What's your winter projects...?

[RexB]

...Okay Rex, now how about the nice big belly pan? Oh and you must be getting better about hiding those dang beverage vessels, I can't find them.

You have a good memory for putting down as many yard beers as ya' do
The open beverages must be in the shop
The next winter project is that skid pan -- luckily i have flat steel up to 12" wide, that stuff is getting too expensive.

Dangit, I have to store my tractor in a semi container with the rops folded due to ceiling heighth. So no fancy headache rack for me.

RedRocker fabbed a good folding ROPS/TOPS to fit in his garage, and pictures. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/105004-rexb.html#post1196890

The weld-on clevis bases for it Pro-werks兌

Donna is mad at having to park her new car outside so I might have to look into an extra-tall storage container, or build a tractor shed...

New tractor vs new car gets parked inside ... I mean that was no choice was it?

 

[RexB]

Re: What's your winter projects...?

Added a trailer hitch... it makes it just too easy to move trailers around with. Welding the hitch inside the bucket put it four inches closer to the ground to better get under the flatbed and boat hitches (instead of welding it on top of the channel iron that is supporting the bucket hooks would have been just too high...)

Highbeam, a little skid plate under the lower hyd filter is next. This is too much fun!

 

[mark.r]

I posted these in a toothbar thread but not here so here goes. I am extending my driveway to the rear of my property. The digging is done, I am just waiting for the geotextile fabric to arrive and then order the gravel.

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[Mastertech]

RexB - I noticed the expanded metal added to your brush guard. It has inspired me to take mine off and add some!!!

 

[RexB]

mark.r that's a heckuva driveway you scooped out, nice place and nice job! Where's the snow? I figured you'd be digging out like malk315. Y'all lucky folks
,

RexB - I noticed the expanded metal added to your brush guard. It has inspired me to take mine off and add some!!!

Thanks MT, other tractorers here gave me the idea... You don't have to take off the guard to weld it on, a few "tacks" around the edges and one in the middle have resisted roots and brush real well. Here's a closeup pic...I bent the bottom eight inches inwards to protect the front end from upthrusting roots and branches.

 

[mark.r]

mark.r that's a heckuva driveway you scooped out, nice place and nice job! Where's the snow? I figured you'd be digging out like malk315. Y'all lucky folks

Thanks. It went fairly easy too! Yes, we have been very lucky as far as the weather. It has been 60-70 degrees the last three days here . . . IN JANUARY!!! We set records at all of the DC area airports. Don't worry though today is much cooler and I am sure we will get our share of the white stuff soon.

 

[williekioti]

OK, I haven't done anything quite as extensive as Rex's TOPS but I finally got around to adding a rear work light.

I was going to put it up with my work lights up on the ROPS but there were two convienent holes and available wire connections at this location................so I went with it. Maybe this is where it is intended to put an optional light? Seemed too easy. Will see how it works, should project beyond my rear attachments OK from initial tests. I can always swivel my upper work lights around if needed as well.

The second pic shows the switch location in second hole. It is a rubber sealed heavy duty unit and I connected it into two of the existing, available bullet connections underneath the cowling.

 

[williekioti]

I also got around to replacing my disintegrating FEL joystick boot. The replacement is of different manufacture and definitely feels heavier, better constructed.

It is a little involved to get in there. It is also the best way to get at the offending jam nut for the FEL stick. First I pulled off the 3pt lever knob(it's on there tight, but with persistance and a firm pull it came off). Removed the grey lever housing, the seat platform, 3pt lever, steel plate under 3pt lever and finally the two long bolts holding the FEL valve body. You also have to loosen the two bolts on top of the rear cowling(between the fenders) to remove the plate under the 3pt lever. While I had the boot off I adding some lube to the balls on top of the valves but they were in good shape already. I also took the opportunity to grease and lube everything exposed under there since I had easy access. Put on new boot and put 'er all back together and locktited that darn jam nut.

Hopefully this new boot will resist the elements better than the original did.....

 

[RexB]

Nice mods williekioti, and i copied your description for dismembering the joystick for future reference

I'm not adding a little skidplate under the lower hyd filter after all -- the full length frame for the backhoe covers it so well and the backhoe will be on 99% of the time.

We're getting an early Spring here (can that be, or did I just jinx it? Our winters are mild.) I'm getting fired up to take down more alder trees soon!

 

[williekioti]

Nice mods williekioti, and i copied your description for dismembering the joystick for future reference

It is a little more involved than I originally thought, but VERY straight forward and everything is very sturdy(the seat suspension system is impressive.....and heavy!). I think I'm going to make this a regular maintenance procedure for inspection/cleaning and lubing as necessary of the joystick mechanism, maybe yearly. A word of advice to all, if your boot is compromised don't delay in replacement. I was a little shocked by the amount of crap that had gotten in there in the relatively short time mine was ripped.:O