Waiting for delivery...

[seasalt]

Folks,

After much review, reading, consideration, etc., I have completed my order of a JD 3720 HSD, mid pto, auto cruise, rear svc, 300CX, HD bucket, work light, light guards, 50 amp alternator, 448 BH (yes went for it after much input from the group), 12" bucket, big R-4s, filled, with the welded Frontier BB1060 and a Ag Meire (made in Brenham) XL 440 PHD with a 9" auger. Have also purchased a 3 pt hitch connected 2"reciever to tow/position my trailer.

Trailer choice was almost as complex...Started with a tandem 3500 lb. Top Hat 20 ' bumper pull, with electric brakes, but after adding up all the options - detachable ramps, spare, Goodyear HD tires on 8 lug 16 in wheels, dual 5200 lb. axles with brakes on each with a set of two inch channels welded to the rear for a 2x12 tail gate, I got to within spitting distance of a much stronger built ODOM trailer - family built same frame since 1952 (Conroe, Tx), that already had all the above standard with twin 7000lb. axles. The ODOM has a massive 3 1/2 inch pipe rail, compared to angle on the lesser models and 2 7/8 on many of the good trailers, and every part is stiffer than anything I have shopped - plus a 7000lb jack and kickers on the ramps. Dealer assured me (after I wrote the check) that was the last trailer I would own and my kids would have it for years after I was gone.

Certainly the trailer capacity (will be derated to 12,000) is more (if fully loaded) than my 4x4 Suburban can haul. However it should pull all my gear nicely and without sweat - albiet at the max combined towing capacity of my rig. BTW installed a Jordan Ultima brake controller on the advice of the group as well - seemed to be the leader outside of the BrakeSmart (hydraulic sensor) set up that is temporarily out of production due to a change in ownership.

The step from twin 3500 lb axles to 7000's came by way of the fact that my tractor with FEL and BH and filled R-4's would be around 5500lbs. - max load for a tandem 3500# trailer. Didnt want to tow that much gear and $$$ at max load so I moved to a heavier unit. Also plan to have material (mulch, sand, rock, grass, gravel, etc.) loaded onto the trailer and be sturdy enough to drive the tractor with FEL up onto it to unload. Think I got enough to be safe and dealer agrees.

All is in except the BH. Small delay due to options ordered originally were shipped through Louisiana about the time of the storm (dead end), and had to be reordered.

Feel very happy about the long and arduous decision. Thanks again to all for the input and help making this long term decision.

Also recently closed on an additional 150x300ft parcel adjacent to my existing homestead. Now have lots (more) trees to manage / clear as I plan an overflow parking area (granite gravel) and trails throughout the 3+ acres of land I now have. Long term I hope to build a barn for the tractor (my new baby will stay in my one car separate garage / shop until then). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Longer term I might buy a ranchette in the Hill Country.

Did I get I right? Let me know your thoughts. First test will probably be a neighborhood hay ride for Halloween. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Off to tree felling and dirt work after that.

 

[bczoom]

Bart,

You must be anxious... It's the middle of the night. Can't sleep?
Congrats on your new setup. Sounds like you got everything.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also plan to have material (mulch, sand, rock, grass, gravel, etc.) loaded onto the trailer and be sturdy enough to drive the tractor with FEL up onto it to unload.)</font>

Since you mentioned it, just want to throw something out. Excercise caution when loading sand or stone on your trailer. The neighbor and I went to the local school to remove some excess sand they purchased for the track/field. He has a similar size construction trailer so we loaded it up as much as we could mound (no sides on the trailer). First thing he noticed when starting the drive back was how much more this load weighed than his equipment. Starting/stopping was a bit harder (he has a 3/4 ton diesel chevy truck). We got the load back to my house (I made a big sandbox for the kids) and he took his trailer home. The next day, he noticed that the steel belts in 3 of the 4 tires broke. Although the trailer could handle the load, the tires couldn't. Even with no sides, we estimated the load to be abot 14,000#. So, be careful you don't put too much sand or stone on it.

Brian

 

[seasalt]

bvzoom,

Thanks for the thoughts and notes on the trailer.

Have been waiting up for relatives to come in off the totally jammed I-45 with all the Houston/Galveston evacuees. Going to bed now. What is your excuse for being up?

Think I'll rack it for today and await the trauma of the coming storm. Hopefully safe in far north Houson/Conroe.

God bless you all. Hope you and family are safe.

 

[ddivinia]

Man - cool rig. I wish I had ordered mine, but it always seems that my dealer has one close enough on the lost. Oh well, I can ALWAYS upgrade.

D.

 

[GeorgeC]

See, turbos arent so bad...

 

[Mark4510]

Bart,
We will keep our fingers crossed for you as well as all our friends in the path of the storm.

Let us know how you are gettin' along when you can.

Sounds like you made really good choices for your rig. I sure wish I could have swung that sort of set up past the boss....

Be safe,
Mark

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Post a picture of your free T-shirt.

 

[Shadow_River]

seasalt,

Just read your Bio about " buying a little bigger than actual need so I don't have any later regrets!" I do have one suggestion regarding the backhoe bucket. I have both a 14 & 24 inch bucket. I originally owned the 12" but traded it back in for the 14". For most occassions the 14" is perfect, not to small, just big enough to still move enough dirt and yet big enough that you can still get into a trench and walk around. The 12" I had was just to small. Perhaps your needs are quite different than mine but thought I would suggest it.

Anyways, sounds like a great setup.

azzxx

 

[seasalt]

GeorgeC,

Allways open to learning a new way of thinking.. once we got the voodoo out of the posts, we werent far apart, only manhodd issues remained. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Looking well forward to geting it. Althogh it was shedueld for deliery today I was warned that if things continued to worsen in the Gulf we woul be putting it off. They did and we did. Could use it to clear things up around here after the aftermath. Glad it is safe and sound in their shop - trailer too.

I'll get the shirt and will post pics. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[seasalt]

Thank you
Will write an send pics.
Thank you.
You could, If you had mine, (alt. is to tie yours up - after a while they soften up a little. Finally you could buy her something too (but make it a tool!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

 

[seasalt]

Dear All,

Rita is gone now. Went just east of us leaving us the cleaner side. Was scheduled to have the eye pass within 50 miles of me, but later turned more northward and kept distance a bit further. Nontheless, we lost power (evacuated relatives with us), the moment Rita hit land even though we were 120 miles inland. Stayed out for 4 days and we stayed as long as we could stand it then ran for the log cabin at the lake near Huntsville. Stayed til Tues then came back that morning and shaved a 5 day beard and jumped int the car to head to Austin for a convention. Going back tomorrow AM. Left the wife in charge of a lot and need to help her.

All is fine with house. Lost some trees and limbs but nothing in my main yard that is too severe (just in the adjacent woods).

Due to all the trees in my neighborhood, and their proximity to the power lines (one of which was on the ground for four days), I am now shopping backup power supplies. Too dark and too hot for too long. (Did do a fine job of scouting though - smoked ribs, chicken, and fish outside on the grill and used a coleman lantern hung from a coat hanger outside the den window to light the main living area.) Lost most food in the main fridge, but was able to gen connect the deep freeze and keep most stuff in good shape.

Hope you are all well.

Will catch up on the tractor and trailer delivery when I get back. Power, gas, staples, cash all gone Wed PM til Monday is a scary thing.

Any suggestions on the back up generator - want a pad mount with an auto transfer switch capable of running the AC and some basic lighting.

 

[beenthere]

Glad you are doing okay.
I'm also thinking a gen set, just in case.

Here's some sites:
http://www.standbygeneratorsystems.com/select/calculator.cfm

http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/html/selection.htm


http://www.northernsafety.com/services/guides/honfeatures.cfm

There are more to be found. This may help.

I'm thinking PTO generator, and running off the CUT. Seems to be a better plan, for portability, as well as the CUT is always ready to go.
Any thoughts otherwise?

 

[ronjhall]

I'm not sure if your needs will be met by what is being installed at my place. Its a B&S 12KW Natural Gas unit with 200 amp auto switch. You probably have a larger A/C unit than I have for my 2000 SF home. Up here in Michigan we do not need as much power as you may need in TX. Here is a link to Briggs and Stratton
Here is a link to a recent TBN thread on Standby Generators. Click Here

 

[tilemanct]

What were the final numbers for the machine less the trailer?

 

[fastpat]

I recommend you wait a bit for the generator purchase, otherwise you'll have to get in line to get them.

Further, I'd suggest rather strongly that you consider a diesel unit, more money up front but 30-40% more efficient fuel consumption, a critical issue when the genset is needed. Diesel would enable you to justify a larger on site fuel tank to accommodate your tractor and the genset.

Pat

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Seasalt, when is your tractor coming in? You need to posts some pics, especially if you use it to clean up some damaged trees or such.

Hope you fared the storm well, most sailors have a better idea of preparing for storms than others...

 

[ddivinia]

I went with a 40KW propane fired Generac unit. I have dual 200A transfers. It works excellent. We use it often.

I looked at all the options, including running it off my tractor. This system is a tad more expensive, but much more usable. If I am out of town, which is often, I wanted my wife to be able to fire up the generator. She has to do nothing, it just kicks in and it also runs once a week to keep itself fresh.

Diesel can be a tough call, the fuel does go bad. I was installing a pool with a propane fire heater, so it made sense.

There are lots of options out there. You really need to get a handle on how much power you need, fuel options, and go from there.

Regards,
D.

 

[dentaltractor]

I just installed a Generac 15kw propane generator. I had a problem with the plumber not properly setting up the unit for propane. It come set up for natural gas and it has to be switched for lp. Any way it had a faulty crankcase seal and the manufacurer would not warrenty the set since it was'nt properly converted. The plumber had to purchase a new unit for me. If you install one yuor self make sure you follow all install specs or you could be in trouble.
This seems like common sense , but the thing is I know that this problem was not caused by the unit not being converted properly, but it voided the warrenty.