As if it weren't obvious, I followed that guy's thread on adding a 3rd function a little too closely. The parts list didn't work with the valve (he never updated the thread with these issues) and I apparently didn't notice that there are two different hose sizes on my tractor. The thread I followed had 3/8" fittings all around. I saw 3/8" hose on the tractor and just followed this other thread. I learned later that my tractor only has 3/8" going to the lift controls, 1/2" for everything else. I finally got out a caliper and checked all the fittings on the FEL valve and should have the proper stuff coming in this week or weekend. At this point I am thoroughly introduced to hydraulic fittings and can tell you the difference between ORB/BOSS, NPSM, NPT, JIC, flat face, AG, etc. I wouldn't have felt comfortable ordering all the fittings from scratch before encountering and learning about all the issues I've had. Fortunately, DiscountHydraulicHose has a return policy so I'll likely send back all my excess.
I did end up ordering a filter for the tank return. Hoping to get it plumbed in when I get everything else hooked up. Meanwhile I've been dragging dead corn stalk like crazy, trying to get it up before there is too much green stuff growing.
We finally have power at the house! Wait.. We
had temporary power at the house..
I've been working on this land a couple times a week since I got the tractor. I got way too accustomed to being in an open field with absolutely no obstacles. I'm still embarrassed about the pole. It stood right back up due to the sand it was originally placed in. I was looking over my shoulder at the rake and didn't even slow down until after I had already made contact. Glad I hit the pole and not the transformer. Death by electrocution, while tractoring.. Sigh.
I mentioned there was a lot of sand on the property. The power company had to actually get a different piece of equipment out to trench the power line due to the trench continually caving in.
I'll post some pictures of my toolbox progress. I made a bracket to go across the ROPS and attached it. The plan was to attach the back of the toolbox onto this piece of angle and the front of the toolbox to a bracket which attached to the tractor frame below, where the fluorescent triangle attaches. I didn't realize until I was ready to bolt everything up that the ROPS and the plate I wanted to attach the front support on are on two different pieces of the tractor and are seemingly independent when the tractor is moving. In other words the rops is attached to the frame? and the other piece is floating to absorb some of the shock while riding? Or maybe it has to do with the axle pivot? Going to have to come up with some way to support the entire tool box off the ROPS.
