Good morning!!!!

[Popgadget]

I need to replace the transmission oil in my Gravely garden tractor.
Over the years spec changed from straight 30 to 10W40 and now 10W30 motor oil.
am wondering if better to use a semi synthetic which might be less likely to leak at old seals.
Rotella 5 or 6?
old straight cut gears, don't get hot, probably some slop in them.

I would suggest 15/40, no need for synthetic, but use a high quality oil for the better additive package. The transmission in the Gravely doesn’t get hot enough to boil off moisture, especially if it’s not run all day, so an oil with a good additive package like the higher API ratings would be helpful. I think the current top rating is SN.
Keep in mind that a 10/30 and a 10/40 are the same viscosity cold, just that the 10/40 has a higher film strength. That’s why I suggested the 15/40 so it would be a little thicker.

 

[m7040]

good morning, 66 going to 85 nice weather but no rain

Watered the Forsythia's yesterday on the upper area. Left the hose on each of them for more than an hour. Will continue that for the lower area today

Wife wants me to replace the kitchen stove. Need to rearrange and move to make room for that. Also measure the door . May be the door needs to come off. I have the little 4 wheel casters that can go under the feet on the old stove. The old Wulf stove is big and heavy for sure. It will take some time getting this done

 

[wngsprd]

Yes, some years are not as good because of the freeze damage, looks like this year will be an exceptional year. I ordered my Eufy doorbell camera last night and will get the cameras if the doorbell works good. Why did you get two different model cameras, is one better, I have an electric plug nearby where they will mount, is one a plug-in?

Good morning! 72˚F heading to only the mid 90s with clouds. I did not get much sleep last night, I stepped on the ledge edge of the brick sidewalk and fell and bruised my ribs, hopefully I can get back to sleep. lots of garage organizing to do while it is cool.

Hope you didn't do any bad damage in your fall.

One cam is indoors...plug-in and wifi, the other is solar/battery powered, wifi, and outside. Both show on the app screen. The indoors cam takes a micro SD card for storage...I used an old 32gb card from my old Samsung phone. The outdoors has onboard storage of 8gb, unless you buy the base station.

 

[daugen]

I would suggest 15/40, no need for synthetic, but use a high quality oil for the better additive package. The transmission in the Gravely doesn’t get hot enough to boil off moisture, especially if it’s not run all day, so an oil with a good additive package like the higher API ratings would be helpful. I think the current top rating is SN.
Keep in mind that a 10/30 and a 10/40 are the same viscosity cold, just that the 10/40 has a higher film strength. That’s why I suggested the 15/40 so it would be a little thicker.

thanks
the spec constantly changes, I wonder if it will migrate to 15/40
I always thought that was "diesel" oil
not any more
yes, trans never gets hot
I thought I would hedge...and go with Rotella T5 semi synthetic 15/40.
Interesting that 15/40 is spec for my rv gen oil also.

I don't ever remember draining this oil. Maybe I did 20 years ago...
I'd say it's time. Unit has seen a lot of work and since it has a breather, that means
dirt can get inside.

I would think the old Slick 50 would be good on gears.
so much snake oil I've bought over the years...

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

thanks
and retreat to what ? 7?
you know they will offer a couple grand at most.
there's probably 13-15 percent in the truck
they have no floor plan costs on a special order

I think ten percent is traditional.
Around here, they still aren't thinking traditional
they get used to those fat deals and aren't going to be thrilled
with my skinny one.

thankfully I'm looking to buy a Chevrolet and there are lots of big dealers around.
Only one I won't buy from, of course the most convenient locally. But I'm not far from NJ state border,
over the bridge I go, and Flemington NJ is a nice drive.

of course I emailed the sales mgr there in NJ a week ago, like I did the other local Chevy dealer in Souderton,
and have had zero response. No rush since if the one dealer doesn't have the new software, no one does.
And without pricing software, not much to do at this point. Might be another month. I told sales guy also to look for
2-3 year old CPO Tahoe with supercruise, a rare item for sure. Which I would not buy since they will be asking almost new price
for it hoping to snag some impulse buyer. I'll wait it out and try to save more money.

at least special ordering you avoid the BS of window etching, all the nonsense packages they try to sell to pad the profit margin.
This is already way more expensive than I'm used to/am comfortable with paying level.
part of the high price is being stuck paying for equipment I don't want, like a sunroof.
they get you on the packages.
I only want 60k of equipment and functionality, but they will sure sell me that wrapped in a nice 75k package.

I'm sure by the time I sit down with the guy he will tell me I can only get a HUD, which I'm used to and want,
in the top zoot trim. Trying to avoid top trim because almost always comes with 22 inch wheels which I absolutely don't want.
I'd much prefer the sidewalls of 18's on our local potholes.

I've studied the 2024 build info online. Can't imagine the new one will be much different except sales guy said you can now get
supercruise on an LT, one trim lower than before.

conservative birdie on one shoulder saying delay delay delay, don't spend, expensive trip coming, and other birdie is cooing seductively
High Country baby, get it all now
I trust the first one more.

pretty sure I'm a limited sand person so need to not wait.
more concerned with mobility than disease, but we all know cancer can come back.
like driving through Tornado Alley, most of the time no problem at all.

Didn't intend to take it with me anyway.
I'd had my dream tractor.
time for a nice truck.
something nice to travel in when done with rv.

I love these vehicles too.
You would like the magnetic suspension ride quality. subtle but instantly firm when it needs to be. But pricey.

Not telling you what to order, but for me, I'd go gas engine. Yes the mileage of the diesel is lucrative, but the price of diesel offsets that usually. Also, repairs on diesel fuel pumps and injectors are ka ching in the thousands. The gas has more HP, the diesel has it's torque. I'm not a fan of DEF.

You don't have a history of keeping vehicles for a really long time, so longevity is not your worry. But trade in value might be.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yes, some years are not as good because of the freeze damage, looks like this year will be an exceptional year. I ordered my Eufy doorbell camera last night and will get the cameras if the doorbell works good. Why did you get two different model cameras, is one better, I have an electric plug nearby where they will mount, is one a plug-in?

Good morning! 72˚F heading to only the mid 90s with clouds. I did not get much sleep last night, I stepped on the ledge edge of the brick sidewalk and fell and bruised my ribs, hopefully I can get back to sleep. lots of garage organizing to do while it is cool.

Don, hope your ribs are OK. At our age when you fall, you take mental inventory of things before you get up. I'm guessing you will be sore for days.

Need to go get the SUV inspected and new annual window license sticker.

Another trip around the sun today. The cat is impatiently waiting to be fed. The ducks get fresh water daily, that's why such a small pool. They poop and dirty it up filthy in 1 day.

Wifey going to make me a Chocolate Raspberry Cake - Tastes Better From Scratch

My wifey loves this lady's scratch recipes, and so does our family. The scratch cakes are just that much better than a box cake.

This is the goal, but I told her to make a double batch and make it a double layer 13 x 9 cake. So we can share plenty.

Hope you all have a blessed day today.
Prayers for our team.

 

[kenmbz]

Morning all, 68 going to 85 and sunny.

BEF - low freon will usually (not always) show some ice on the line

LS - hope BIL pulls through,

Thomas - hope no further treatment required, prayers sent

Don - bruised ribs no fun, no laughing for a while....

Happy birthday Kyle

Did cleanup around the pool, Really filled with leaves since it's been so dry here some of the trees are shedding, while others look super happy.


Be well,

Seem to be multiplying , wonder when fox will show back up.
Seem to have a bunny in every direction I look now.

 

[Quaffer]

I have my condensation going into a 2 gallon pan I empty it twice a day, ... the potted plants are thriving.

Hello everyone-- my wife is interested in using condensate on some sick plants. Maybe it will perk them up?

 

[daugen]

I love these vehicles too.
You would like the magnetic suspension ride quality. subtle but instantly firm when it needs to be. But pricey.

Not telling you what to order, but for me, I'd go gas engine. Yes the mileage of the diesel is lucrative, but the price of diesel offsets that usually. Also, repairs on diesel fuel pumps and injectors are ka ching in the thousands. The gas has more HP, the diesel has it's torque. I'm not a fan of DEF.

You don't have a history of keeping vehicles for a really long time, so longevity is not your worry. But trade in value might be.

thanks
the upcharge for the smaller diesel is only a couple grand, not like the ten or eleven for the big diesels in HD trucks.
I'm more concerned with the diesel being a slug around town. And noisy. Though a close friend has one and I've stood near
it idling. No question it's a diesel, but quieter than expected, particularly inside.
6.2 is a marvelous motor. Makes nice noises.
This is a big vehicle you don't buy for top gas mileage.
If I can get in the 20's on the road, I'm happy.

but which will I be happier towing a 7000 pound travel trailer with?

I was super happy towing with the autoleveling air bag suspension Ram truck I had.
Everything sat level and towed 7700 pound Jayco like a dream.
I would expect the 6.2 to tow like the Hemi.

it's when not towing I want something very comfortable with little head toss
GM's top suspension is both electronic and air bag.
Winds up just being crazy expensive.

 

[daugen]

Ken, tons of rabbits here, time for rabbit stew

Quaffer, welcome. whatever you do, don't scratch the motorhome.
or catch the awning edge...

 

[Looking4new]

Good morning, the low is 56 and going to a high of 75°F. Wind SSW 3 mph. Sunny!

Bill All the leach fields I have seen in US are flat.
My leach field is about 5' above grade. The weeping bed is about 30' wide and 75' long. We are sitting on a lot of clay. That is why the elevated field. This mound is all sand, with a little bit of topsoil on top and the sides so I can grow grass on it.
The septic system we had when I was growing older (1953) was placed in the ground, but that was farm land east of Toronto. Nice sandy soil. It was a clay tile field. Dad grew raspberries and strawberries on top of the leach field. The only stuff that went into the septic tank came from the toilet. The kitchen sink, bathtub and clothes washing grey water went into a dry well buried 8' to the bottom of the hole and 3/4" clear stone filled the tank and around it as well. That tank was an old oak whiskey barrel.
Our 27' deep x 3' diameter hand dug well was a good 60' from the septic tank and about 5' from the house. The well went dry once in 17 years and the septic tank got pumped the same year, we bought a load of water and split that load with the neighbour whose well went dry every other year.

My plans for today are to do absolutely nothing. Yesterday I sprayed some 10% vinegar on a section of ground under the living room window about 18" from the wall outwards that I plan on filling with cement, about 8" deep with a slope away from the house. That should help eliminate the spring melt water from migrating into the sump hole.

My grandmother took great pride in her double dutch chocolate cakes with coffee base chocolate icing. ALWAYS a double layer cake. ALWAYS from scratch. Three day old chocolate cake was a tad dry so I used to put maple syrup on it. My Dad saw me do it and he tried it as well. Well, didn't granny (his mother) catch him and he tried to throw me under the bus. Didn't work. Did she give him a blast for it? Well let me tell you, I never heard her swear but she did that day. I got away with it. lol

That is enough typing for now.

Take care of your ribs Don and in future watch where you put your feet.

Have a safe day all

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Hello everyone-- my wife is interested in using condensate on some sick plants. Maybe it will perk them up?

Welcome!
I ran my condensate from my central air to a cypress tree and it grew like a rocket!

 

[gstrom99]

I got on a kick yesterday, thinking about getting a used golf cart for work/puttering around here (3 acres) and around the hunting farm (~30 acres). Figured a gas one would be better suited. Then I looked into modifying to make it useful - chassis lift, wheels/tires, carry/dump box, hitch. Slept on it, then this morning I realized how stupid that idea is/was. Why buy a weak golf cart, then cut/modify/spend to make it what a UTV already is... Now, looking at used Polaris Rangers, etc UTVs. New, is too much $.

 

[NHBX]

Back from errands and boy are the loonies out! Must be a Friday thing. If the wallet gets any lighter gonna need to tie a string on it to keep it from floating away lol.

Happy birthday Kyle

Don hope ribs heal up quickly

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 77F @ 5:45AM, back in Yankee Hill. Mainly sunny. High 108F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

My biggest issue with the companies here is that they will only do roof mounts. I will only accept a ground mount.

The system in Yankee Hill is on a ground mount that I built myself. It was made by IronRidge (except for the pipe) purchased from Northern Arizona Wind & Power. IronRidge has a sort of calculator that generates a plan set, complete with bill of materials. My only regret is that the idiots in the building department here insisted on "wet stamped" plans, which IronRidge would not supply. It cost $1700 for a local civil engineer's signature. Good job on the mower! I get too many head dents, too. And even worse, scabs on the cuts from harder hits.

Older Fords had the same problem. You had to hold the shift lever up into the park position and then they would start.

That happened to my F250. Found a YouTube that showed how to tighten a bolt or screw (I forget which) to fix it.

Can't get a video posted but I will look into it. Here is a pix from the video ...

Videos have to be hosted somewhere else, like YouTube, to be used here. Copy the URL from the host site, then use the double picture frame icon from the tool bar to link it in your post.

Discount tires just told me they retire 6 year old tires.

No pun intended, right?

Send me a pm if you want to know more.

Consider yourself PMed.

if you were ordering a new 75k truck today, how much would you want off list price?
They are back to discounting left overs by 5-8 grand in places.
I'm thinking I should stick hard at 3k under msrp.
definitely a changing market, lot of inventory out there now

I found the buying advise and tools at CarEdge.com very helpful last year with the Promaster and Camry, Drew. Even paid the $100 for a membership. Back then, no dealer would sell under MSRP, but I was able to negotiate under MSRP using info I found at CarEdge. In one case I used the CarEdge search tool to find another dealer giving $500 off in another town, and the local dealer matched it. In the other, I found that the van had been sitting on the lot for more than six months, and flooring costs motivated the dealer to knock a few thousand off. CarEdge can show you the cars on a dealer's lot, and how long they've been there. They can also tell you how many of those cars are for sale within a given distance from that dealership. I would be surprised if you can order a '24 now. Likely it'll be a '25, if the factories are even accepting special orders at this time of year. My membership has expired and I haven't been following the car market, but CarEdge videos on YouTube should get you up to speed pretty quick.

Smooth but HOT drive yesterday took a little longer because I didn't start with a full tank and had to make an extra stop. Also made a beer run in Sacramento and ran errands in town on the way in. House was nice and cool when I got in because I started the A/C using an app on the phone that morning. That stuff is nice when it works. The laptop that monitors the weather station stopped reporting a few days ago, and when I looked at it yesterday it had an error message on screen saying it was out of application memory. I'd left the web browser running and something on it was being a pig.

Got an email from a woman that wants to buy a pallet of firewood this morning, so I need to get outside and make sure the tractor has the pallet forks installed, then let her know it's OK to come by.

Think I'll have a try at descaling the water heater tank today. Not sure what else I'll get into; might be siesta weather this afternoon.

TGIF gang!

 

[daugen]

I got on a kick yesterday, thinking about getting a used golf cart for work/puttering around here (3 acres) and around the hunting farm (~30 acres). Figured a gas one would be better suited. Then I looked into modifying to make it useful - chassis lift, wheels/tires, carry/dump box, hitch. Slept on it, then this morning I realized how stupid that idea is/was. Why buy a weak golf cart, then cut/modify/spend to make it what a UTV already is... Now, looking at used Polaris Rangers, etc UTVs. New, is too much $.

I love my golf cart but it rides terribly off a level surface
my Kubota UTV had huge suspension travel and ride was a dream
I'd like to have a multileaf shock absorber based suspension upfitted to my golf cart.
it's a simple buckboard now.

actually just finished cleaning mine out, going to wash it, wipe it down in protectant,
and then find a new home for it outside under its new cover.

then I can get to work on JD mower
lovely day out

 

[scott_vt]

Good Late Morning,
Ct, 60 to start going to 82 or so ! Sunny with less humidity!

Urologist called yesterday afternoon and said my urine sample was contaminated, so had to go in again this morning and leave another!

Kathleen was away this morning, so I thought it would be a good day to shut down the water and change the anode rod ! Good thing I did, not much left after 25 months !
I did kill the breaker and checked to make sure no power to the unit before doing it ! Good thing I bought an impact gun because the breaker bar wasn’t going to cut it ! From now on I think 2 years is the max before changing the rod !

Hope to get a little yard work done before the heat returns!

Hope all have a Good Friday!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning! Low of 57°, heading towards 89°. The guessers are still forecasting the hype of torrential rains..... yeah, right. Maybe they'll get the forecasted lower 70° temps this weekend right.....

Drew, the truck dealers here are advertising 10 or 15% off MSRP on TV, depending on model. Last time I checked in with a dealer a few months ago, they wouldn't discount any vehicle that was 'ordered'.
Usually the "added" packages can be substantially discounted (the price of the package is usually 40-50% higher than the dealer cost) (egackage list price $3k, actual dealer cost $1500).
All the dealer add-ons like paint protection, special decals, etc..., well I just tell them I don't want that, not going to pay for it.... but-- be prepared to walk.
Also, pitting dealer against dealer to match pricing works very well. I have made calls to one dealer while negotiating at another dealer, making sure that both parties know who I'm talking to. Basically letting them know that I'm serious.
Things have definitely changed, so might not be so easy anymore.....

Kyle, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Going to do anything special? Yes, scratch cakes are THE BEST!

Don, sorry to read about the fall. Hopefully you won't be too sore! Wow! 30 lemons. No lemons on ours this year.

Another strange plant issue: we didn't get a single strawberry this year. We did transplant them last year into the big planter. They almost doubled in size by the end of the season and no signs of any stress. Just never flowered. Even put out a bunch of runners. Odd.

Drip irrigation is already going. Can't rely on getting rain. Not sure what else I can get into. I'm sure I can create some havoc somehow.....

Everyone have a great day!

 

[scott_vt]

Good Morning Again,
Don, hope the ribs heal quickly!

 

[LouNY]

thanks
and retreat to what ? 7?
you know they will offer a couple grand at most.
there's probably 13-15 percent in the truck
they have no floor plan costs on a special order

I think ten percent is traditional.
Around here, they still aren't thinking traditional
they get used to those fat deals and aren't going to be thrilled
with my skinny one.

thankfully I'm looking to buy a Chevrolet and there are lots of big dealers around.
Only one I won't buy from, of course the most convenient locally. But I'm not far from NJ state border,
over the bridge I go, and Flemington NJ is a nice drive.

of course I emailed the sales mgr there in NJ a week ago, like I did the other local Chevy dealer in Souderton,
and have had zero response. No rush since if the one dealer doesn't have the new software, no one does.
And without pricing software, not much to do at this point. Might be another month. I told sales guy also to look for
2-3 year old CPO Tahoe with supercruise, a rare item for sure. Which I would not buy since they will be asking almost new price
for it hoping to snag some impulse buyer. I'll wait it out and try to save more money.

at least special ordering you avoid the BS of window etching, all the nonsense packages they try to sell to pad the profit margin.
This is already way more expensive than I'm used to/am comfortable with paying level.
part of the high price is being stuck paying for equipment I don't want, like a sunroof.
they get you on the packages.
I only want 60k of equipment and functionality, but they will sure sell me that wrapped in a nice 75k package.

I'm sure by the time I sit down with the guy he will tell me I can only get a HUD, which I'm used to and want,
in the top zoot trim. Trying to avoid top trim because almost always comes with 22 inch wheels which I absolutely don't want.
I'd much prefer the sidewalls of 18's on our local potholes.

I've studied the 2024 build info online. Can't imagine the new one will be much different except sales guy said you can now get
supercruise on an LT, one trim lower than before.

conservative birdie on one shoulder saying delay delay delay, don't spend, expensive trip coming, and other birdie is cooing seductively
High Country baby, get it all now
I trust the first one more.

pretty sure I'm a limited sand person so need to not wait.
more concerned with mobility than disease, but we all know cancer can come back.
like driving through Tornado Alley, most of the time no problem at all.

Didn't intend to take it with me anyway.
I'd had my dream tractor.
time for a nice truck.
something nice to travel in when done with rv.

I browse pickups at times looking at the different options out there. I don't like black interiors, bucket seats, sun roofs or low profile tires, or super short truck beds.
GMC seems to offer to my mind a better selection of options then Chevy does.