New Member Intro

[OZisKTB]

I've been lurking for years, finally took the plunge.

I have 5 acres surrounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway, and GW National Forest. Property is large hardwoods, big rocks and clay. No natural level surfaces. I commute here every weekend (3hrs) from VA Beach. I have to plow my way in and out during the winter, maintain a gravel road, and remove large trees when they fall. I have a deer plot or two to keep up, and move rocks around the landscape. Priorities snow plow, crown road, loader, pick-up rocks, move logs and mow only if I have to.

Saw a Kubota 3030 CAB for sale way out of town. Stopped by my local Kubota dealer to see if they had something comparable. They passed, but gave me a pat on the back and good advice. Stopped by JD (James River Equipment) dealer on the way to rent a trailer to drive 150 miles to check out the Kubota. They had a JD 3720 w/ 1200 hours that was perfect for my needs. Sold me the minimum attachments (blade, box, 4:1 and bushhog). Took a week to make minor repairs, they delivered it.

Busted it the first day (did I say I have 6 total hours on tractors). Box worked great cutting the ditch, but while back-blading it kept finding rocks and roots on the outside corner. Ordered a new draft link, should be OK for the next go around.

Thanks for all the great advice on the Forum. Feel confident that I've made a good buy decision and have a support group for all the future mistakes and impasses I'll encounter.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[jeff9366]

Busted it the first day (did I say I have 6 total hours on tractors). Box worked great cutting the ditch, but while back-blading it kept finding rocks and roots on the outside corner. Ordered a new draft link, should be OK for the next go around.

If you post regularly, work on using standard tractor terminology. "Draft link" does not relate anything specific on T-B-N.

Tractors are fundamentally PULLING machines. When you PUSH with a tractor you need to exercise caution as it is easy to break parts; tractors are just not designed to push.

There are many, many, threads in the T-B-N archive relating how Lower Link stabilizers, especially turnbuckle stabilizers, but rigid stabilizers as well, have failed when tractors are operated in reverse, PUSHING.

Generally speaking, smooth with your FEL bucket with tractor operating in reverse rather than pushing with a Box Blade. The FEL is designed for moderate smoothing duty.

 

[OZisKTB]

Thanks for the advice, after I bent my draft link if realized that my 4:1 has a bulldozer blade and as you suggest I should use the FEL for that purpose. Since the hydraulic lines for the 4:1 hang, I was thinking to turn around and push going forward to smooth. Make reasonable sense?

As a new guy, trying to figure out standard tractor terminology, but I'm confused at your comment on draft link. Here is a quote from Green Farm Parts regarding the part of the tractor that is no longer straight.

"John Deere Draft Link LVA18232 Get this genuine John Deere Draft Link LVA18232 online from Green Farm Parts, your source for new John Deere parts 24 hours a day. This draft link replaces part number LVA14238."

My 3720 Parts Manual still on order, but pretty sure draft link is what the JD Parts Catalog (online) explode of the 3-pt called this part.

Please continue my education and help me translate parts info into "standard tractor terminology."

Thanks again for the welcome and sage advice. Go Gators.

 

[OZisKTB]

Thanks for the welcome

 

[OZisKTB]

Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks for the advice, after I bent my draft link if realized that my 4:1 has a bulldozer blade and as you suggest I should use the FEL for that purpose. Since the hydraulic lines for the 4:1 hang, I was thinking to turn around and push going forward to smooth. Make reasonable sense?

As a new guy, trying to figure out standard tractor terminology, but I'm confused at your comment on draft link. Here is a quote from Green Farm Parts regarding the part of the tractor that is no longer straight.

"John Deere Draft Link LVA18232 Get this genuine John Deere Draft Link LVA18232 online from Green Farm Parts, your source for new John Deere parts 24 hours a day. This draft link replaces part number LVA14238."

My 3720 Parts Manual still on order, but pretty sure draft link is what the JD Parts Catalog (online) explode of the 3-pt called this part.

I have never owned nor operated a 4-in-1 bucket, so I cannot advise you.

I tried to look up LVA8232 via Deere with no luck. I am always learning.

Good luck to you.

 

[OZisKTB]

Thanks again, aren't we all. Nubies like me much more than most.:thumbsup: