Well it's here!

[chas0218]

Now I just need to start working her. Pushed some brush, messed around with the backhoe, and gave my boys a ride. Really looking forward to cleaning up my property.

 

[Wagtail]

Congratulations.

Don't forget to torque the wheel lugs, tighten everything you can, grease & spray lube anything that moves and check the fluid levels. I know that this should've been done by the dealership... Trust but verify.

 

[Blue14]

Congrats,Nice looking tractor and back hoe.

 

[newbury]

Tractor looks like it needs some mud!
Work it!
Congratulations.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Congratulations! Great new toy... ehhh ... I mean tool! Have fun!

 

[Thomas]

BIG congrats..darn nice looking setup.:thumbsup:

 

[chas0218]

Thanks Everyone! It should be a great tractor for my property.

That backhoe is going to be a bit of a learning curve. Quite a bit different operating that then the mini excavators or skid steers. Might shorten the rods or at least put a bend in them to get them closer to me so they are more in my lap.

So far my here is my initial opinion/observations with only a few hours on the machine.

-Fender mount loader controls are awesome!
-Work platform for tractor very well laid out and roomy even for a CUT.
-Clutch area could be a little bigger but might be just because I'm used to larger tractors.
on this note I wear a 11 size shoe and find myself hitting the cowling when I'm operating the clutch. This could be because I'm not familiar with the layout yet.
- Brake lever to lock both together is quite chintzy, it works but definitely could use a little bigger chunk of metal
- The power, whoa I can't believe this is only 35hp. This rivals my father's Kubota 55hp MX when pushing brush.
-Backhoe seems a little anemic but I was digging in half frozen ground and the stump was about 10" across at the base. Dug the ground no problem just the stump roots were stuck.
-Loader came with bucket level indicator, how did I operate all these years without one.
-Not really a problem with the tractor but a lot bigger in my garage than expected even though I measured.
-Loader is strong but haven't really tested it to its limits.
-The bucket is huge, I managed to fit 1/3 of a facecord of wood which filled my small indoor storage rack.
-Parking brake alarm is really annoying. I don't like having to set it using the backhoe. I can't move myself along as easy.

Wife isn't the happiest about having a gear tractor but pushing brush I don't get the whine and can actually push to the full potential of the tractor.

 

[chas0218]

Congratulations! Great new toy... ehhh ... I mean tool! Have fun!

Now you sound like my wife! haha She already says I'm outside "playing" when I say I'm "doing work". God forbid I enjoy doing work so in a way I guess I am playing. I'll never let her know that though!

I forgot to mention the dealer said it was a turbo motor and it is not. Happy it isn't only because turbos do end up going bad at some point.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Great to hear you are having some fun.

To reply to some of your observations, the foot / clutch issue is probably just a matter of getting used to it. I have a size 12 shoe and initially would hit the cowling. Have not hit it after about the first 20 hours.

Agree, the level indicator is fantastic! Makes using the loader much easier.

The brake connector lever is as simple as it gets. I do not think I have ever used it with split brakes, no need too, do not think I ever will (unless I start plowing fields).

The power is definitely on par with bigger machines, the hydraulic pumps on these are bigger output than some slightly larger machines.

For the BH, it is different than some other machines I have operated. There is definitely a learning curve. I have noticed that the power of the bucket curl and dipper stick is stronger than the boom. This goes against what “ muscle memory “ that I have. I will be digging and doing great progress, then all of a sudden, will be having a harder time.... reverted back to “ the old way “ of operating it. Once I realize that, and go back to using it “ differently “, it starts digging great again. This has been happening less and less, so definitely need to “ re-learn “ the controls.

Digging out stumps is not easy for any of these CUT BHs. It will get done, but just takes more time and finesse.

I was surprised also at the size of the buckets. Great for scooping / carrying stuff, but a detriment to actually “ digging “ with one. The bucket on my SCUT was only 48 inches and about half the capacity, but it would dig much better.... again taking longer.

I am really glad I do not have a parking brake alarm.... I would find it and cut a wire for sure! .... not sure if is tied into the “ safety functions “ though.

MOST IMPORTANT : I have told myself over and over that I need a bigger “ tractor house “ ..... I just need to convince the wifey... she still says “ it fits just fine ! “ ....

Have some more fun!

 

[chas0218]

Great to hear you are having some fun.

To reply to some of your observations, the foot / clutch issue is probably just a matter of getting used to it. I have a size 12 shoe and initially would hit the cowling. Have not hit it after about the first 20 hours.

Agree, the level indicator is fantastic! Makes using the loader much easier.

The brake connector lever is as simple as it gets. I do not think I have ever used it with split brakes, no need too, do not think I ever will (unless I start plowing fields).

The power is definitely on par with bigger machines, the hydraulic pumps on these are bigger output than some slightly larger machines.

For the BH, it is different than some other machines I have operated. There is definitely a learning curve. I have noticed that the power of the bucket curl and dipper stick is stronger than the boom. This goes against what “ muscle memory “ that I have. I will be digging and doing great progress, then all of a sudden, will be having a harder time.... reverted back to “ the old way “ of operating it. Once I realize that, and go back to using it “ differently “, it starts digging great again. This has been happening less and less, so definitely need to “ re-learn “ the controls.

Digging out stumps is not easy for any of these CUT BHs. It will get done, but just takes more time and finesse.

I was surprised also at the size of the buckets. Great for scooping / carrying stuff, but a detriment to actually “ digging “ with one. The bucket on my SCUT was only 48 inches and about half the capacity, but it would dig much better.... again taking longer.

I am really glad I do not have a parking brake alarm.... I would find it and cut a wire for sure! .... not sure if is tied into the “ safety functions “ though.

MOST IMPORTANT : I have told myself over and over that I need a bigger “ tractor house “ ..... I just need to convince the wifey... she still says “ it fits just fine ! “ ....

Have some more fun!

Yeah I have to get used to it a little. I know not all tractors are the same. I will agree 1000% old habits die hard.

 

[3Lfarms]

Good looking machine! You get lots of use out of it. Do check every nut and bolt you can. Get yourself a 250 ft lb torque wrench if you don’t already have one. A HF one will do just fine. All the wheels lugs should be tighter than you would think. Check them now and then in about 15 or 20 hours. Then check them again at the 50 hour service. Once they stop needing to be tightened, I mark mine with a red paint marker so I can see if anything moves.

You can store it with the loader bucket folded under and with the backhoe swung (is that a word?) to the side to make it a little more compact in the garage. If your ceiling is high enough, you could even store it with the loader raised all the way if you install the maintenance locks so it doesn’t drift down while parked.

I find that I have to have the engine running when I grease my loader and backhoe so I can move the controls to get some of the zerks to take grease.

Did you get the rear tires loaded? If not, do it. It helps a lot when digging with the hoe and in general makes it pull harder.

 

[chas0218]

Good looking machine! You get lots of use out of it. Do check every nut and bolt you can. Get yourself a 250 ft lb torque wrench if you don’t already have one. A HF one will do just fine. All the wheels lugs should be tighter than you would think. Check them now and then in about 15 or 20 hours. Then check them again at the 50 hour service. Once they stop needing to be tightened, I mark mine with a red paint marker so I can see if anything moves.

You can store it with the loader bucket folded under and with the backhoe swung (is that a word?) to the side to make it a little more compact in the garage. If your ceiling is high enough, you could even store it with the loader raised all the way if you install the maintenance locks so it doesn’t drift down while parked.

I find that I have to have the engine running when I grease my loader and backhoe so I can move the controls to get some of the zerks to take grease.

Did you get the rear tires loaded? If not, do it. It helps a lot when digging with the hoe and in general makes it pull harder.

Thanks! Im loving this thing it makes such quick work of what used to take me forever by hand. Checked the loader bolts yesterday, I need to check the lug nuts forgot those. Put about 4 hours on it today digging a stump. I would much rather push the tree over than dig out the stump. Although the stump I dug the tree wouldn't have just pushed over. I really like the tractor the loader is way stronger than I anticipated and the BH is very helpful. I added a chain hook today before venturing up to my clearing.

 

[chas0218]

I ended up taking the hoe off to fit in the garage, it's pretty easy to get it back on. If I didn't have the shelf in the back or a little higher she would fit no problem.

 

[traderfjp]

I just ordered the 240HE. My wife wouldn't let me order a non-hst so she can use it. How is the top speed. I had a MT125 and foound the H gear to have little power and not at all fast making moving dirt a chore. Loved the machine but was ready for the upgrade. Now I get to wait.

 

[traderfjp]

I have a 240HE on order. How is filling the tank in the back? Looks like it could be a nightmare. Thanks and good luck with your new tractor. What size bucket did you get on the BH. I opted for the 12"

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Filling the tank is a PIA for sure! I just got one of these to help with the task...
12v 155w Electric Diesel Oil and Fuel Kerosene Transfer Extractor Pump Set Kit | eBay

It is a decent unit, nice quality of tubing. I saw the same identical hand nozzle at TSC for $40 by itself, the black supply hose was $35.

I have not tried it yet, but getting close to needing a fill. I am just gonna keep that heavy 5 gal fuel can on the ground. Plus, I will flush it out, then use it to refill the hydraulic fluid at my 250 hr service.

 

[traderfjp]

The transfer extractor pump is claiming 10 gpm. Have u tried it yet? That is a lot of flow.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

No, I have not used it yet, hopefully this week. The tractor is getting low on fuel, but I have not been able to use it this weekend due to rain / mud. I did a " dry run" for a few seconds to make sure it worked. The torque when it turned on almost made it jump off the bench. It might not hit those numbers ( I am sure overrated) but I would bet it's close.

 

[traderfjp]

No, I have not used it yet, hopefully this week. The tractor is getting low on fuel, but I have not been able to use it this weekend due to rain / mud. I did a " dry run" for a few seconds to make sure it worked. The torque when it turned on almost made it jump off the bench. It might not hit those numbers ( I am sure overrated) but I would bet it's close.

I got my transfer extractor pump which is similar to what you have. I'm amazed of the quality and what you get for the money. That said I think I will need to figure out how to mount this. I was actually thinking of using a wooden dolly and build sides on it with shelves to house and hold a small lawn mower battery, a 5 gallon jug of diesel, the pump and a place to hang the nozzle. There are a lot of moving floppy parts. I don't see myself dragging this out everytime I fuel up. Did you have a plan on how best to set this up for easy use. In my current tractor the battery is buried but I think that in the mt2 series the battery is right there when you lift the hood. If I Can use the tractor battery I don't have to haul around a battery and keep it charged. Hard to make design decisions with out having the tractor in my hands.

 

[Wagtail]

I got my transfer extractor pump which is similar to what you have. I'm amazed of the quality and what you get for the money. That said I think I will need to figure out how to mount this. I was actually thinking of using a wooden dolly and build sides on it with shelves to house and hold a small lawn mower battery, a 5 gallon jug of diesel, the pump and a place to hang the nozzle. There are a lot of moving floppy parts. I don't see myself dragging this out everytime I fuel up. Did you have a plan on how best to set this up for easy use. In my current tractor the battery is buried but I think that in the mt2 series the battery is right there when you lift the hood. If I Can use the tractor battery I don't have to haul around a battery and keep it charged. Hard to make design decisions with out having the tractor in my hands.

This is what I eventually ended up doing... opening up the bonnet every time I needed to fuel was a pain but the frequency of fuelling against the cost of a dedicated 'fuel station' battery is a matter of personal choice.