Owning a small tractor is a blessing.

[tacticalturnip]

I like my Cub Cadet, I do, but these blades are thin pieces of work; I've bent 4 this season. They catch a rock, or even a tractor rut, and bend down. I can't find any aftermarket blades, the damn thing uses a proprietary system and there doesn't seem to be anything out for it yet. If I bend my next blade, perhaps I'll swap out the spindles.

My old XT3 was a tank, and the blades on the deck were about as robust. I admit to not being nice to the machine, I never have been, and this is a problem I have never had.

Anyhow, outside of that, I like it. I went through one blade last year, chalked it up to me abusing it, but 4 now, swapping a new blade every time a mow.

Oh, I did this as well.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Digging out rocks is a task that surely a backhoe is better suited for, lol. The loader works, and I am very thankful to have it, but Lord do I make a mess.

My poor wife had laugh so she doesn't cry looks on her face.

 

[tacticalturnip]

My 14 year old drove the Kioti, and my 9 year old the Cub Cadet, both for the first time. Overall I was pleased with the two of them. They took instruction well, respected the equipment, and ended up having a good time. That being said, my youngest has the potential for a lead foot.

Here is a friend I've made this summer.

 

[big bubba]

glad to see so much optimism owning smaller tractor in this thread that also includes safety precautions in use & maintenance.

on the other side of the coin, on this compact forum i frequently notice many owners complaining lack of size, power of their tractors & sometimes push their machines (& themselves) to unsafe limits, etc. glad to see this is not the case of the OP. well done.

 

[jacric2005]

Just having a tractor around is an absolute blessing for me; it's not a need, it's something I'm able to afford that makes life so much easier.

A few days ago I managed to obliterate a mowing blade in a way that was new for me, directing it straight into the ground. This made moving the lawnmower difficult.

I just brought the Kioti over to the Cub Cadet and lifted the mower in the air. I've never had an easier time removing the blades. I did the same a few days later when I put the new blades on. With the new blades on, forgetting about the previous days rain, I immediately sank the Cub in mud.

A small tractor suited this recue effort far more than the F350 would have; a small tractor is a blessing.

I mowed the upper area and then put my toys away, I'll try again this weekend.

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There is almost no end to what you can do with a tractor a few implements.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

glad to see so much optimism owning smaller tractor in this thread that also includes safety precautions in use & maintenance.

on the other side of the coin, on this compact forum i frequently notice many owners complaining lack of size, power of their tractors & sometimes push their machines (& themselves) to unsafe limits, etc. glad to see this is not the case of the OP. well done.

A lot of that has to do with not thinking out your future needs when purchasing your Ma-Chine. When I bought mine I thought long and hard over it. Was going with a 40Hp to start but upped it to a 45hp. And the DKSE model I chose the 40-45-50, all use the same motor/tractor but something to do with the injectors for HP. I have never felt under powered. It has been a solid investment for me.

Then again, its really not a big deal if you under/over estimate your needs as its seems they have a great resale value. Just sell yours and buy what makes you smile when you get into the seat.

 

[bdhsfz6]

There is almost no end to what you can do with a tractor a few implements.

Makes it a breeze to put up Christmas lights!

 

[sunandsand]

Two recent and unexpected uses for the tractor . . .

#1) Bought a fire cabinet (fire resistant, for gas cans, diesel fuel, etc.). Took three people to wrestle it into the SUV, drove home and noticed a complete (and somewhat suspicious) absence of people who would help me unload it - it is HEAVY.

Set a pallet on the ground behind the car, and from inside the car (if this thing is going to fall, it won't be on top of me) wiggled it out - and when I got to the center of gravity, it slid oh-so-gently onto the pallet and stood up very nicely.

OK, how do I get it into the hangar? Easy, pallet forks plus tractor, pick it up and place it inside in 30 seconds, no sweat at all.

#2) This one was fun. City had a cleanup day (old tires, paint, bring out your dead, etc.) and I got assigned to one of the drop-off sites. I'm not a city employee but I guess they decided I had volunteered to help.

Guy shows up in a pickup truck with a ShopSmith woodworking tool and a pile of accessories, he's throwing it out.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Not a (bleeping) thing - I'm just sick and (deleted deleted deleted) tired of these cheapskates on Craigslist trying to low ball me (more cussing - a lot more). I'd rather throw it out! I'm not going to deal with those (wow, he was hot) any more!!!"

"Well, um, I'll take it."

"Where do you live?"

And he drove over, unloaded the device and several bins of parts and attachments, and drove away in an ongoing cloud of profanity.

So there it is, 500 or 600 pounds of machinery on the grass in front of my hangar. (I don't know if those numbers are accurate, but in any event the thing weighs a lot more than I can lift.)

No problem, tractor, FEL, chain, and in it goes, 30 seconds later I'm done.

Now I guess I'll have to take up woodworking - as if I need another hobby.

Best Regards,
Mike/Florida

 

[masseyrider]

Makes it a breeze to put up Christmas lights!

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Why do I suspect you'll be a feature in a You tube video just before Christmas.

 

[sandman2234]

glad to see so much optimism owning smaller tractor in this thread that also includes safety precautions in use & maintenance.

on the other side of the coin, on this compact forum i frequently notice many owners complaining lack of size, power of their tractors & sometimes push their machines (& themselves) to unsafe limits, etc. glad to see this is not the case of the OP. well done.

I started with a Ford 1100 4x4 and have sold it 4 times and have bought it back 3. I bought a 1210 just to get a little more horsepower to use on the implements I had with the 1100. I sold the 1100 the first time when I replaced it with a JDeere 2555, then bought a Kubota M7040 and just recently another JD2555 with 4x4 and a loader. I also have a Massey 50 and a Hinomoto 4x4 that my Daddy gave me.
Considering I only have 2.3 acres here, I might have enough.
David from jax

 

[sunandsand]

Sandman, thank you, I feel better now.

For some years, I was the unofficial BMW motorcycle dealer in Miami. People brought me their bikes and I either fixed them or bought them and then fixed them. At one point I had 27 BMW motorcycles (1952 through 1969), which I thought was a bit excessive, even for me. I came to this conclusion when the only remaining available space to park an R25/3 (250cc single) was on a brick mantlepiece in my house. I figured OK, that's enough.

Down to three now . . . or maybe four . . .

Tractors and motorcycles are like money. Some is good, more is better, and too much is just enough (maybe).

Best Regards,
Mike/(also) Florida

 

[sandman2234]

Sandman, thank you, I feel better now.

For some years, I was the unofficial BMW motorcycle dealer in Miami. People brought me their bikes and I either fixed them or bought them and then fixed them. At one point I had 27 BMW motorcycles (1952 through 1969), which I thought was a bit excessive, even for me. I came to this conclusion when the only remaining available space to park an R25/3 (250cc single) was on a brick mantlepiece in my house. I figured OK, that's enough.

Down to three now . . . or maybe four . . .

Tractors and motorcycles are like money. Some is good, more is better, and too much is just enough (maybe).

Best Regards,
Mike/(also) Florida

I am rapidly getting there, but not sure if I am on the upswing or the downswing, lol! I sold about 30 Allis Chalmers B, C, CA and one D12 III a couple years ago. The buyer picked most of the stuff up, but not all of it. I pulled 2 Allis Chalmers across the street b4 he got here, and strangely enough a couple more have mysteriously found there way here, so that makes 4 of those.
I also forgot the Farmall Cub that I brought back from Arkansas!
Too many, and I am going after a FEL for the 1210 in the morning.
David from jax

 

[Razzmatazz]

I used the boom pole on my YM1700 to change the blades on my Hustler Raptor ZTR. I also used jackstands. Recently I upgraded to a Yanmar SA425. The drive belt on the Raptor broke. If you ever tried to push a ZTR, you know why I towed it with the SA425. Pulled to a shaded area, picked up the rear of the Raptor with the bolt on pallet forks, and set it on concrete blocks. Chocked the front wheels and set the jackstands. Got the belt changed, using only a few bad words.

 

[Yander]

My buddy bought a safe a few months ago and had no idea how he would get it up the four steps to his house. It was a several-hundred-pound safe. I went over and we put a dolly on it. I'm nearly 60, and he's almost 70. One quick attempt to get it up the first step, and I said, "NOPE!"

I went home and got my tractor with forks and lifted it up, and he still talks about how amazed he was. He was at a total loss. I just told him not to worry. It took about 20 minutes once I got there, and the safe was in his house. No one had a sore back.

 

[big bubba]

apparently your bud has not been around tractors or machinery much in his 70 yrs

 

[JasperFrank]

You are absolutely right, using jack stands would have been the smart thing to do, and I have them.

It only takes one mistake; I was not thinking, and that's said by so many others in a bad way after the fact- assuming they are still around. I don't mind taking this scolding because I knew better, and still let convenience lead my way.

That is the fun thing ABOUT having a small tractor with FEL. I do the same thing with my Cadet with the Ford Tractor. I just lift the whole Cadet up. But I do use stands. I've lately just started picking up the front and back of my car to work on, also with stands to set it on. But the FEL sure beats moving the jack around.

 

[Runner]

You can move furniture with them too!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Small tractor was my first. The YM2000 and then I double the size with the
Ford 2000. The Yanmar is my FM pretty much and the Wooded area is what the 63 Ford FEL. is used for. Old as I am and seen it on CL. All intact with correct Era FEL.. I had to do a split and other things but I glad I did it and put it all back in working order.
[[[No matter what I never rely on just a Hyd. jack.]]] I always use Jack stands. Esp. when I Am servicing the mowers. I don't rely on just the Hyd. Lift. I've had no choice before but I make it quick if I'm under something. I'll use all 4 with 1 on each wheel and the 3Pt. still holding it up. The couple minutes to set them is worth it knowing your pretty safe. Still don't mean you can't have problem though.

[[[Some degree of reliance would constitute a form of realism.]]] I wont put my body under, but I will reach in to get something. Just recognize risk dont get complacent.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Today the loader provided a nice place to hold some caterpillars while I torched them.

 

[tacticalturnip]

You can move furniture with them too!
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I've done my share of that over the years, lol, forks are great.