Recent content by rScotty

Good idea. Just for a quick check, there should be a dipstick for the common transmission & hydraulic fluid sump. It is usually on the hump between your feet. Check that dipstick - or if missing, use a clean stick to get a sample of that oily fluid. Normally the fluid will be clear like new...

The Ford 1700 was made up until 1982. You can look up basic info on any tractor ever made on TractorData.com. Yes, they were and still are real nice tractors. As to the loader lift, it could be anything at this point. I think you should definitely confirm for yourself that it does work and then...

It sounds like you want a backyard do everything machine.... I'd get myself a brand new Kubota B26 TLB. They are sort of like a tractor but made for light construction instead of light ag. Kubota has made the same TLB, since 2007, so by now they should have it right. They aren't common, your...

Glad to see someone with mechanical ability looking for an older tractor. Yes, $20K should buy a nice one. BTW, your land looks beautiful. Normally I'd say to consider 2wd machines, but with that much slope 4wd is going to be a necessity. Does the type of transmission matter? Hydrostatic HST...

I'd sure check that hose, or better yet just replace it with one having the internal spring. The other place that can cause overheating is where the fan shroud attaches to the radiator. Sometimes there is an air gap there which allows the fan to draw air in from the sides of the shroud instead...

I finally found my hose leak by power washing the area, quickly drying it with rags, and then following the occasional drip up to the highest point. Sure enough, there is a tiny pinhole in the rubber hydraulic hose cover. Not where anything can touch it, so probably manufacturing defect...

For any diesel compression test, be sure to use a Diesel Compression Gauge - it sounds like you have one. A diesel gauge normally goes to 1000 psi - much more than you can hold by hand. A gauge for a gas engine will not go high enough. In any compression test, test each cylinder by cranking the...

It all depends on the angle of the blade and the dirt. With the blade not angled and with both end caps mounted I think it would work just like a larger box blade. I have used it that way, but it fills up fast enough to stall my tractor. . So even though it has an end cap for each end, I often...

It is time to to replace the hydraulic hose to the factory thumb on our M59. Any hints gratefully accepted. Does anyone know the fitting size and type? I'd like to get some end caps just to keep things clean. I assume the fittings are JIC, but the manuals don't say which or dash size. The...

If you drop down a gear in the tall grass will the tractor still get hot? I don't like to run my tractor hot; not enough margin for error.

I did the same thing and for most of same reasons. A backhoe is very handy for lots of chores and if used reasonably & with a sub-frame it will not hurt you or the tractor. The cost was worth it to me just to have it available when needed. To the OP, I don't think you really haven't lost...

The mechanic may well be right. Your tractor is certainly showing the expected symptoms of overheating. I would have made the same call....but of course without some simple tests it is just a guess on both of our part. I understand that you want some confirmation of what you are getting into...

Our Milwaukee M18 Fuel brushless drill is a decent tool, but this one came with a weak chuck. I eventually bought it an expensive Rohm chuck - which worked a few years and then just failed completely. Now that Rohm won't grip or let go dependably. So it is chuck time again. Any...

I've bought older well-cared for machinery all my life, so that is my bias. And althogh I won't do major work, I do enjoy doing some mechanical work myself...always have. In buying older machines, I've come up with a few rules that have worked for me. Number one is that an old diesel should...

I've on my third electric power washer. The one that finally lasted - and still does - is from Home Depot. 2300 psi/1.2 GPM Ryobi. has wheels and looks almost like a gas powered one. Model is their "Premium Electric". I Think it cost a little over $200 a few years back plus whatever I paid for...