• Some owners opt to have their damaged tires repaired instead of buying a new set. This is not a bad option but you need to look into the tread to see if it is still useable. If the tread is just dead damaged, no amount of repair will make it perform that way that it should for you to maximize your efforts. Even if gets repaired, it might not last long and cost you more eventually.
• If you end up replacing one of the tires, you have to replace all the others. Even when the others are performing just fine, the uneven tire capacity will only set you back even more and may even end up damaging the new tire that you just bought. It will also not maximize the performance of your tractor. The tractor’s performance largely depends on the balance of the tractor. If you decide find that you have to replace one tire, look for tractor tires for sale and replace all of it.
• You can make some money out of your old tire. There are stores that buy used tires no matter how damaged. You may opt to sell it to other stores or to recycling companies that use tires to upcycle, the process of converting thrash to much valuable materials.
• When you are looking for used tractor tires, check physical shops and online shops to be able to scout for the best price. There are a lot of online stores that offer good deals but unless you know someone personally who can attest to the credibility of the store, don’t purchase anything from it. However, online stores are often recommended by many as the best source for used tractor tires. Online stores are able to chop off a great portion of their price because they don’t spend a lot of money on physical shops and additional manpower to maintain the store.
• Aside from the tread, consider the brand name. Brands like John Deere are proven to be more durable than others and especially useful on hard terrains. If you think you will spend less with tires with no brand names, consider the possibility of the tire breaking sooner than you will save the money you will need for another replacement.
• Also check the factory specifications. Check the speed ratings, load ratings, and size. Buying the wrong kind of tire will affect the performance of your tractor.
• Also ask why the tire is in the market in the first place. If it is in the market because it is already damaged, you will simply be spending for someone else’s problem.
• When the tire is over four year, drop it. You will find many other tractor tires that are less than two years old. Naturally, the newer the tire, the more expensive it its but, once again, what’s the use of buying a tire that you will have to replace soon enough?

Lastly, if you don’t know enough about tires, bring someone that can give you a credible recommendation.

Know what you will use it for first. Most people with fireplaces find log splitters very useful however, if you are looking to buy one for commercial purpose like building, check out higher models and check out all the safety features.

Know who will be around the log splitter. Most accidents involving log splitter happen when someone is actually using it and someone else is nearby. As a standard procedure, no more than one person should operate it and if anyone else is around, the other person should be AT LEASTS ten feet away. Whoever is using it though, should never put the logs inside by holding either end. Hold the log in the middle. However, some log splitter’s for sale will require you to put the log horizontally and others vertically. It is a known fact that used log splitters that load horizontally are safer to use. Regardless of the loading requirement, never put any of your body part between the ram and the wedge. This is one of the most common source of accidents involving log splitters. Keep it safe and make sure you operate the ram control using your hand. Don’t use an extension, it can only cause more accidents.

Don’t forget to check the horsepower too. This is the best indicator of how powerful the engine is. If you are using the use log splitters for home purposes like cutting wood for your fireplace, an engine with five to eight horsepower is enough. If you are using it for commercial use, look for one with more than 9 hp.

Here is a log splitter 101 lesson. The ton capacity actually tells you how powerful a hydraulic log splitter is. It can be anywhere between two to 25. Naturally, the ones with lower ton capacity is enough for home use but for commercial purposes, get the ones above nine.

Check how the log splitter is maintained. Some require very low maintenance because it is equipped with the capacity to lubricate itself but others require more attention. You may need to regularly sharpen it for it to perform efficiently. Naturally, it is better to get the self-lubricating ones but like any other machine, the more convenience it gives, the more expensive it is.

Read the owner’s manual extensively before even attempting to operate it. There are many pieces of information there to guide you the safest way to operate the log splitter. Besides, if you operate it the wrong and damage it, you will not be able to utilize the warranty.

Never use the log splitter on icy surfaces. Most log splitters have very good traction but this is a dangerous machine and it would be wise to exercise caution at all times. Just stir it away from anything muddy or too wet as used log splitters could slipt and cause accidents.

The company was founded by John Deere in 1837, a real hardcore blacksmith. He was responsible for the very first cast steel plow which became the standard equipment in for farmers in the mid-west. More than a hundred years since then, John Deere manuals are scattered in 26 countries giving work to more than 50,000 people. He is more than an icon, he is a living history.

He has expanded his business to beddings and even clothing but John Deere tractors remain to be his flagship product. The 1023E is one of the many John Deere tractors which I have had the most experience with. It is a more advanced version of the 2305, which is one of the best of its kind in the market. One of the best features they added is the upgrade of the transmission cooler that greatly improves the fan system.

The other improvement is a more obvious one. You can see the amount of planning put into this to really improve the older models. There are some reported problems in the older versions like difficulty in shifting so the 1023E was designed to comprehensively address all those concerns. Pop open the hood and you will see one of the simplest engine design you will see. They figured out a way to make it compact without taking out essential functions. For one, they put the transmission fluid filter above the chassis while the upper driveshaft is more accessible for maintenance and repairs. That is something the 2305 didn’t even have in the John Deere manuals.

The 1023E has 22.4 hp and runs on diesel which makes it very fuel efficient. Diesel systems are now designed to make the air coming out become clean enough to make sure the machine lasts a long time. This is further enhanced with the gas tank now lower and covered by the roll over protection system.

Even the driver’s room has been cleared and stripped down to its basics which gives the driver enough space to move around. It is, however, not too big to make it difficult for the driver to reach for anything from either side. The foot pedal is easier to arrange with the adjustable seat so height is not an issue.

One of the other things that you must check is the ease of detaching and attaching other equipment. There is an AutoConnect mid-mount mower deck which allows the driver to operate it by just clicking a couple of buttons.

For all other concerns, go grab the John Deere manuals and they are sure to cover all issues and all questions you might have about their tractors. Just remember that before buying any tractor, do extensive research and don’t forget to ask for a test drive.

]]> http://www.tractor-supply-store.com/guides/john-deere-tractors/feed/ 0 http://www.tractor-supply-store.com/guides/looking-at-kubota-tractor-parts/ http://www.tractor-supply-store.com/guides/looking-at-kubota-tractor-parts/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:23:44 +0000 admin http://www.tractor-supply-store.com/guides/?p=78 Kubota is one of those brands people in the country or people who ever had to regularly cut grass grew up with. I’ve had a lot of good personal experience with Kubota and even more friends and neighbors gleaning over the efficiency of the product. So when it was time for me to buy my first tractor, there really was no other brand in mind. It was an automatic choice.

A friend recommended the Kubota Sub-Compact Tractor BX1500 for its performance and outstanding Kubota parts. It is technically classified as sub-compact primarily because of its size. It is 75″ in length 45.1″ in width and 69.5” in height and is a little over a thousand two hundred pounds in weight. It is petite but after four months of use, it has been able to do anything its bigger brothers are able to do. It is, in all the ways that matter, a real tractor.

For a machine expected to go through the roughest terrains, these Kubota parts are fairly smooth to steer because of two things. One, it is equipped with power steering but this is jacked up with the big rear tires and front tries, I24x12.00-12 and 16×7-8 respectively. That brings me to the second factor. Those sizes add to a total turning radius of 7.15 feet. That makes manoeuvring easy and painless.

This is one of the more modern Kubota tractors as evidenced by Kubota tractor parts installed that is consistent with modern safety features such as seatbelts and the out of seat monitor. This means that it will automatically shut off the moment you stand up from your seat and leave it on gear. This prevents accidents from happening. If you leave it on neutral and get off your seat, it will not shut off automatically.

As for the Kubota parts engine, it uses a 2-cylinder diesel engine which makes it more cost efficient in terms of fuel expenses. It has 15 horsepower. If you fill up the tank which is about 4.5 gallons, you can run continuously for eight hours and it should carry you through. The basics are there like temperature gauge, fuel warning and warning light just in case you forget to do your regular engine check-up.

What makes this tractor powerful, however, is the hydraulic hitch with three points and the PTO. It can get up to 1,210 pounds at the lift points or 680 pounds 24″ at the back of the hitch areas. The hydraulic pump works for 5.5 gallons/minute for a maximum rotation of 540 RPM at the rear. However, the Kubota has made a name of itself though its mid PTO. This one can go as fast as 2500 RPM. This is one of the things you need to check when you are buying a Kubota. The mid PTO and the rear PTO may be used simultaneously.

There are separate breaks. There is the parking break which doubles as the wet disc break and then there’s the rear axle break.

Unlike modern tractors, Allis Chalmers were made with narrow front axle specifications. It is supported by a fork, the shape is similar to the fork of a bicycle, it also has a wheel shaft on the two edges. On the other hand, the double wheel has an upside down half cross that holds the two wheels.

True to their time, Allis Chalmers tractors have four gears and manual transmission, and running it will make you feel its power with its vibration and humming, all of its 36 hp. This was an extremely powerful machine during that time. This is one of the innovations that Allis Chalmers tractor parts introduced to the market and the innovation that made them one of the most successful companies of all time.

The manual transmission, along with the simplicity of the overall design of their tractors is also the reason for its durability. It is stripped down to its basic functions and there are less complications. It has no complex hydraulic setups. It only has a bare steering pump. It serves the double purpose of pushing the PTO. That’s why there are some Allis Chalmers that still run to this day.

The electrical was manufactured with 6v but many owners converted them to 12v. Oddly enough, there are more Allis Chalmers parts available parts for 12v than 6v.

The difficult thing about buying parts for Allis Chalmers is that the company stopped operations just last decade. All the Allis Chalmers parts you will find are not manufactured by the company anymore. The one thing you need to be careful with when checking out an Allis Chalmers tractor is the cooling system. It’s pretty hard to tell which one is original and which one is a replacement because every model carries a different model of water pump, radiator hoses and others. The best tip I can give you is get the serial number of the tractor and check the what model of cooling system part that is supposed to go with it. The same thing goes with the mufflers. There are at least different kinds and it all depends on the model. Again, just check out the serial number and check what muffler part goes with it.

It’s easier with the Allis Chalmers tractor parts engine overhaul kits and engine parts for D17 There are only two kinds; a 226 Gas or 262 Diesel engine.

The last, and perhaps, most important tip I can give you before you buy an Allis Chalmers tractor for sale is to test drive it and don’t just drive it around the block or move it forward for a minute. Make sure that you try all functions and parts. If you don’t know what you are looking at, bring an expert.

• The 9N has 4 cylinders and has three point hitch system that is meant for small farms. This is one of the most reinvented tractor models
• The 2N was made during the war era, so the wheels were made of steel. Another unique characteristic is the pressurized radiator and headlights that are sealed
• The 8N is the younger version of 2N and is the top selling tractor of the N series

Unfortunately, no one manufactures them anymore, but those who bought one attest they are still using it to this day. The 9N has a Model A engine. This is one of the most powerful engines during its time. It had 20 hp.

If you are one of those looking 9N Ford Tractor parts for use or for collection, read below and you will find some helpful information.

All 8N Ford tractors and 8n Ford tractor parts were manufactured in Michigan, USA. That’s the first thing you need to check when you are buying 8N Ford Tractor parts especially because less than a million tractors were ever made. Given that this brand is already considered a classic and is being collected, it is not far-fetched to find some 8n Ford tractor parts that are fakes.

Another way to spot a fake is by checking its fuel tank. It usually has a 10-gallon capacity. Check the fuel system parts, and it should be Marvel Schebler Carburetor. Any other part, and it’s a replacement or a fake. While we are on that subject, there are only two kinds that were manufactured, one uses gas and the other uses distillate. The first generation though, is the one that uses gas. It also has the capacity of five gallons of universal fluid.

8N Ford Tractor used the 6V system. If you find a 12V system, it means it was converted. The purists shy away from converted machines. Every tractor or vehicle of the matter were engineered and designed for a certain capacity and altering any detail can also change its performance.

Another thing that is unique about this brand is the use of a generator when it charges. Other cars and tractors use alternators. If you find one that uses an alternator, that has been converted, and you must be more careful in checking the engine for any damage the conversion cause.

If you do find Ford tractors for sale that you want to buy, here is a tip that came from 8n ford tractors themselves. You can maximize the performance of your engine by taking out the condenser. Get an electronic module and replace the condenser. That will serve as the rotor but better.

Size Matters. Next to your budget, know the size of your property and estimate your acreage with full consideration to the number of trees and shrubs you have. Wood chippers for sale should indicate what size branch they can grind and favor the one that can accommodate your largest logs. Also check the hopper. The larger the hopper, the quicker you can feed bulky branches. Large wheels also makes manoeuvring easy.

Go for Steel. When considering wood chippers for sale, look for ones that are fabricated of heavy-gauge steel and has hardened-steel cutting blade because that will give your chipper the power to last for years on end.

Electric Model for Light Load. If you are going shred leaves and tiny twigs that clutter your lawn, you may actually find an electric shredder or chipper. They are affordable and lightweight; usually less than 100lbs. You wouldn’t want anything lighter, as that would be unsteady. The only downside is that you will be limited to within 100 feet of an outlet. As a rule of thumb, a 1.5 horsepower engine is good for branches with a maximum size of 2 1/2 inches.  Price ranges between $250 for brands like McCulloch to $2,000 for brands like Patriot.

To Clutch or not to Clutch. You will probably find wood chippers for sale with clutch, and this is something worth considering if you can afford it, because the machine is quieter so if you live or operate in a neighbourhood or town that prohibits loud noises (yes there are cities that prohibit loud noises), then this is probably a good feature for you. A clutch also serves as your control in shifting between loads. You can gear down for heavy loads and gear up for lighter loads. Further, the gear will take off the flails and blades for safety and cleaning when you are not using it.

Extra Feature to Look For. Here are some more details you may want to look into before buying new or used wood chippers:

• If you chip a lot, look for flails or hammers. The more hammers or flails the better (though more expensive). Eight to 10 flails would have faster and better cutting system.
• You might also find a chipper with interchangeable screens so you can control the quality of the chip that comes out of the machine.

Safety First. A wood chipper is a dangerous machine, and you need extra care when buying used wood chippers. Accidents happen, so before purchasing it, check what kind of safety features it has. Be willing to pay extra if it will make your chipping safer, like removable blades. Never use it for anything other than the approved function, always wear your goggles, and shut it down the minute you hear loud and unusual noises from the machine.

… And Then There Was Oliver

James Oliver cooled the cast iron of his very first plow by dipping it into water. It was 1870, and he was about to sell his first product. Oliver tractor parts were always of top quality, and construction was personally supervised by James Oliver. In that same year, the famous Oliver logo was designed. When he died in 1908, Joseph Oliver took over. He pushed the company forward with his excellent marketing and sales skills.

Meanwhile, three other companies were going down: the American Seeding Machine Company, the Nichols and the Shepard Company. They had no expertise to update the tractors that were fast becoming obsolete. The three companies approached Joseph Oliver for a partnership. It turned out to be the biggest move to affect the company. They formed the Oliver Farm Equipment Corporation that eventually became Oliver Corporation. They continued selling tractors and Oliver tractor parts. Through the direct management of Joseph Oliver, the company introduced innovations such as diesel engines.

White Motor Corporation entered the picture November of 1960. White acquired Oliver Corporation along with Cockshutt Farm Equipment of Canada in February.

By 1969, White Motor Corporation transitioned to become White Farm Equipment Company. They started releasing models using different brand names, Oliver, Cockshutt and Minneapolis. The models were usually identical, and the only difference would be the colours.

Much later, White’s brand name slowly became more prominent until Oliver was used for the last time with the Oliver 2255. White Farm Equipment Company went bankrupt in 1985.

… the Oliver Engine

One of the best models Oliver rolled to the market was the Oliver XO-121 which came out in 1954. If you find Oliver tractor for sale in the market of this model, grab hold of it. This model was efficient in all aspects of operation. This is one of the first Oliver tractors with gas engine. They used Hercules Diesel block with four cylinders. They made new cylinders that would complement the power of the diesel block which allowed for a ratio of 12-to-1 compression ratio. The model also had 199 cubic inch displacement and the gas was also a new kind made by Ethyl Corporation. Almost every part was customized for this model which allowed for 35 percent fuel efficiency. The design was ahead of its time when it was released, it is still ahead of our current time. One is on display at the Floyd County Historical Museum in Charles City, Iowa.

Oliver 1800 is another model you should get when you find one. To this day, it still holds the record for most horsepower per gallon of gasoline with 13.18. One is on display at the Living History Farms, Iowa.

Many Oliver tractors and Oliver tractor parts are now being acquired by collectors. There is an entire industry devoted to the buying and selling of Oliver tractors. Rarely would you ever see on still being used for farming but the specifications and the quality make most Olivers today is still useful.