Sticks will be sticks...

Henro · Dec 6, 2004

Your lucky the stick was short. 

Jim, I don't think it was short until it said "snap"... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It still amazes me how one of about three sticks laying flat on the ground could end up where that one did.

Maybe there was only two even.

My lucky day I guess... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RoyJackson · Dec 7, 2004

It's amazing where debris can end up, isn't it?

I was brushcutting along a woods line during the summer. While I was moving forward, toward a tree, I shifted into reverse. Moved backwards like a bat outta ****!! Apparently, when I clutched to shift, a stick or branch under the tractor managed to move the range selector from low to high. So, I'm expecting to reverse at less then a mile per hour...and there I go at top speed in reverse-high!

A momentary thrill.

jinman · Dec 7, 2004

About a year ago, I wasn't so lucky with a stick and poked a hole in my hydrostatic transmission filter. My mistake always seems to be thinking I've uprooted all brush as I push forward with the bucket. Normally one small tree will shear off about 2' above the ground and is waiting for me to back up so it can try to impale some of my tractor's "soft" underbelly.

Every time I see pictures like yours, I get revved up again to build my skid plate. Gotta do it... gotta do it... gotta do it...... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

PineRidge · Dec 7, 2004

Henro I'm thinking Jim has a good idea about the skid plate. With your welding abilities I'll bet you could come up with a slick idea for undercarriage protection yet something that might easily be removed for service on your Kubota. Might this be the making of a new project for you?

markie61 · Dec 7, 2004

( This is a good case for not wearing sandels or flip-flops while tractoring... )

...but, perhaps, FOR wearing an "athletic protector"/cup/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mark

kensfarm · Dec 7, 2004

Mine poked a whole in my rear tire between the treads.. it was so big that it had to be patched & tubed. I was looking at fillers to mend the whole on the outside of the tire.

Golfgar4 · Dec 7, 2004

( Seems to me you need to take up golf. I imagine you'd get a Hole In One on your first tee off.

Guess I better consult with Golfgar4...

Whadayasay, Gary? )

Well, considering that getting a hole in one is about 80% skill and 20% luck (IMO), and getting that stick to flip up and jam itself into that small opening on your tractor took no skill whatsoever on your part, I'd say that you probably would be one of those guys who would use the wrong club, has the most miserable swing, mishits the ball, but STILL gets the hole in one!

I'd say go for it! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

GareyD · Dec 7, 2004

I took delivery of my L3430 and immediately went to pushin' a brush pile to check out the FEL and tractor...playin' along and havin' a great time....started smellin' hot radiator and seein' steam from under the hook...

A twig not as big as a #2 pencil had somehow gotten past the fan shroud, and the fan, and had poked a hole thru the radiator...

Didn't have more than 15 minutes on the tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Took a new $500 radiator...and didn't get to use the tractor for a week waitin' on delivery..... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

GareyD

Hebbster · Dec 7, 2004

I too was not so lucky. I've been cutting stud wood and logs and skidding them out. I usually cut around the big spruce and fall them last since they make the most brush. I don't like driving over the heavy brush. Anyway, the other day, I had fallen and limbed a couple big spruce that would give me enough for a load.

Since I was almost done, I started to rush. I drove over some heavy brush to get turned around. I got hooked onto the log and when I started up a small hill, the tractor was making a strange noise. From the seat, it sounded like the hydraulic pump. Almost like it was cavitating.

I got off the tractor and walked to front and saw coolant puring out of the bottom of the radiator /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I shut the thing off but couldn't really get a good look. I started back up and drove to my yard where I could get a good look.

Still couldn't see where it was leaking, so I pulled the radiator out and a stick must have pushed on the bottom of the radiator and cracked the bottom tank (its plastic) where the mounting post fits in the frame /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

I called the dealer. $530 bucks /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. So, I spent 3 days running around between radiator shops and plastic repair shops and no one could guaratee a fix. I did find a plastic welder who welded it and also did an epoxy patch but he wasn't sure it would hold. I got home and filled it with water and it was still leaking where the core meets the header. Back to the radiator shop, who were kind enough to tell me I was screwed.

I ordered the new one. While the tractor sat idle and I waited for it to come in, I noticed a large pool of hydraulic oil on the ground under the filter. Hmmmm. It seemed another stick had bent the tube that goes from the tank to the filter and broke the seal at the filter end. I ordered one of these as well. $35.

It took about 45 minutes to get the new radiator installed. Started it up and the hydraulic pump was still making that whining noise. I drained the hydraulic fluid, installed the new tube and seals filled up the fluid and started it up. No more leak, and no more noise from the pump. The pump must have been picking up air from the leaking seal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Everything is back to normal except my bank account.