What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??

/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #21  
Guys, I was told adding a chain hook on the ends of the bucket would twist or tweak the FEL frame altogether causing long term damage to the entire FEL by having the load-lift-pull all on one side of the bucket. Having it in center would better distribute the weigh with no twisting preasure on the FEL frame. I was advised to only put them in the middle. Yes, adding the grapple would be a problem. I was given this advice by my local John Deere dealer\friend.

I drape a chain across the chain hooks then center the load on the chain. Always centering the load is good advice.

Don
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#22  
Guys, I was told adding a chain hook on the ends of the bucket would twist or tweak the FEL frame altogether causing long term damage to the entire FEL by having the load-lift-pull all on one side of the bucket. Having it in center would better distribute the weigh with no twisting preasure on the FEL frame. I was advised to only put them in the middle. Yes, adding the grapple would be a problem. I was given this advice by my local John Deere dealer\friend.

That does make sense. But if I had hooks on both sides and were going to pick up a heavy load, I'd use 2 chains and utilize both hooks and distribute the weight between them. That's the way I've done it in the past.
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#24  
It just depends on the size of the item the loader is picking up. Having at least two chains available for use is standard operating equipment. 3RRL mounted a 25mm ammo box on his tractor for chain storage that opens from the bottom to drop the chains out. It's a neat addition.

See 3RRL's chain box in this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/c...-tool-box.html

What an awesome idea!!! I need to get one of those!
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #25  
Excellent advice.

It just depends on the size of the item the loader is picking up. Having at least two chains available for use is standard operating equipment. 3RRL mounted a 25mm ammo box on his tractor for chain storage that opens from the bottom to drop the chains out. It's a neat addition.

See 3RRL's chain box in this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/140928-another-chain-box-tool-box.html



Don

Guy's
I think we agree the load must be centered making sure we balance the load properly or there would be trouble with twisting the loader. I was suggesting one hook not two as the issue. I should have stated that more clearly. When I can I do plan to add a Grapple hook. The Governor ( my wife that is, has not approved the funding for one yet)
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#26  
For those interested, here are a couple of pics of the new tractor that I received today...
 

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/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #27  
Nice! And CLEAN! Congratulations!!

Always wear your seatbelt! Sometimes you get no warning.

Although not a tool, one thing I always have on hand is a good polymer wax. Cleaning (by rinsing) the unit is much easier when the finish is properly protected. Most of the time I can use a garden hose, but sometimes I break out the Cat pump and have a blast.

Since my DK with loader and backhoe is essentially a zerk fitting tree in full bloom, I took the plunge and purchased an Alemite 14.4 volt cordless grease gun. My greasing program has been cut by two-thirds. Either the Alemite or the Lincoln 14.4 volt guns can develop 10,000 psi, which helps to push clogs through.

I use my 3/4 inch drive for effortless torquing (checking the torque) of lug nuts, lader and backhoe frames, etc. Although costly, a nice set comes in handy. I have air tools and a large air compressor at the lower barn, but usually for routine stuff I use hand tools.

Locktite should always be in the toolbox too.

I also like the rubber pipe/filter wrenches. One can wrap them around cylindrical objects (especially delicate ones or ones you do not want to mutilate) and apply a good deal of wrenching power. I have a few sizes.

I also bought a portable DC welder that runs off batteries in series (Readywelder II). It'll weld up to 3/4 inch steel or aluminum (with shielding gas) in a single pass at ~400 amps. I figure with the size and geography of my land, it's easier to get the welder to the tractor and implements than vice versa. Not many folks would volunteer to tow or drag my DK off the mountain!

Just a few thoughts, as they folks here have covered a lot already. Be safe!
 
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/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #28  
For those interested, here are a couple of pics of the new tractor that I received today...

Very Nice! Now you just need to replace that MF sticker on the boxblade. :D
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#29  
Thanks for all the great advice guys.

I ended up doing a little work with the Kioti this evening. Keep in mind that I've never really driven a tractor before. This past summer I drove my father-in-law's early '80's model Case around a lumber yard about 20 yards at a time. So, today was my first "real" experience actually operating one. After about 5 minutes of actually admiring the machine sitting on my property, I went to work. We've excavated a house seat where we plan to build a house later this year, so I have mounds of dirt sitting everywhere. So, I decided to lay into one.

My first impression is that the KL130 loader isn't exceptionally powerful. Of course, I'm sure there's some technique I'm lacking just yet. Nonetheless, I sank the bucket up in a mound of dirt, but it wouldn't lift a scoop out of it. I know there's the curl/lift technique that you're supposed to use, but I'll have to work on that. But I really expected the loader to lift out of it. I had to back up a little bit to lift or curl. But it has rained here for 2 straight days, hard at times, and that probably has a little (or a lot) to do with it. And after researching a little, I think the issue wasn't the loader's power so much as my inexperience. I was trying to lift very wet soil that was piled up almost 3 months ago. My kids have played all over it, it has rained and snowed on it. I didn't loosen the soil at all beforehand. I dug in at the bottom of the pile and tried to lift. The mound is about 5' high and I'm not sure what my RPMs were. The Kioti was probably rolling it eyes at this time :rolleyes: cursing his misfortune for having landed in the hands of such an incompetent operator!:eek:

Next, I decided to take some washboarded gravel humps out of my driveway. My driveway is sort of steep in a section and the new gravel we got about 2 months ago made a series of 4 or 5 decent-sized humps from the traffic going up the hill. So, with the tractor pointed up the hill I back-bladed using my FEL. That worked out pretty well. But the middle section of the driveway is humped up from years of traffic and I had a hard time actually getting down to the gravel in the wheel paths. But the hump didn't last long once the Kioti layed into it!

Lastly, I learned a valuable lesson that should have been a no-brainer. I decided to drive the tractor down into this big swag, on the side of which is a long ditch that has remained uncovered for about 7 years (see earlier post). Once I got down in the swag I remembered that it had rained 2 days straight as the tires sunk up quite a bit. It was VERY marshy. Nonetheless, I tried to back my box blade into the mound of dirt to cut it off and push the dirt back into the ditch. I think it would have worked out well if I would have had any traction. I put it in 4WD and sat and watched all 4 tires spin and fill with mud. So, lesson learned...tractors don't like mud!!
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#30  
Very Nice! Now you just need to replace that MF sticker on the boxblade.

That and a few cans of Kioti orange paint should do it up nicely!:D
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #31  
couple things nobody mentioned

a good set of punches and chisels will be needed , especially the drive punch when you shear that first shear pin and it has an edge on it so it won't just push out with the new bolt.

when power washing NEVER aim the high pressure stream at any bearing seals or electric components. a trick we always use is shape HD aluminum foil over alternators or other electric stuff if cleaning near them. a couple minutes of care and prep will save expensive replacements later!!!
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #32  
For those interested, here are a couple of pics of the new tractor that I received today...

Welcome to the pack. Let the fun begin. You look good on the bright orange machine.
I've had my CK35HST for a month or so now and there are times I sit on it quietly read the paper. There is something about it that I can稚 explain. Last weekend I picked up an 8' cultivator, harrow, and two bottom plow. The auctioneers had my number! With 16 hours, this weekend will be the test. The frost is out, I知 heading to cabin to start my first food plot and cleaning up the damage\dead trees the Potlatch loggers left behind.

Greg
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own?? #33  
I ended up doing a little work with the Kioti this evening. ......

My first impression is that the KL130 loader isn't exceptionally powerful. Of course, I'm sure there's some technique I'm lacking just yet. Nonetheless, I sank the bucket up in a mound of dirt, but it wouldn't lift a scoop out of it. ......

Next, I decided to take some washboarded gravel humps out of my driveway. .........I back-bladed using my FEL. That worked out pretty well. But the middle section of the driveway is humped up from years of traffic and I had a hard time actually getting down to the gravel in the wheel paths. But the hump didn't last long once the Kioti layed into it!

Lastly, I learned a valuable lesson that should have been a no-brainer. ........tractors don't like mud!!

The KL130 is actually a pretty powerful loader for that size tractor. Still, if you had a caked pile of dirt and tried to bury the loader in the bottom and then lift I can see that you'd have trouble. You should however be able to fill the loader with loosened dirt and lift a full bucket without issues even if the dirt is wet. Try loosening up the pile a bit and then scooping a bucket of dirt to see what happens.

It appears you have a box blade so that would be a much better tool to work on the driveway than your bucket/FEL. It takes a bit of practice to use a boxblade effectively but it is well worth the effort especially for driveway maintenance. You'll wear out your bucket cutting edge pretty quickly trying to do it with the FEL.

Getting stuck in a tractor is part of learning its limits. Practice using the FEL to pull or push your way out of mud. Works well especially for those of us with R4 tires that are mostly useless in marshy ground or mud. If you haven't tried it yet, just put the bucket face down (fully dumped) on the ground, then lift the front of the tractor just a bit and then curl the bucket. That will push you backwards a foot or two and can be coordinated with driving backwards. Sometimes it is better not to lift the front of the tractor at all but rather to use the traction of the front tires as well in 4wd but I find it is usually better to get optimal grip with the bucket and to put more weight on the rears.

Good luck and keep exploring the capabilities of your CK. You'll be comfortable soon.
 
/ What Basic Tools Should a Newbie Own??
  • Thread Starter
#34  
I've had my CK35HST for a month or so now and there are times I sit on it quietly read the paper. There is something about it that I can稚 explain. Last weekend I picked up an 8' cultivator, harrow, and two bottom plow. The auctioneers had my number! With 16 hours, this weekend will be the test. The frost is out, I知 heading to cabin to start my first food plot and cleaning up the damage\dead trees the Potlatch loggers left behind.

Yeah, it's supposed to be sunny and 80 degrees here this weekend. I'm not usually an early riser, but I think I'll get up at the crack of dawn and get started!! Like you, I plan to make the most of my weekend! Good luck to you. I hope those implements all work out!

It appears you have a box blade so that would be a much better tool to work on the driveway than your bucket/FEL. It takes a bit of practice to use a boxblade effectively but it is well worth the effort especially for driveway maintenance. You'll wear out your bucket cutting edge pretty quickly trying to do it with the FEL.

It was getting late in the evening yesterday when I decided to tackle the driveway. I knew I didn't have enough time to figure out the box blade before dark, so I went with what I knew. But I do plan to work the BB this weekend. Hopefully it will be dry enough to get some traction.
 

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