Snow John Deere 770, snow removal and a few questions.

[RoyJackson]

In fact, I'll wager your girlfriend's folks live on Knaub Lane...just happened to know that property was sold recently.

I park my tractor inside. I really don't think this area gets that cold. With a good battery, that 770 should start without a block heater. However, I'd still install one. Makes that engine start like it's summertime.
If you have one, you'll see a short length on electric line with a male plug somewhere inside the engine compartment.

I don't know how expensive they are...but for easier starting, I'd install or have one installed. I will, one of these days...

 

[bocephus]

you got it. knaub lane. they are about half done a log house back there on 16 acres. they are a little bit upset. the farmland all surrounding there has been sold and they are putting up something like 160 houses.

Take Care
John

 

[RoyJackson]

"you got it. knaub lane. they are about half done a log house back there on 16 acres. they are a little bit upset. the farmland all surrounding there has been sold and they are putting up something like 160 houses.

Take Care
John"


All that farmland has been sold?
Darn, that's a bummer. I thought that development got denied.

I'll check into this...but there was a lot of opposition to the proposed development. And, a high power line was just constructed near there...that requires a 150' wide right of way.

At least they have 16 acres though...with enough trees to ensure some privacy. May as well start putting up "No Tresspassing" signs

 

[bocephus]

yeah they tell me that it was close to 200 acres sold, on both sides of burkeholder. they got a blue print in thier mail box a couple months ago, with the plans. they all tried to fight it, but its like fighting city hall. supposed to start building in a year or two. last i heard the developer is now trying to sue some of the land owners back on knaub lane because they dont want knaub lane rerouted, to come off of blacksmith road. a couple of the families back there already have for sale signs up. they ran power lines threw my g/f parents land last year and knocked off 3 acres of thier lot.

Sorry for getting off topic here guys.

John

 

[bowhunter543]

small world roy.

this will be my first diesel motor, ever. im unsure if this machine has a block heater installed already. what would you recommend for starting this thing when there is 2 feet of snow on the ground?

I have a 1997 deere 770 and store it in a unheated garage. I put a magnetic heater on the oil pan. I plug it in for about an hour and it fires right off. I did add a strap just to be sure it stayed where it belongs.

 

[crashz]

Of course the 770 is the best tractor in the world, cause its the one I have!!!!

All kidding aside, these things are great! I dug out our place in NY with it last Saturday and she ran like a champ. Think ice and snow so deep that a 3/4 ton Dodge with Cummins diesel had no way of pushing it with the plow or even driving through with the plow raised. So I dug through, a little at a time, stacking the snow to the side of the road as a pushed my way down.

The gear transmission is fine, but gets a little old after a while. I'm used to heavy equipment with powershift transmissions and torque converters, so when doing loader work, the gear tranny frustrates me. My next machine will definately be a hydro transmission.

If you work on hills, get the tires loaded for stability. Stability is by far the weakest point of the machine. My uncle used mine to do some mowing and landed it on its side. Bent my cab to h*ll. Glad he didn't get hurt, but I was still pretty PO'ed.

 

[Whitey]

I agree with crashz.........you will really like this tractor. Yes it is simplistic but that is the beauty of it. Yes it is a true gear drive and there may be times that you wish you would have bought a hydro........but the price sometimes is the bottom line. I bought my 770 TLB as a first CUT purchase. I did not have alot of money to throw at a unit and the one I bought did not give me a price attack. Great machine for what you want to do. I am currently looking at a 380A for the front of mine for snow. Hey bowhunter....did your post say magnetic oil heater???? Can anyone enlighten me on these?? How well do they work?

 

[foggy1111]

Living in MN....I have seen and used just about every type of heater known to man. The magnetic heater is handy for occasional use and can be moved to whereever its needed.

The one I have is made by Kats (or, KAATS?). Basically its just what its name says.....some fairly strong magnets hold the plug-in heating element (probably about 2x4" size x 2" high) to steel surfaces. It requires a good flat spot (like an oil pan) to adhere well. Just plug it in for a hour or so....it will heat the attached surface and the water or oil on the other side. Mine has a plastic (bakelite?) handle allowing it to be removed without burning your fingers. I'm not sure how many watts are in the output....but possibly 1/2 that of a block heater (which is even better around our parts anyway).

Handy item...easy to install....but don't leave it hanging on the surface during operation, or you might lose it to vibration.

 

[foggy1111]

I agree with crashz.........you will really like this tractor. Yes it is simplistic but that is the beauty of it. Yes it is a true gear drive and there may be times that you wish you would have bought a hydro........but the price sometimes is the bottom line. I bought my 770 TLB as a first CUT purchase. I did not have alot of money to throw at a unit and the one I bought did not give me a price attack. Great machine for what you want to do. I am currently looking at a 380A for the front of mine for snow. Hey bowhunter....did your post say magnetic oil heater???? Can anyone enlighten me on these?? How well do they work?

OH....and they work pretty well. And if I remember right...not that expensive. Maybe 20 to $30 ??...available at all auto stores around here. I've had mine so long I don't remember what I paid. But...when you need one...it's priceless!