A more robust Rodent Proofing solution? Is JD purposefully failing to address?

[Brown Dog]

… . I am not bush hogging or mowing anymore …. My biggest question is … , hasn't JD (or anyone) come up with a more permanent rodent defense feature …

I had a similar situation with rats after a couple years of letting my in-laws cut hay here on my farm.

I got INVADED with RATS BAD.

How long have you quit bush hogging & mowing ?

Hay Barns are a breeding ground for rats.
Don’t park any eqpt in or near one.

I NOW mow 15acres & Bush Hog another 7 acres = No More Rats.

I cleaned up all my brush piles.

Hawks & Coyotes can NOW catch what few that does make their way onto the farm.

 

[Brown Dog]

Get some mice poison and use it, keep it out and available all the time. Jane will be better for it.

If you have tall grass : you can’t put out enough poison to keep them away.
I tried it.
Read my other post.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

Myself, I do blame the equipment. I've talked to too many people that have their wiring harnesses eaten on their new cars that never had issues before. Some kept in an attached 2 car garage.It's not like it never used to happen- as it sure did. But nowhere to the degree it does with soylent green wiring...

Two things that help, Honda rodent tape and those little electronic mouse repellers.

I was aware of the change to the materials used to coat electrical wires and why asked if there was something to wrap these 'soylent green' (LOL) based coated wires. I appreciate your suggestion. I'll certainly be looking into Honda rodent tape. The dealer, unsurprisingly, was unwilling to offer any such solution.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

A good mechanic should be able to repair the wire harness instead of tearing your tractor apart. If the mechanic can't repair the harness, maybe he shouldn't be disassembling a tractor either. It is not uncommon for wire harnesses to be hard to come by.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

Had a Dodge Journey I had the wiring harnesses completely replaced by my car insurance after repairing like 3 times myself due to mice and squirrels. The insulation is made with plant based oils, like soy, and that attracts the rodents and they were attacking any exposed wires, like right at the injector plugs.

After the harness change, I had one more repair to make and found a 'solution' at that time: ALL the wires need covering in wire loom then the loom taped over. At the plugs, where the wire cannot be covered in loom, I coated the wires with GB's 'Liquid Electrical Tape' using several coats, drying ~10mins between each. After that I had no more problems until I traded it in a couple years later.

It's not every OEM that uses these soy insulated wires (current F150 seems immune to rodents), but as soon as I notice, I coat all the wires I can and have no more problems.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

I live out in what is called - open range land. I have mice and chipmunks. Always have - always will.

I've tried most everything except open, exposed poison.

My current solution. Leave the hood to the engine compartment open. Mice and 'munks don't like the open environment.

This includes my - pickup, mower and tractor.

I have heard of leaving the hood open but I am not sure if, in rainy FL this is a good option.Our rain comes in from every direction and often it rains sideways. We also have very industrious and prolific blue birds who will nest any where. I might be swapping one creature feature for another.

 

[ruffdog]

There was a spot behind the dash of my TC33D tractor that mice always tried to nest at. I hate smelling mouse so I cleaned the area with Lysol and tied a couple of Fresh Cab rodent deterrent bags to the wires back there. I never had mouse again. I like the smell of Fresh Cab instead of the dryer sheet smell.

 

[scootr]

Surrounded by wheat fields we had the same problems, mice and rats nesting and chewing in cars, mowers, golf carts, tractors, you name it. One day I was visiting a neighbor when a tabby cat came out and rubbed on my leg. I asked him if he had mouse problems, afterall his place backed up to a 50 acre wheat field. I was surprised when he replied no and I looked at the cat again.
Soon after that I got a couple of barn cats, feral rehomed by the PAWs people. Results were nearly immediate and 5 -6 yrs later and we are still rodent free. Not they are not here but they don't live long enough to do any damage. I feed dry food and water. If they want meat they hunt for it.

 

[Brown Dog]

@FunkeeMunkee How long have you quit bush hogging & mowing ?

Regular mowing / bush hogging is way better than a truck load of rat bait / poison.

 

[rScotty]

The older tractor didn't rely on all the wiring and sensors either. The new emissions and ECMs make the wiring a real mess.

Yep. There's been a change in the tractor world. The older tractors - pre about 2012 - were made to be easily repaired; today we have new ones which are made to be easily replaced.

I like that we have both choices. The working features of tractors haven't changed much in decades. More convenience features have been added, but little else has changed.

Today's tractor buyer can choose whether he wants repairability or convenience.
We didn't use to have that choice.

Some say older tractors were easily repairable because they needed to be. There is some
truth to that, but given simple repair & maintenance those older ones are still going strong.
rScotty