On 11/9/2014 4:48 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
"Terry Coombs" wrote in message
...
Got the hydrailic quick-disconnects replaced today on the tractor ,
mounted the front blade and exercised it a bit smoothing out the
driveway . I need some weight on the back of the machine , I'm
spinning the tires when I take a decent bite (tractor tread , not
turf) . I expect it'll be just fine if I need to move a little snow
just as it is now ... but if we get ice I'm thinking I'll need
chains . Fortunately it has independent rear brakes , might help in
slick conditions .
Looks like the only big project left on it now is repairs to the
mower deck - and I may be able to find a replacement for that
instead . Matter of money vs time , and I have a lot more of the
latter ... The deck has an advanced case of cancer , but I have the
material needed to repair it . I wouldn't dare spin up the blades
the way it is now , but repairs look to be pretty straightforward
and simple . Looks like the major problem will be maintaining the
blades all in the same plane should I decide to cut the bad pieces
out rather than doubling them . Both ways have their plusses . And
minusses ...
--
Snag
And I'm in it just over 400 bucks so far . Unless you count my time
... see above

I acquired a neighbor's leftover wheel weights for a riding mower he
had sold, and some 1" steel plate that I attached inside the rear
frame where it doesn't interfere with anything. It's nice to have a
milling machine to modify stuff like this.

Home-made chains on ag tires didn't do my lawn any good and their
traction on ice was disappointing compared to my car's Arctic Alpin
winter tires.


I use a rotary tiller to balance the back end down but plan on making a
heavy lift box and leave the tiller in safety. Sometimes one backs
into trees or such in the operation of some fancy curves. The front
bucket easily can be the weight box if the back needs counter weight.
I can back up and pick up quickly and that is easy enough to load with
water or steel. I'll just build in a bottom host fitting so I can
spread the water around instead of boring a hole into the ground.

Having 4 wheel drive also helps but weight and 4 wheel does do the job.

I only wish I had the next tractor size up, but to late now.

Martin