighbor is a pretty good woodworker & is currently building a wood boat - - it is going to be a beauty: JK Wood Studio - Boats Also, I ran across this guy's journal about his moving to a great place in rural Idaho after he...

A few months ago I mentioned that I would be driving to Calgary later in the summer. Well summer is here & I wish I was on the road or in Canada already, given the heat that's here. However, here's my question - - I plan to spend a night or two in Calgary, Banff, and Jasper. Do you have any...

Here’s a brief summary of my recent cell phone experiences. My old phone was a Nokia, the model # I can’t quite remember. Whatever, my screen was never bright enough to see well enough during the day, especially while in the car. On top of that, the screen was plenty scratched & was difficult...

The talk on TBN about the vulnerability of the transmission cooling fan got me curious about what shape mine might be in. My BX-22 spent the 1st year & a half with the mower deck installed. Removing/reinstalling it was something I thought would be harder than it turned out to be. Whatever...

We saw a hummingbird yesterday & then again this morning - - the 1st ones in a couple of months. Really wierd the way they made their appearance in early spring & then vanished. These have really been tiny. Jack

When I was a kid, my grandmother used to have a glass of buttermilk with lunch almost every day. Of course, I had to try it. Yuk - - why would anyone want to drink anything that sour & bitter was beyond me. I successfully avoided it for the next ~~ 60 years. Recently my wife was using...

Seems like every year we plant way more tomatoes than we can handle - - we're having trouble givng them away - - everyone else's gardens are producing too. Before I retired, I kept the office supplied with veggies - - guess I need to cut back how much I plant. Naw. Jack

Seems like I saw this in another recent post, but can't find it. My 60” MMM is giving me a bit of a problem. It leaves a mostly uncut swath right in the middle. I know the blade is spinning - - at least, I can see the spindle spinning. When the tractor is not running, if I move the left or...

I was watching a snake this morning [a black runner, I think], sunning himself in a flower bed just to the edge of the front porch steps. I'd guess that about 2.5' of him was exposed, the end of the tail was still under the steps. I was leaning over the rail directly over him when my dogs...

My wife wanted a storage box to keep on the front porch. I built the box in the photo out of tongue & groove pine. I'm almost finished - - I need to gussy it up a little. I'll add handles on the top, & maybe some corner molding for the edges. It is heavy as the dickins - - glad I have a FEL...

My dog was about to have a snack from this egg when I finally saw what he was after & ran him off. It was laid among the roots of a large red oak tree that is right outside our back yard. It was pretty much visible from all sides, & there was no nest. It's larger than a chicken egg. Here are...

Our tomato plants are loaded, but so far the only ones to ripen have been some 'patio' tomatos my wife bought at the nursery with lots of fruit already set. The plants in my garden are all indeterminate species for sure - - they are getting taller than I can support. I've been using t-posts...

Yesterday I mowed about 2 acres without removing the FEL or BH from my BX22. I’ve run the MMM before like that, but just to hit a spot or two. Why did I do it? Well I just wanted to try it. I’ve seen posts that others never remove their BH & FEL, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Let me say...

My wife & I decided to take a road trip later this summer to Calgary to visit our daughter who lives there now. I have a few questions that some tbn’ers probably know about. What about auto insurance - - I’m guessing that my State Farm policy is good north of the border. What about...

Just curious if your vegetable garden is putting food on your table yet. My 30'x30' plot is coming along but a few days from anything to harvest. Looks like yellow squash will be 1st, then maybe a cucumber or two. Snap beans in a week or so, I hope. Yeah, I should have taken some pics. Jack

Today my BX22 is 4 years old! I don't think I would have talked myself into the purchase, at that time at least, except for Kubota's financing plans - - I opted for the 5 years @ 2.99%. I paid it off fully some time ago. The little orange beast now has ~~875 hours on her. She's been a real...

I need a little advice from anyone familiar with antique cars. I have a 1968 Plymouth Sport Satellite convertible. I am the original owner & I used it daily till August 1993 when we moved to the country. Since that time it has been garage kept, although prior to that is was not. The engine...

Sometimes when I open a website, in the place where there should be a photo I get an empty box with a small red 'x' in the upper left corner. Is there anything I can do to make that image visable? Thanks, Jack

We've had several days of chamber-of-commerce type weather recently. The nasty stuff that caused the tornado in Alabama went thru here yesterday without problem. Unfortunately, I see that we are due to freeze again this weekend. I guess I'm not thru with my fireplace afterall. I guess all...

I have to profess my ignorance on yet another tractor question. I bought a used 4' Yanmar tiller a couple of years ago to prepare the soil for a small veg garden. It works fine. However, I need to get the garden into rows. So far, I've been doing that part by hand & it seems to me the...

When I returned to my laptop after using it earlier this morning [I did not shut it down], I was surprised to find the Taskbar at the top of the screen instead of the bottom. Now this is not a major deal, except that it bugs me & I can't figure out how to get it back on the bottom. I tried...

Does anyone know if there is a way to find the date when a google earth satellite image was taken? They recently updated the image that includes my area of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Besides its higher resolution than before, I can tell it is new because my house has a new roof that shows...

I’ve enjoyed following Cliff Johns’ story of turning big boards to small, dovetailed ones. I began to dabble with woodworking since I retired. [Did someone mention this is an expensive pastime?] The first thing I wanted to tackle was kitchen drawers - - it seems the more I approach geezerdom...

I''ve used Excel for years, but haven't run across this problem before. The 'font color' and 'fill color' formating options ceased working on my laptop. Cells that had previously been displayed in color, are now just black font; and attempts to create new entries in color fail. Any ideas what...

I had trouble getting the grease zerk for the middle spindle of my 60" MMM to accept grease. I unscrewed it & got it to feed, so I thought problem was solved. Trouble was that it now takes grease, but I only see grease coming out from under the orange cap on top of the spindle pulley [see pic]...

It was almost spur of the moment - - I went to Home Depot with my wife today & noticed they had a 27-ton Yard Machine for $900. It has a Honda 5.5 engine, but was reconditioned. I guess that does qualify for spur of the moment. Anyone else have one of these? They did not have an owners...

There is an ad in the paper by the orange big box store for a Ryobi 18-volt 'starter kit'. The kit consists of a drill, 5.5" circular saw, flashlight, & a 'free sander'. I'm down to one cordless drill & was thinking about buying one anyway. This sounds like a good deal. Seems almost too good a...

The rubber boots on my front axle got pretty shredded. For whatever reeason, replacing them was a job I did not want to tackle, so I called my dealer to come get it. They picked it up August 25. I've been calling to check on it a couple of times a week, but they tell me the parts have not...

My BX-22 has just under 800 hours on it. I got it April '03. I'm getting ready to send it off to the dealer for some work. Mainly, the rubber boots on the front axle are shredded, & have been for some time. I thought I would get the dealer to do some other chores while they have it. I...

I got my new battery for my laptop today. It was one of the recalled batteries, announced last week. Not too bad - - I registered last Wednesday & it was delivered this morning. They provided prepaid postage to return the old battery too. OK by me. Jack

How long before you had battery problems? I got my BX-22 in April 2003. No hint of a problem till late today [after several starts today] when it clacked once & then nothing. Luckily it was in the shop at the time. It was late so I just shut the doors & came in - - I'll sort it out tomorrow...

We are going to have pavers put down to make a sidewalk leading up to our front door, so I wanted to remove some St. Augustine grass that we had been nurturing. It's a job I had been putting off, but it was a LOT easier than I expected, using the FEL. It got a little deep in a spot or two, but...

I was mowing yesterday when I began to smell rubber burning, looked down & see bluish smoke coming up from the mower deck. I checked to confirm that nothing had jammed a blade or pulley. Also found the blades & belt could be moved by hand. I was puzzled, so I took the deck off. That's always...

Does anyone have any experience with portable air conditioners? I've run across some at Home Depot in the 8k BTU range. I've since looked them up on the web & found a few more brands. I would like to use one in my shop. It is not insulated, and I know I cannot cool the entire shop, about 1200...

Our horse colicked Saturday. She ate normally around 6 AM, but by 8 she was down in her stall. I got her up & walked her & walked her. I got plenty of exercise trying to distract her from the pain. The vet showed up in about an hour & did several things - - he injected mineral oil into her...

I have a Craftsman weedeater that accepts attachments - - besides the string trimmer, I have a pruner & a tiller attachmet. I used the pruner quite a bit today & it works pretty well, except the spark plug kept fouling. I'd pull the plug out & clean it - then it would run fine for a while...

I've posted a few times over the past few months about our house & property after Katrina last August. I've finally got some progress to report. The biggee is that we moved back into our house last week, after 3 months in a 31' travel trailer. This is sooo much nicer, having a little room to...

Don\'t think my BX can handle this one This in near the last of the major tree & stump removal on our place from Katrina. We have about 8-9 similar stumps that I have given up on. I'm finally hiring it out - - a crew is supposed to be here Thursday to remove some stumps & grind others. He...

My wife 'had' to have a closet organizer that she saw in Lowe's. It is construced of particle board with a white finish. I want to notch out a section for the baseboard to make the unit sit flush against the wall of the closet. However, I'm afraid this stuff will flake off when it is sawed...

If you are like me, I read TBN for some time before I made the big jump & bought a tractor. Let me just say that you should not put your tractor purchase off - - we lived in the country for 10 years before I bought the tractor. In the 1st year, we hired a bulldozer to clear room for our...

Our daughter moved to Calgary last fall. We just tried to send her a gift by having the item shipped directly to her. However, so far, we are finding that vendors will not ship to Canada. Is there a trick here that we need to learn? I assume she could order something for herself & have it...

I finally got up the nerve to change my transmission/hydro fluid. I would never have tried it without the pictures that MBman posted back in August '04. Our weather has been nasty enough that I could not get out to work, so I attacked the oil change. I won't say it went without a hitch, but...

OK, I've been cooped up in a travel trailer with weather too cold to piddle around outside. And I've got a new laptop. So, I've been poking around & I've found some new-to-me pictures from Katrina. If any of you pilots have ever flown into New Orleans Lakefront Airport may be interested in...

I'm thinking of a Mr. Heater forced air propane heater for my shop. $119 for 30000-55000 BTU, model MN55FAV. Anyone have data on one of these?? Thanks, Jack

I bought a new spark plug for my Shihl 026 chainsaw. It takes several pulls to get the 1st bark out of the saw - -then I know it is ready to start on the next pull or so. I hope the new plug will get it going without so many pulls. However, I am unsure how to go about changing it - - do I...

I just bought a laptop computer. I had been wanting one ever since I retired & had to turn in the one I had. Once we moved into this trailer for a few months, I decided to go ahead & dive in. I got Dell Inspiron 9300. The screen is huge for a laptop - 17". I plan to use it as a 2nd computer...

Well, today is day 7 in a Wilderness travel trailer that is parked in my front yard while my house is being repaired. The contractor says it could take up to 3 months. Oh boy. It is just my wife & me plus her two 70 lb. dogs - - yeah, she's the alpha b!tch & is proud of it. I've surrendered...

Anyone have any experience renting an RV? Our contractor is finally ready to start repairing our house damaged during Katrina. The ceilings will need to be replacd in most rooms - - we don't see how we can stay in the house during demolition & repairs. We could look into a motel, but the...

I blew a hydraulic line yesterday using the back hoe. It was really irritating because I had put in a bit of time yesterday hauling debris out of my pasture & yard - - I had saved an oak stump from Katrina for the end of the day. I was looking forward to the BH work, but did not get beyond 5...

I'm going to show some real ignorance here - - - I know that there are log splitters that can be run off of tractor hydraulics. Is there such an animal that a BX 22 could run? I need a splitter, but don't want to maintain another seldom-used gasoline engine. Thanks, Jack

I have a collection of brands of small engine tools/toys. Some call for a 40:1 gas:oil mixture; others, 50:1. Is that difference big enough to keep two different gas mixtures on hand? Or will running 40:1 in a 50:1 recommended engine [or vice versa] make a difference? THanks, Jack

I stopped by my Kubota dealer today to pick up a few things & told the guy behind the counter that I was about to change my oil, but there were several things I'd like the dealership to do; however, I can't do without my tractor right now - - too much post-Katrina work to do at my place. He...

Any SE Texas tbn'ers know how Vidor did during Rita? My niece & her family evacuated to central La. for the storm & are trying to get back. The live pretty close to I-10. I told them to come by here [or I'll meet them half way] to pick up my Katrina generator & a nice collection of gas cans -...

We finally heard from our homeowners insurance that the adjuster will visit us Monday morning. He will arrive exactly one month to the hour [if he is on time] from the time that Katrina was having her way with my metal roof, trees, & evrything else. Wonder if any tbn'ers have any advice about...

We are still without power after the storm at the end of August. While it is a huge expense for our budget, given that the storm season is not over, & that we seem to be in a cycle of very active seasons, we are about to buy a whole house generator. I cannot do the work myself, so I'm at the...

I remember a thread a few days ago about gas cans. Someone did not like the new cans. I'm not sure I do either, but, ya' takes what you can get. I was looking for a few cans at the time myself, as there were none to be had within many miles of Katrina's landfall. My sister & some of my...

I went from almost no generator experience to living off one since Katrina. Still no sign of power on my road. My neighbor's brother from Florida gave us this idea for hooking up generators - - if you have an electric dryer. 1st throw the master switch off, and all the circuit breakers too...

Any tbn’ers out there that went through storms in Florida or the Gulf Coast in the last few years? I’m interested in your experiences with your insurance companies & FEMA. I have yet to hear from an adjuster, although I do have a claim filed. I’ve also filed with FEMA although I’m not sure...

Geez, I lose phone connection for a measly 8 days & there are pages & pages of new tbn posts to read. Am I ever behind. No flooding at my place but plenty of wind. Lost my roof & most of my largest trees. We already really miss the shade we used to have. However, we are so blessed to have...

Our blueberries have produced pretty well this year - - not sure how long ago we planted them, maybe 7-8 years ago. Whatever, we've been freezing some of them. We have been told that you should not wash blueberries before freezing them. Doesn't seem right to me. Anyone else heard this & know...

I'm not considering it [already have hardwood floors throughout], it's just I see a lot of it advertised. My neighbor told me that the surface is not real wood, just the image of wood grain. Just curious.

A couple of the bushes we planted this year produced yellow tomatoes - - something neither my wife nor I was familiar with. Stupid me, sorta thought they would eventually turn red. We were talking to her mom in Florida & she was bragging about her tomatoes, including some yellow ones. Well...

Well today is my last day of warranty on my BX-22. So, what's going to break first? Actually, I can't complain- - I'm just under 400 hours at 396 or so & have had few problems. Yeah the air cleanere strap, of course. Other than that, the dealer replaced a seat belt because the receptacle...

Back in February I posted about using a [very used] Yanmar tiller that I had purchased the week before. I was 'playing' in the pasture, trying to break up the uneven topsoil so that I could use the boxblade to make it smoother. The slipclutch began to smoke noticeably. I was afraid I'd done...

I've had to add air to one of my front tires a couple of times. I've seen several people recommend slime to stop leaks. Gotta plead ignorance here - - something I'm not familiar with. Is it something like fix-a-flat? How do you apply it, how does it work, what are the...

I am slowly setting up my shop to take some 1st steps in woodworking and I'd like to get a drill press - - any suggestions? What features should I look for or avoid. Are bench top models worth having? How large should I go? Obviously, a 17" is going to cost a lot more than a 12 ". And yes...

I'm not sure anything can be done about this but sometimes a member chooses a title for his post that is appropriate, but the discussion ends up going down a different path, sometimes not much related to the original topic. This would not be an issue except sometimes the new topic that crops up...

I took my MMM off for the 1st time [with difficulty] a couple of months ago - - I finally got around to tilting it up on edge & chaining it to a wall. It's awfully tempting to use an angle grinder to sharpen the blades while they are still on the mower. Has anyone done this? Or is it...

Anyone pulling a disc with a BX? If so, what make & what size? Thanx, Jack

The end of February makes 6 months since I retired. I was a little worried about being bored - - but I'm far from it. I've got so many things done, more in progess, & still more on the horizon. No regrets here. I do miss the people & the hub bub from my office, but having the freedom to...

I'm referring to Spider Solitaire. The stupid game is addicting. When I first started, I saw no way you could ever win the 'four suit' option, but now that's what I play, and, almost never win. But like I said, it's addicting!

I recently bought a used Yanmar 48" tiller for use with my BX22. I used in in my garden area & thought it did OK - - the clutch slipped whenever it hit an occasional root, as it should. So I thought I thought I'd use it in the pasture - - intact earth, never broken since it was thicket about...

I took off my MMM for the 1st time a couple of days ago. So the mower has been in place since it was delivered - - it has seen a lot of non-mowing tasks since April of '03 & just over 320 hours of operation. I don't recommend others follow in my footsteps here. First of all it was the dickens...

Most of the time I keep the BH on my BX22, so I don't use the 3ph often. So far, the only 3ph implements I have are a box scraper & a phd - - not used frequently. Does anyone have a method for storing the 3ph? Mine just lies in a heap in the corner, just tangled enough that I have to study it...

My new workshop/garage is almost finished. I will then need to build a workbench, shelving and the like. I will also have to install lighting. Does anyone have suggestions? I've built a workbench before from 3/4" plywood, cut to a 3 x 8' sheet, about 30 inches from the floor. What about...

Anyone else sick of all the Scott Peterson coverage? What happened to that pregnant woman was tragic, but is it national news? It had been getting the same exposure as Iraq & other world/national events. In my mind this was hyped by the tabloids & popular press to the point that all the...

Has anyone run across one of these before? I was wondering if it is a special emergency medical response unit. Donno. I took it in a neighboring town, about half an hour away.

I am having a pole barn/workshop/garage built & thought I’d post a few pictures of its progress. It will be 30’ x 40’ with a concrete slab & metal roof. The siding will be t-111. The site was partially cleared a few years ago & used for my in-laws to park their motor home. Before...

I've dug up a goodly number of trees since I've had my BX-22. I am surprised at the difference in root systems from tree - tree. My worst/hardest trees have been sweetgums. When the gum tree is small, it is easy prey. When they get a little size, I've found that they have a tap root that I...

Does anyone know of a link to service bulletins that Kubota has issued? Is there one on the air cleaner strap??

Or at least go after rats, instead of rat snakes.

We are well into week 2 or 3 of our annual fall love bug infestation. Those critters are everywhere, flying around all locked up - - its embarassing. What's worse is that they make a real mess of your vehicle's windshield. If you go out in the middle of the day, look out. Don't think I'd...

Doesn't mean you can lift it. I duked it out with this holly tree most of Monday. I got it down, but then I had a devil of a time getting the stump out of the hole. Finally had to cut off most of the trunk & drag the stump out. Even then the BX strained. If the FEL lift capacity is 460...

Now this is wierd. After 37 years, I've checked out of work to become a full-time house-husband. Can't decide what to do 1st - - there's so much I put off till I could get to it. No more excuses, I guess. Betcha I can stay busy - - & happy. Sure glad I bought the tractor back in April '03.

While I built my barn when we 1st moved to the country 11 years ago, I don't think I am capable of repeating the chore for a Kubota garage & workshop. I got an estimate from a local builder who is pretty well respected. His price was right at $17.50 per square foot. It included a 3.5" slab, &...

I have some sort of boring/gnawing? insect that is in my firewood - - I see sawdust collecting in a few places. Does anyone know of what I can spray with - - something that will not be a problem come fireplace time next winter? Thanks

A few weeks ago there was a carpenter bee discussion, I think on this forum. I just got a new digital camera recently, or I would have added this photo to the thread. The picture is the handle of a garden rake - - it was stored in the garage when this happened. The garage door gets shut every...

What\'s going on? Dang, Bird was right. This is one crazy summer. This is still August 6, right? At 5 PM today the temperature was 83 degrees. And we should be in the 60's overnight - - with low humidity to boot. I don't think I ever remember a cool front this 'strong' this time of year...

Has anyone come up with a simple way to raise the discharge chute when you need to get through tight places? I remember a thread some time ago where someone, with more savy than I have, devised a hydraulic lift for it. While that's not overkill, it is more than I will be able to pull off. Thanks

I put up the BX22 today with 200.1 hours on her. Guess I'll have to pull out my manual & see what maintenance is required. I was off this afternoon so I managed a couple of hours clearing youpons. It will be Saturday before I can give her any more attention.

Do any BX owners know what size metric wrenches are needed to adjust the 3ph - - the turnbuckles on the chains as well as on the lift arm? I've been using a pair of slip-locks on them & it is a real pain to adjust. I know, the real answer is to go hydraulic. Sometime later, maybe. The other...

Well, it finally happened to me. I mowed over a yellow jacket nest this morning. They were on me in no time. I was cutting around some roots at the base of a tree & did not have a lot of operating room. I knew immediately what happened, not that that means I was thinking clearly. I was...

I was filling our bird feeders this afternoon - - they are the 'squirrel proof' ones where the ledge is spring loaded so that anything heavier than a bird will cause the ledge to drop down & make the food inaccessable. So I take one down & look in it to be sure it is empty, & there, staring...

Well glory, I think I might celebrate. Today is the first day since June 21 that it did not rain. I've recorded at least 0.25" every day since then, till the 30th, today. The month's total will be just over 13", which is a fair amount, but we actually had more last June - - 19+". - -...

I've read several posts about how much better the FEL digs with a tooth-bar. That's got my attention. When I bought my tractor & I asked about one, my dealer sorta went, 'huh'? And I was so excited about putting in the order, I did not pursue it. I'm thinking about ordering one now - -...

Well today is one year since I took delivery of my BX22. It's pretty wet here today [thank goodness! - - we were due], so it stayed inside. Yesterday, however, was great - - I started around 148 hours & put it up with 154 on the clock. That was probably my longest 'seat day' since I've had...

I have a new PHD for my BX22 - - bought it from Vassar in Perkins OK - - nice people. They even cut the drive shaft for me. This is the first gizmo I've run from the rear PTO. I lubed the plastic sleeve that fits over the drive line & understand it is supposed to stay in place while the shaft...

After a couple of tough outings trying my box blade, I finally got it right - - - after reading pointers here about extending the top link. I had two loads of dirt delivered to raise a spot at the edge of my pasture. I used the FEL to distribute the dirt more-or-less evenly, & then used the...

I spent part of the weekend using my new post hole digger to plant some flowers for my wife. Understand that I'm only talking 20 or so holes. In order to do that you spend most of your time looking behind you, & therein lies the problem. Maybe if my head rotated like the little girl in Omen...

Anyone done business with the Vassar Farm Equipment people in Perkins, Ok.? I'm looking at some of their implements and I am looking for feedback. http://www.vassarfarmequip.com/

When I was checking the oil dipstick yesterday, I noticed a metal strap dangling over the top of the air cleaner canister. Anyone else had one of these break? Any idea how it could have happened?

I know there have been discussions of this before. The issue seems to be that standard post hole diggers are too long to fit on the BX22 [or 2200] without some modification. Does anyone know of a reasonable phd that will work on my BX22 without having to modify it? Thanks.

I got my BX22 back from the dealer yesterday. I had it in for the 50 hour inspection & some warranty work. It had been a while, so the grass really needed attention. I couldn't wait to get started, so I took off the BH & FEL & struck out. The ROPS was fully extended, something I haven't done...

I have exactly 48 hours on my BX22 & have it scheduled to go in for it's 50 hour ordeal next Tuesday - - I took off this afternoon to get in another couple of hours mowing [the pasure really needs it] & the bloomin' thing would not start. It acts like it does when you try to start it when you...

I was using my BX22 today & it got stuck in low range & I can't get it out. I tried pressing on the brake for several seconds, like the Manual says, but that didn't work. So, of course, when I shut it off, I cannot start it again while it is in gear. I only have 39 hours on the machine...

In a post that got erased when the gremlins ate Muhammad's server, I mentioned that I shot a skunk in our pasture at dusk the other night, probably July 2. I usually let varmits alone, but one of my dogs got sprayed a few days ago, & I figured this must be the culprit. I didn't quite know how...

Hello Muhammad and all, I posted a small item about a skunk problem on the rural living forum a couple of days ago, but now it is gone. Did I do/say something wrong? I read TBN regularly - - it has become part of my routine. Keep up the good work.

OK, I've done some reading in older threads about use of seat belts & rops. I am a new owner & can't keep the rops in place [upright] due to storage clearance as well as numerous low branches on trees. It is a pain to put up & remember to take down. That worried me, so I did some searches &...

Well, I'm up to 17+ hours on the BX22 - - got it April 25. So far I've mowed approximately 3 acres, some of it quite wooded. Can't say how pleased I am with the 60" MMM - - it is as manuverable as my Sears Kenmore, & cut my mowing time by more than half. And the finished pasture & yard looked...

I was a little surprised that my new BX22 did not have a tach. In the few hours I've spent playing with the FEL & box scaper, it's pretty clear that you need adequate rpm to do various tasks. And if it isn't wound up enough, it just plain says 'no'. Do any other BX models have tachs? Guess...

Well, last Friday I evolved from wannabe to BX22 owner. It's been a long wait. So far I've only managed about 6 hours, mostly mowing. After spending about 3 hours with me introducing me to the tractor & implements, he asked what I was going to do first. I had let the pasture grow for the...