New 424 doing some work!

[DieselMachine]

Thanks! It's been a fun and rewarding process working on the yard. I've thought long and hard about the rim guard or other tire ballast but the possibility of driving on the grass (sometime in the near future) has me concerned that the additional weight will hurt me then. I do have a little John Deere 185 that can cut the grass but with the little 38" deck it takes quite a while. No finish Mower or anything for the 424 though so we will see how it all works out.

 

[DieselMachine]

As an update have around 100 hours on the machine and have been getting a ton of use out of it. Most recent was the install of a portion of the fence around the house. 1100' have to go in between my place and the neighbors. Got the longest stretch done in the photo below which is around 280'. Too bad the PHD doesn't have the ability to put down force on the bit, super hard clay that only water and time would allow for it to be drilled through. Either way, MUCH better than digging by hand!

 

[VeRV77]

As an update have around 100 hours on the machine and have been getting a ton of use out of it. Most recent was the install of a portion of the fence around the house. 1100' have to go in between my place and the neighbors. Got the longest stretch done in the photo below which is around 280'. Too bad the PHD doesn't have the ability to put down force on the bit, super hard clay that only water and time would allow for it to be drilled through. Either way, MUCH better than digging by hand!

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That's a great looking fence, nice job! I have this same tractor and I've been researching my PhD (haha) for an upcoming fence project. Did you get the Yanmar model for this tractor, or something else? I'm realizing there are a lot of options with respect to matching size, gear ratio, and auger diameter with your tractor. Just wondering what you're using.

 

[DieselMachine]

Thanks! Rather slow going due to the hardpan and the need to drill what you could, add water, drill some more...repeat. I used a speeco field master, compact phd. It worked well. Broke a few sheer pin bolts but it handled the abuse well. Will need a new set of cutters for the 9" auger. They got pretty warn down from the 35 ish posts, along with the other holes I've dug. The phd has also seen a lot of use to dig a line of holes to help form a trench in multiple areas throughout the yard. Much easier to dig pre-loosened dirt .

 

[DieselMachine]

Tractors been getting more use: regraded my buddies cabin drive with 3 fresh loads of recycled asphalt. The box scraper is great for this type of work.

Finally gave in and purchased a pair of bucket forks also. Loading/unloading fencing materials was the initial task, now it'll be used to move small pallet loads of landscaping block (can't lift a ton with how far out they stick past the bucket pin, but it's better than moving by hand).

 

[VeRV77]

Tractors been getting more use: regraded my buddies cabin drive with 3 fresh loads of recycled asphalt. The box scraper is great for this type of work.
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Finally gave in and purchased a pair of bucket forks also. Loading/unloading fencing materials was the initial task, now it'll be used to move small pallet loads of landscaping block (can't lift a ton with how far out they stick past the bucket pin, but it's better than moving by hand).
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That's some pretty country you have there in CO! Driveway looks great. It's nice when your tractor helps you lend a hand to friends. I looked through your posts and if you mentioned the size of your box blade, I couldn't find it. I've heard it said you should get one slightly wider than your tractor - for us 424 owners, that could mean 60", but maybe 65" (I've seen some 65"s for sale) or who knows even 72" but I think that's pushing it. Since you've obviously put yours through the paces, what are your thoughts?

 

[DieselMachine]

Sorry for the late response but to answer your question I'm running a 5' blade and would not want to go much wider than that, if any. In saying that the blade width probably also depends greatly on the soil type you will be working in. Wider may be ok for softer ground, 5' for very hard ground. In my extremely hard dry clay, It's not bad if you are using the front or rear blade to push/pull loose material, but if you have to use the teeth to cut, it can really be a chore to break through any native, undisturbed soil. Now, a wider blade would have been helpful in winter when the tractor was used to push snow with the rear blade, outfitted with a piece of 2" pvc mounted over the blade edge ( a slit was ripped into the pipe). In that scenario it would have pushed a 6' blade no problem. It's all about conditions and what you are trying to accomplish with the materials you are working with. Hope this helps.

 

[VeRV77]

Yes, that is great info, thanks! I'm leaning towards a 60 inch.

 

[DieselMachine]

More fencing complete. I’ll say that getting a new set of cutting edges is crucial in keeping the auger progressing downward. The warn down teeth just spin on top of the hard pan as they get warn to the point there is too much surface area on the bottom edge and the lack of a good square edge on the outside of the auger to bite from. The speeco edges are about $15/each which seems expensive for a little piece of flat stock with a beveled edge but are worth it from a productivity stand point.
Section with (4) 7-8’ gate panels:

 

[Tonyinohio]

Just curious have you tried sharpening them? I have the same issue but have a professional mower blade sharpener so i wonder if i can secure them somehow to stay out of the ER but dress an edge.