Recent content by Fields_mj

Agreed, and I wouldn't quit either. Just because its hard, doesn't mean its not worth doing, or that you can't love it. I'm not whining about anything. Any time someone can avoid giving the government money, I'm all for it. No need to give those thieves any more than you absolutely have to...

That's the part that I'm trying to understand a little better. I really don't see a way to make a 450 work, and a 550 is going to be right at the edge. I'm basically trying to figure out if I can haul 2 cords of hickory while pulling an equipment trailer with a loader on it that weighs around...

I see those trucks on the road pretty much year round. Used to be, they were only used during harvest. Now they haul back to the farm during harvest, and then throughout the year whenever they want to sell.

Then quit. I have nothing against farmers, and I don't really care whether or not they get a brake on their plates or not. Farm plates are pennies on the dollar compared to all the other subsidies they get. I've known plenty of farmers in my life, and work with several. It IS hard work. Its...

I'm not planning on getting a CDL at this point, and a F650 is a noticeably larger footprint than a 550. My budget will be around $10k. I put about 5,000 miles a year on my 350. When I replace my current daily driver, I expect to decrease the mileage on the truck by quite a bit. There are...

If a person is going to knowingly break the rules, they assume the risk. Personally, I would have probably had a different answer for the officer, but to each their own.

Not a concern for me. I refuse to own an engine that requires DEF. I'd go with a gasser before dealing with DEF. For my purposes, it just wouldn't make sense.

Explain to me exactly WHY farmers are ENTITLED to plates that allow them to circumvent pretty much EVERY requirement but a guy who owns and operates a small construction company is not? I'm not against them, but the idea of someone getting their panties in a bunch because they don't like they...

In Indiana, I'm told that the definition is pretty broad. Sell veggies at the farmers market or a corner stand? You qualify. Raise goats, or even chickens in your back yard? You qualify. Selling firewood would DEFINATELY qualify.

"Just about worn out" is an often misused statement. Seems like people thing that if something is 20 years old, its shot and needs to be replaced. Don't tell my 1983 1710 tractor that... The reason those older trucks are priced so high is because they last for so long and are a lot easier to...

I've been running a diesel for a little over 15 years now. The comments about maintenance largely apply to the '07 and later vehicles. That's tied directly to changes in emission standards that took effect in 2007 and resulted in most engines requiring DEF. The comment also extend to Fords...

Most definitely used. Something in the '99 to '10 range. '99-'02 I'd plan on keeping the 7.3 and probably put a chip in it. My stock 2000 7.3 has all the power I need, but with a lot more payload I can see myself wanting more ponies and TQ. If it came with a 6.0, it would just depend on what...

Honestly, I might look into that. About half the time I'd be using it would be for farm type work. I'm not opposed to getting a CDL, especially down the road. I turned 50 this year, and I might be in a position for early retirement in another 5 years or so. The F550 with a dump bed and a CDL...

I'm looking for a sanity check here. I'm starting to make plans to replace my 2000 F350. Its a 4wd crew cab with a long bed that I bought used from the original owner about 8 years ago. When I bought it, it was my daily driver, but I bought a used Camry 5 years ago. The cost of fuel paid for...

I put together trauma kits for our house and vehicles a few years ago. I do some part time work as a firearms instructor, hunt a lot, and run chainsaws quite a bit. My wife is a RN. Over the course of about 12 months, she was first on scene to 3 different car wrecks, 2 with fatalities, and a...