Looking for info

I am looking at a Krause 1118 Disc and am curious if anyone has any specs on it? Thanks.

Looking for info

Replacing power steering hoses on 2004 rtv 900

Hi all need some help. My power steering hoses on my 04 rtv 900 are leaking and need to be replaced so I ordered new ones from dealer and one is wrong. In the meantime my farm "mechanic" starting attempting to take off the old ones and said he needed to remove the hard top and the dash. I do not think he needs to do that and he says he cannot remove the dash panel, cant figure out how to do that. Any suggestions on replacing the power steering hoses easily?
Thanks for any input

Replacing power steering hoses on 2004 rtv 900

Weak stiff lamb

I have a lamb that was born a week ago tomorrow and we ended up bringing it in the house to be bottle fed because the mom didn't take care of it at all and it was starting to get really lethargic. It's really stiff when it walks and it seems to have a hard time getting up off its front legs. Kneels when it tries to stand up for a long time and arches its back like it's constipated but we have noticed it poop... any ideas?

Weak stiff lamb

New holland 650 idler gear

I need to replace the bottom idler gear on my 650. Can this be done in the Baler without disassembling the the rolls and other sledge gears? Thanks

New holland 650 idler gear

Round bale twine

What brand of round baler twine is working well for you all. In particular solar degradable twine! I have been using TSC twine with ok results until I get to the last little bit on the spool. Last year the last bale or two of twine would ball up and not feed, very frustrating. What brand and were is the best price for a half pallet?

Round bale twine

NH488 haybine main drive belt

So, not a new topic. In fact I have gotten very detailed instructions from this site on how to replace the main drive belt. But I am having a real wrestling match trying to get the gearbox far enough away from the haybine in order to get the belt removed from the top pulley, over the gearbox and away from the machine. Any suggestions on how to get enough clearance to get the belt out?

NH488 haybine main drive belt

Hardtop coming soon.

I had wanted to work on the top the past few days as I thought I'd have an easy week but the opposite was true. You must spray pastures when the wind is good.
My plan is to make a top similar to the homemade console I make for the RTV several years ago. For the price of a sheet of 3/4 plywood, fiberglass resin and black bedliner paint, I can have a roof that I can stand on . This will get me by till I can get something better lined up.
After that is accomplished. maybe I'll add a console with radio and small speakers. Will have to see about that though.... there is already quite a few blank knock outs on the dash for switches ...
Much to think about. collie

Hardtop coming soon.

best herbicide to seed after

I am hoping to spray a hayfield with a lot of winter annuals- (chickweed, buckhorn plantain, dock) and overseed this spring in a fescue/clover blend.  What is the safest burndown to use? 

best herbicide to seed after

APV air seeder

Has anyone any experience with an air seeder. We have a kverneland qaulidisc that I would mount it on. I know they are mostly used for cover crops, but was wondering if anyone has used one for orchard grass or alfalfa?

APV air seeder

Thistle and milkweed

I've been having 2-4D and Banvel custom applied on grass fields. That combination doesn't kill thistle and milkweed. Any suggestions for alternatives that don't have a residual wait period? Hay sold for horses and don't have storage to go through a waiting period. I'm in upstate New York. Thanks

Thistle and milkweed

Twine and fertilizer

Going to double down on the questions in this post. 

 

1) What are you using for round bale twine, solar degradable is my primary concern. Last year the local TSC twine would knot up at the end of each ball, very frustrating! Who/where is best place to buy?

 

2) I want to increase ton/acre on some rented grass hay land, Had soil test done a year ago and local fertilizer shop wanted to put down a special mix at a very special high cost.  I hear of people just broadcasting Urea on grass. Any recommendations on how to keep cost down but increase tonnage?

 

 

Twine and fertilizer

Vermeer 504 Super I Bale Density Charge

I took my 504 over to my local Vermeer dealer to recharge the bale density. We disconnected the cylinders, hooked the hoses to a tractor, and fully stroked the cylinders in and out 12 times. We found that a JIC fitting on one of the cylinders was loose so I assume that was the cause of the system charge getting low. We reconnected the cylinders and cycled the tailgate and pressure rise was seen at the gauge and I could adjust the pressure fine. The two cylinders length are adjusted so that they begin to move at the same time when the gate opens.  

When the tailgate is lowered, the cylinder on the gauge side does not fully retract by about a inch. The other side does. The service man said he thinks it is the piston seals on the cylinder. My question is whether this is important? There is 0 pressure on the gauge when the gate is down.

Should I go ahead and pull the cylinder and replace the seals or try it like it is for the first cutting? Lastly, any suggestions on how much pressure I should look for at the gauge? I bale an orchard grass/fescue/clover/timothy mix. Second and third cuttings have Johnson grass.

Thanks for any help.

Vermeer 504 Super I Bale Density Charge

Bale Baron custom rate

What’s the going rate for running a Bale Baron on someone’s field? There’s a possibility of packaging bales for someone while being stationary also. Just feeding it right off a wagon.
I haven’t put pen to paper yet. Thought I would ask the seasoned vets on HT first.

Bale Baron custom rate

Bale Baron custom rates

What’s the going rate for running the Bale Baron for someone? If I were to either go pick up at their field or if they pull it off a wagon and I’m stationary just to package the bales.

Bale Baron custom rates

m&w 4500

we have an m&w 4500 baler and ive never used it because its my grandpas but he died 4 years ago and we decided im gonna do the hay next year (my grandma has been leasing it out). i started looking at the baler and i saw that the twine was hanging. i dont really know where it goes because ive never worked on it. and if i remember correctly the baler wasn't tying correctly. also on the plug that goes to the switch panel in the tractor, the wires came out of the plug. it looks like you just unscrew some screws in the plug and put them back in but idk where each wire needs to go in the plug. i can put a picture in here tomorrow if that'll help. is there like a manual or diagram i can find somewhere or online that would show that? and one more thing, how do you know when the baler is full? very very very sorry for all the questions. im only 15 and i used to ride with my grandpa when he was baling but i was so young i really dont remember what all he was doing. i was just along for the ride haha. if someone could answer even 1 of my questions i would greatly appreciate it! thanks!

m&w 4500

What size tractor do you use for square bale accumulator?

I am using a JD5525 for a 10 bale accumulator on the front end loader. I was considering a smaller tractor with HST transmission and the JD salesman said the Front End Loader on their 4000 series would not take the stress. Per load capacity should be fine for the accumulator and hay should be about about 70% of it's capacity, I do realize the load extends out a good ways. Tested little lighter accumulator for same number of bales loaded on a NH tractor of similar size as the JD 4000 series and it performed very well. 

 

So make me wonder what size of tractor others are using successful. 

What size tractor do you use for square bale accumulator?

ls185 b seat belt light problem

My LS185b seat belt light will not go off.  I tested for 12 V coming into the seat wiring harness behind the seat and my voltmeter flashes between 12V and other numbers never showing a solid, consistent 12 V reading.  The instrument panel lights do not come on when I sit down with the key in the off position, I have replaced a seat belt switch and lap belt, I checked the relays and the 5 amp fuse in the engine compartment and they tested good.... I am wondering what my next step should be and why I dont get a solid 12V reading at the square shaped connector where the seat belt wiring harness plugs into the line coming from the engine compartment...?

ls185 b seat belt light problem

Oat/peas baleage

Missed my opportunity last year to get my stand of feacue/clover/rye planted in the fall. So my next option is to spring seed it into 30 acre field that was sorghum Sudan last year.

I was thinking if putting in an oat/pea mixture for a decent first cut for baleage and help the the grass get started.

Good/bad/ideas?

Thanks

Oat/peas baleage

Baler monitor mount question

In the picture, you see the indentation and the slot in B pillar? I wondered if this was a baler monitor Mount built into the tractor?
Its a Massey 7495.
If it is, do you know where you can get the baler monitor mount that fits in the slot?

anyone know the part number? My parts guys dont know. 
Thanks!

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Baler monitor mount question

10,000 hour IVT

Looking at a 20 series Deere with an IVT trans.  It would make an awesome mowing and baling tractor for me.  The hour meter is currently showing 24.9 hours.  I suspect it could have 10,024,9 hours on it, but the tractor doesn't really show it.  Auction catalog lists it as 'Engine hours not showing correctly'.  Per selling dealer, the trans slips in low gear, then gets traction.  It's a gamble all around, but if it sells right...  Has anyone had an IVT with high hours?  Issues/concerns?

10,000 hour IVT

Hayfields and Compaction from Heavier Tractors

You folks with 10,000 lb plus tractors, do you have any compaction in your hayfields? If you are like me, you’re probably mowing, tedding, raking and baling over the same tracks you previously laid down, over and over - year after year.

Do your heavier, 10,000 plus, tractors cause any compaction, damage and/or reduction in yield?

Not like you can slip on the moldboard plow and loosen everything up each fall with an established hayfield.

Compaction an issue? How do you resolve it?

Thanks!
Bill

Hayfields and Compaction from Heavier Tractors

When to sell?

I am debating on selling my baler or keeping it and continue working on it to keep it running.  I am curious to know if balers sell better during season or before the season starts?

When to sell?

What Grass to Plant In New Hayfield?

We are in Alabama. A good friend and neighbor just bought some property and 40 acres have been in corn/beans for years. He asked my opinion on what to plant. He would really like to get some hay production this year.

Normally I would suggest Bermuda. I have had trouble with army worms and Bermuda Stem Maggots with my newer Bermuda field and I am leaning towards recommending Tifton 9 Bahia.

The problem with Bahia is it is a hard seed and takes two years to really establish. Usually three years before you get a really good yield.

I asked an Extension Agent about planting Bahia with Millet, giving the Bahia time to germinate while getting a stand of millet for hay. He did not like the idea due to the millet suppressing the Bahia.

Since he wants to grow hay now, and give up his smaller free lease fields, I think it might be better to plant Pearl Millet soon and drill ryegrass this fall. That would solve immediate needs but would put him another year behind in getting a permanent grass.

Any thoughts?

 

Also, the beans were not harvested this year and there is a good stand. If he cut them close with a batwing, would any beans come up? Would not mind some beans in with the hay this year.

What Grass to Plant In New Hayfield?

Booking Hay 2019

Got my earliest call ever to book new crop hay.

 

"When you are baling get ahold of me and I'll lay it in for the winter.I don't expect you to price it then at summer lows but I want it here"

 

He is a hand to mouth guy usually and I ran out this winter,he doesn't want that happening again!

Booking Hay 2019

Custom rates 2019

https://hayandforage.com/article-2409-Our-annual-look-at-farm-custom-rates.html

Custom rates 2019

Ruts in Virgin Pasture from Land application of Oil Based Mud

I have a 80 acre virgin pasture in Central Oklahoma.  It still has the Buffalo Wallows in it.  An oil well was drilled on another pasture (mine) and I allowed the land application of the drillign mud.  I had experienced this with water based mud on some farm ground a few years ago and it was not a bad situation.  I had to disk some land several times to break up the mud, but the next year the yields were much better than historically.  

 

This field now has ruts nearly 1ft deep from the spreader truck and driving it over wet ground.  Tilling the field and smoothing it up is not practical as it is an 8 to 10% slope on this hillside.  Erosion would be terrible. We now experience monsoon rains instead of just an inch or two in a few hours.  I don't know what is cousing that, but I have had to resow several fields over the past 3 years.  How can we get the ruts out of the field?  I am looking at getting a scraper and bringing material in to fill the ruts smooth it with  a soil mover and then over seed with oats.  I ned to do something quick...

 

If I had known this company was going to do such a sloppy job I would have had my attorney look at the contract and modify it.  Their employees stole us blind including stealing our windmill and several pieces of antique horsedrawn farm equipment...

Ruts in Virgin Pasture from Land application of Oil Based Mud

Mahindra Roxor Forum now OPEN

Our Super Gold Member Collie aka BorderCollie now has a Mahindra Roxor in her stable. This forum is for all of us to learn about this new kewl looking side by side. I'm sure Collie will let us know the good along with the bad of this neat looking machine.

Mahindra Roxor Forum now OPEN

Valbazen for bred ewes

I have some ewes due any day now and want to know if valbazen is safe to use? I read not to use for the first 30 days but I don't want to cause any problems. Is anyone familiar with this? Also what is your worming and vaccination schedule?

Valbazen for bred ewes

Hesston 4755

Looking into my first big baler. What kind of life expectancy does this baler have? It’s got around 35k bales on it. Looking at the chains & sprockets & they look great.

Hesston 4755

Alfalfa Survival

A complicated subject. Hope y’all can see it.

https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/8639-alfalfa-winter-survival---a-complicated-subject

Alfalfa Survival

Help with part id

Guys, great forum you got here! Needing some help identifying this valve/part on my 1120d. It’s located on the passenger side of the transmission, just above the oil filters and directly below the temp sensor. It’s leaking pretty good. Thanks for the help in advance!

Brandon

Attached Images

DCC18460-AD6F-44D1-8567-95C6C478E156.jpeg (126.3 KB)

Help with part id

Anderson round bale wagons

Do any of you hay guys use a pull type round bale wagon w side loading arm?my son is thinking about buying one to add to his custom bale wrapping business.theres Anderson ,farm king and a few others.just wanted your input. Thanks Mf5612

Anderson round bale wagons

Mow or leave alone... alfalfa/OG mix

I put in a mix Alfalfa/OG pasture fall before last. We had such a wet winter/spring that it took almost until the end of summer to actually seem to establish. I had about 12-14" alfalfa at the end of the year and decided to just leave it alone. 

Now, it has died back and the OG is visible, but under the old dead alfalfa stems which still stick out above it. Since I've never had a mix like this before, I'm not sure what the best thing to do at this time would be?

Do I simply leave it alone and cut it as usual, when the time comes for 1st cutting, leaving the dead stems in the mix along with everything else? 

Or do I go in, raise my mower above the OG, and cut off the straggler stems of the alfalfa?

 

 

 

 

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Mow or leave alone... alfalfa/OG mix

New holland 660 bale sizer not working properly

I have 660 roller that we have owned since new in 1995. Starting last year I have been having problems getting a proper bale size. When I first start baling for the day it seems to work great but after a couple bales the bale command will start counting almost as soon as the tail gate shuts. Starting off at 30 all the way up to 66-70 for a full bale even if there is only a core in the bale chamber. While I am baling I have been putting the system in manual mode instead of auto and just keep an eye on the expansion cylinders to guess on the bale size. While I am baling I can shut the pto off and the bale command will display the proper size, once I re engage the pto the bale size will start climbing again. I have had newholland look at it twice. First Time they sent my baler computer off to be repaired and the second time they replace the potentiometer.

New holland 660 bale sizer not working properly

Timing NH 575 Square Baler - needles/plunger

I have a couple of these balers and I've been doing some preseason service and checks. So i replaced the front chain by the fly wheel. Unfortunating i didn't check how it was exactly set timing wise before i changed the chain. I turned the baler over to a position where i could remove the master link on that chain. I locked the flywheel/plunger and the shaft running to the back so they couldn't move. I then changed the chain. I ran it through a cycle and noted plunger timing and it was pretty close I felt like 3/4 - 1" But i noticed the 2 knotter hub marks didn't line up and I made sure the needles were in the home position. The marks were out say 3/4" so i readjusted the change so it was timed the way the manual stated. Lining up those marks on the 2 knotter hubs. Then i ran it through the knotter cycle watching the plunger to needle timing and noticed that now the plunger as advaced like 1 3/4" past the needle tips as they come up through the floor slots. This baler always has tied excellent and i've had it since new in 2006.

So i checked my other 575 and its needle to plunger timing is about the same close to 1 3/4" to 2" past the needle tips. However this baler is finicky it never has tied as good as my 1st one.. I works but in tough springy hay type conditions it likes to pull the twine out of the need eye. I have fooled with it many times regarding this trying the suggested ideas in the pinned post.

How critical it is to have those 2 marks on the knotter hub line up? Books says with in a 1/4".  Or is it more important to get the needle to plunger timing right on and not worry as much about those marks on the hubs?

Today i drove to a dealer and looked at 4 new NH 5070's on the lot. Well all 4 the needle to plunger timing was a different. 1 was around a 1 1/4" the other 3 were like 2" and none of the knotter hubs linned up perfect. I asked the service personal and they said they don't adjust the needle to plunger timing. They just run it through a knotter cycle making sure it ties and other pdi checks.

So i'm wondering how exact that timing needs to be as I don't want to be fooling around resetting things during the start of haying season. Manual says 1/4" to 3/4".

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Timing NH 575 Square Baler - needles/plunger

JD 1590 drill, 2pt versus dolley wheel

We are looking to upgrade our well worn great Plains no till drill. There is a nice 1590 coming up at an auction. It has the 2pt hitch. Was looking for opinions on the 2pt hitch versus the dolley wheel style. I always thought I would prefer the dolley, but this looks like a nice drill. Any thoughts or experiences?

JD 1590 drill, 2pt versus dolley wheel

Kuhn 700 gmd gii hd cutter

Just purchased a used cutter that’s in pretty good condition. Where do you check the cutter bar oil on these cutters?

Kuhn 700 gmd gii hd cutter

Looking at a NH BR740...

So, it's early spring... which means auction season!

 

I'm looking at a BR740 silage special that's going to be in an auction in just over a week and one of the things I knew to look for (thanks to searching previous posts on here) was the sledge rolls.  They don't seem to have too much backlash in the gears, but I did notice that the top roller looks like it has been banged around a little.  It has several flat spots and dents and I'm wondering what would have caused this and if it will be a problem or not?  The other rollers don't seem to have the same damage.

 

 

Other than this, the baler looks in pretty good shape (for a used baler).  From what I can see it falls into the category of 'used, but not abused' and does have some nice options including the wide pickup, hydraulic pickup lift, twine and netwrap as well as the bale-slice option (not the crop-cutter).  I don't know if I'd use the bale slice option or not, but if the price is right, I don't know as I'd care.  It does look like it had an applicator system on it, but that has been removed.  I need to check with the dealer to find out what type of monitor it has.  They keep things like that locked inside... keeps them from getting 'lost'.

 

Thanks in advance for your help, Josh

Looking at a NH BR740...

NH499 PTO Pump Specs

Hello All,

Wondering if anybody has the hydraulic specs for the PTO pump on a New Holland 499 haybine?  Apparently the replacement from NH is $3500cdn, and a refurb is $2500cdn. I can source a different PTO pump for much less $$$, just need the pressure and flow specs of the stock unit.  Thanks in advance!!!!

NH499 PTO Pump Specs

Sheep Cheese

Watching a show on SC ETV  called Taste Makers. Their show is very interesting as it is about a farm in Missouri called "Green Dirt Farm". They make Sheep Cheese. Very interesting. Good varied organization. Not many years old.  Might be an viable option to those cow dairies looking for profit options. They have from sheep for cheese and vineyards for wine. A neat operation. Many of the workers are ladies. Would say the size of sheep helps with that over the size of cows. Think it was said over 90% of sheep cheese in the US is imported from Europe. Also was said the US milk sheep do not produce as much milk as I understood the European sheep do. To me would be a good visit on vacation.

 

https://greendirtfarm.com/

 

well found the show, use this link and look for green hill farm on the list on the left side of the page.

 

 https://www.watchtastemakers.com/

 

 

Think you will enjoy but, more so hope it helps some find an insight to improve their business and income. 

Sheep Cheese

Alfalfa Standard Crop Share Lease Duration/Terms

Hi,

Need help in determining what is standard for new crop share alfalfa lease terms....How many years is standard?

Thank You

Alfalfa Standard Crop Share Lease Duration/Terms

Greenway 360D

Hello all, new to the forum.

 

Has anyone grown Greenway 360D alfalfa before? Have a couple hundred acres of dryland (total annual precipitation <10") that we might be interested in trying it on, but $4.10 per pound is a little steep unless it actually does as advertised and produces "80% yield on 50% water".

 

Is there merit to this alfalfa or is just smoke and mirrors?

Greenway 360D

JD 4840 work with Bale Baron

My hopes are to have our JD 4840 run our new 4240P Bale Baron. I installed a power beyond kit on the left scv’s bank. I have 5/8” hose connected to 3/4” couplers.
I tried tapping into the right side scv’s 1/2” feed line to a flow through coupler. I also installed a high pressure shutoff before that coupler. The problem with the 1/2” supply is the return to the tractor. JD mechanic told me I must put the return to the left bank scv’s. If not then I will starve the pump for fluid and burn it up. Only problem with that is the only inlets are 3/8”. So in typical hydraulic connections the supply being 1/2” then the return should be 1/2” or much larger like 3/4”. So choking it down to 3/8” makes me think that won’t work at all.

The 4840 hydraulic pump is rated at 23gpm.
The BB needs a minimum of 20gpm to run. 30gpm to run at its peak performance.

We have washed the hydraulic radiator/AC condenser very thoroughly. Raked the fins to straighten the smashed spots. Just changed the hydraulic fluid and both filters and cleaned the screen.

My main question is, will the 4840 run the BB hooked to the power beyond?
Will I run into heat issues with the 5/8” hose?
Should I use the 1/2” tap and just dump it back into the 3/8” port?

What about the load sense coming from the BB? There’s no load sense technology on the 4840. I have been told two different things so far. Unhook it and plug it. The other is put it into the side port of the power beyond.

We don’t get delivery of the BB until mid May. So I won’t have much time to experiment.

Thank you for the help!!

JD 4840 work with Bale Baron

Youtube on RTV power increase

Another short video on improving power on the rtv.
Decide for yourself but interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz6Rb9wBwf8

Youtube on RTV power increase

Stuck Transmission shift fork solution !!!!

I just found this utube on the shifting forks !!!!! GOOD VIDEO !!!!!! put in sticky section please !!! basically a quick fix !!!! YaaaaaaaaaaY !!!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_co...&v=GVUM227io8Y

bordercollie

Stuck Transmission shift fork solution !!!!

Cleaning up my bermuda pasture

Hello all-

 

I'm new here to this site as of a few minutes ago. I've tried to clean up my pastures for several years, trying to get them to pure bermuda. It's common bermuda and I've controlled the broadleaf weeds successfully, but I've been invaded by vaseygrass, nut grass, and some other summer grasses. The vaseygrass is the hardest to get rid of. I'm looking for a spraying program that works. Through the last 20+ years I've sprayed pastora and a variety of others with not much luck other than to knock the bermuda down. I'm in Georgia just south of Atlanta - so good region for bermuda. Ph is good, soil is good, just need to establish a thick bermuda stand. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

Cleaning up my bermuda pasture

Oats Hay Curing Time?

Got a call from a neighbor who asked me to cut, rake and bale about 20 acres. I have a Kuhn disc cutter but it doesn’t have a conditioner (our place is coastal Bermuda so it’s not really required).

Question is how long will it take for oats to dry down without being run through a conditioner? Forecast for when he wants to cut calls for highs in the upper 70’s to lower 80’s and some but not a lot of sunshine.

Thanks,
Chris

Oats Hay Curing Time?

Sprigging bermudagrass

In the past, some of you have wondered about the bermudagrass sprigging process (as have I). Being from Idaho, it's not a familiar concept for me, either. I had a gentleman allow me to come and interview him abotu the process. It may shed some light for those of you who aren't familiar with this process.

 

(Honest, this isn't self-promotion of our magazine ... just thought some of you would like to see what's involved.)

 

Lynn

 

https://www.progressiveforage.com/forage-production/producer-features/the-texas-twist-sprigs-hay-and-custom-work

Sprigging bermudagrass

sickle bar mower

I bought a sickle bar mower today. It doesn't have a company tag on it? How can I tell the maker so I can buy parts for it? It needs a Putnam arm. I is red, but am not sure if it's NH or Massey?

 

sickle bar mower

When to burn Bermuda field

Due to wet weather and more rain coming, I sprayed my Bermuda field with glyphosate 3 weeks ago even though it was still pretty cool temps. Because of the cool temps the burn down did not work perfect. So I sprayed again this Friday. What is the earliest you would burn the field. Also the Bermuda really started to green up today. Night time temps this coming week are to be in the 30s and 40s. What are y’alls thoughts ?

When to burn Bermuda field

Netwrap

Hey guys. I've tried searching the web but am not having any luck. I'm wondering if there is a rule of thumb on new rolls of net of a "best if used by date". If stored inside in a dry place will the rolls of net fail? I don't bale a huge amount but if I can buy a few rolls at once and put into the shop will it be good in a couple years or will it get weak and break while applying?

Netwrap

Solar Fence Charger

Honest opinion . Best solar fence charger to be used on 10 acre , 2 wire , hard wire , pastures . Looking for the knock back power . Not just a pinch when the calves touch it .

Solar Fence Charger

Opinions on 10 Wheel V-Rakes

 

I went rake shopping today after checking them out at the NFMS last month. After getting some numbers, I came away impressed with three different ones:

1. Bush Hog XLRR1022

2. New Holland Procart 1022

3. Sitrex QR10

 

All three are 10 wheel independent suspension-wheel rakes with single kickers, the ability to lock out one side, and the ability to pick up the front wheel when in heavy material and essentially turn it into a 8 wheel rake.  On the bush hog, price is just under $7k & they have 0% financing for four years. NH is about $500 more, but also has the same financing plan.  Sitrex is about $200 less than the BH, but they don't have any finance specials.  Has anyone had any experience with these makes?  

 

Whatever I go with, I'm sure it will be faster than my old JD 672 bar rake. It still works just fine & I plan to keep it as a backup and use it on some possible alfalfa ground in the future. But raking is the slowest part of my hay process right now & I need to speed it up. I tend to like the "medium duty" class of equipment and it looks like each of these would be a good match for my current balers (NH 644 round baler & CaseIH SB541 square baler). 

 

Thanks,

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

Opinions on 10 Wheel V-Rakes

This qualifies as a pest

This is the second coyote I have killed at my pond. Both times they had a deer trapped in the pond . Once the deer is in the pond they keep going around the pond to keep the deer from escaping. The coyotes are so fixed on the deer they don’t even notice me leaving the house and going to the shop to get a rifle. Easy pickings then at about 75 yards. The deer look relieved when the coyote is dead.

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This qualifies as a pest

Check your Flooorboard !

I was doing maintenance on the 2012 Kubota RTV 900xt and decided I'd better check under the floor mat and found much rust. I also found a triangular center panel held in place by 3 Phillips head bolts. I thought for sure these bolts would be rusted to the bolt holes and break off but no :) they came right out.
Using a big screwdriver, I tapped harshly and then used a ratcheting end wrench on the shoulders of the Kobalt screwdriver (nice feature) . Each one broke loose like a piece of candy. After removing the triangular panel, I could see the driveshaft clearly too . This will be very handy if I need to replace that dastardly thing. I will keep ya'll informed but plan is ti remove as much rust as possible , use a rust converter and then bedliner on it. I may get a piece of rubber as the old one is rather worn. will just see. bordercollie

Check your Flooorboard !

Presevative Hose

I am building a hay preservative applicator.  Most of the applicators I see on the web have clear tubing.  Is there any reason I cant use the black hose I use on my sprayer?  I have plenty of it around but I don't have clear.   

Presevative Hose

RTV900 Bed Crane

The RTV900 has proven itself on my property by hauling logs over rough/steep terrain. It would be ideal if I could skid tree debris to the chipper feed table.

Would this be stretching the limits? Mounted in the corner at the front or back of the bed?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...2540_200672540

RTV900 Bed Crane

Rtv 900 drive issue

Hi to everyone, i am new to the forum and reside in the UK.
Sorry to make my first post a plea for help but i am running out of ideas.
I have a 2008 rtv 900 that i purchased with major problems. So far i have replaced the engine crankshaft and all bearings, conrods, and input shaft flange. On the transmission have replaced the input shaft , swash plate valves, oil (super udt) and all filters (genuine).
Thought i was sorted but no !
The machine will only top out at 15mph and will not climb the slightest incline in H. I know these are not fast but something is not right.
Have checked all linkages for adjustment and free movement and all is fine. Checked brakes for binding , all fine. Engine is good now after rebuild. Removed spark arrestor.
Charge pressure is 95 psi, forward relief valve pressure is 3600, reverse relief valve pressure is 3600 .
I anyone has any ideas what to look at next i would be very appreciative as i am now stumped.

Rtv 900 drive issue

Overzealous Cow

Starting off Spring calving with beautiful weather and my mud is slowly dehydrating. Heifer just had her first calf and he is a nice little bull with some heft. I was watching them for a bit and then she went to licking his umbilical cord and blood just poured. I reached in and clamped off the flow. It stopped and then she went back to licking it again and it flowed. I had some poly twine so I cut a strand to tie it off. Just a little tip for you guys if you ever run into this. Still checking on him periodically.




Overzealous Cow

RTV 1120D lost four wheel drive

My very new but just out of warranty, RTV 1120D appears to have lost the four wheel drive capability. It will go into four wheel drive, the drive shaft to the front axle will spin, the left front axle will spin, but the tire will not. I was told by a friend that the wheel hub is broke. There is no visible damage at the wheel. I can turn the wheel and the drive shaft does not turn. Does this sound like a wheel hub problem? Is this difficult to repair?

RTV 1120D lost four wheel drive

JD side restrictor plate instead of NH chamber wedge

Saw this idea elsewhere and trying to decide whether there’s really any merit to it. Someone swapped out a set of NH wedges in favor of the Deere “fish scale” restrictor. Their claim was that it was a poor man’s bale skiis but I think that’s fairly ridiculous. However, I do wonder if the Deere restrictor is any degree better in terms of anti springback tendency in the hay compared to the much simpler wedge design. Wouldn’t take much difference to justify the $80, especially if it’s tome for new wedges anyway. I wonder if mounting a set of them immediately behind the front wedges would be too much resistance.

JD side restrictor plate instead of NH chamber wedge

Martin II Protek NE Fescue

Thinking of mixing some of this in at about 10-15#/ac when overseeding my orchard grass.  2 questions??

 

The Coop guy said that the novel endophyte fescue seed is shipped in a "sealed" bag to maintain the endophyte status.  Can anyone elaborate on what this means?  I gathered that it is a solid plastic bag, like bagged fertilizer, not the woven bag seed normally comes in.  It was also suggested that you could not open a bag and let it sit till next season.

 

Anyone else used this variety-  Kings Agriseeds.

 

Thanks. r

Martin II Protek NE Fescue

new tires

time to revisit the new tire need. i have pretty much settled on ITP Bajacross for my type of use. any advice on size and width before i order???
2014 X1100C.

new tires

Newbie here with some fun stuff to show off!

Hello everyone, new to the forum. I wanted to introduce myself and share some pictures of a couple items i built for my RTV-X1120. First is a front quick coupler for a plow or any front mounted accessories I may decide to build at a later date and the second is a height adjustable reciever hitch. I dont know about any of you but I found the height and location of the stock reciever to be about useless. Let me know what you all think? Thanks.

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Newbie here with some fun stuff to show off!

Knuckle Case Leak

Spotted oil seepage around the drivers side front wheel.

Since the CV boots were shot I replaced both front axles. But after a test drive the steering arm is still wet with oil. Its seeping from where the front axle mates with the knuckle case.

I cannot tell from Messic's site diagram which seals are needed to address this.

Knuckle Case Leak

Simplifying Grain Drill Calibration.

Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

https://www.progressiveforage.com/forage-production/planting/simplifying-grain-drill-calibration

Simplifying Grain Drill Calibration.

Figuring acres

Here is a tool I found that makes it easy to figure the acreage of a field if you are buying standing hay.

https://www.mapdevelopers.com/area_finder.php

 

Figuring acres

Got tractor to play with - Mitsubishi D1650 with loader - got some questions

I have zero experience with tractors =) Got one to move rocks around, some minor work like moving around mulch and hopefully being able to move not too heavy pallets for stuff we ship from the house (with forks mounted on the bucket)

I have few questions about it and hoped someone could help me to understand it better =)

First - general question - what I should do first to make sure it will not get destroyed prematurely? I do not know exact year of the machine, but it got diesel 4 cylinder motor.

FEL seems to be aftermarket or custom. Bucket is quite rusted and cutting edge has "smile" - i planed to try to straighten it out using bottle jack technique I found somewhere on the forum. But this will not fix rusted pinholes. Should I plan to reweld bucket, or it is easier to buy bucket instead? I could not find anything that looks like would mount on this loader...



On hydralics control block (not sure what it is called correctly) there are couple holes on the bottom and i see some amount of oil getting out of it. I wander if this is normal and perhaps I am overloading it, or perhaps something is wearing out?



There is also some regulator with japanese text on it. My phone could not pick it up for translation. Perhaps someone knows what this regulator know is for?



Would it be possible to add another attachment, like grapple (which would require separate hydraulic switch I guess) to this?







Should I bother about these lines? Or just wait till they break and buy replacement? And where I can get such replacements?



How long such tire might last and what is the best source to get new tires? It is 8.3 - 22 one. Also, where I can such tire ti be installed? Is it DIY job or I has to unbolt it and take to tire shop? Any tire shop?




Any other advice to first-time tractor, and specifically D1650, user? =)

Got tractor to play with - Mitsubishi D1650 with loader - got some questions

Pequea HRS15 Rotary Rake

Came across a leftover Pequea rake for a nice price. Really thinking about pulling the trigger on it however I do have some reservations due to some issues with the tedder. Anybody running the HRS15 or Pequea Rotary's in general. 

Pequea HRS15 Rotary Rake

Oats VS Rye Grass To Overseed For Hay

Hello everyone!

 

So I'm planning to overseed four of the fields that I'm making hay on this year. Partly to try and get ahead of some of the weeds that grow on them, mostly because none of them have any "good" stands of desirable grass, its basically just mixed pasture grasses and weeds. This is on ground I'm leasing on a yearly basis, thus I'm not wanting to invest a lot of money in this. I mainly want a crop thats hardy and idiot-resistant, that'll give me a good quantity of hay (most people I sell to just want "clean" and "cheap") and be very cost effective for the aforementioned reasons.

 

Basically, the plan is to disk, broadcast seed, and disk the seeds in. I have an 8' pull type disk harrow and a rotary "cone" three point spreader.

 

Its looking like oats would cost a fraction as much to plant as the rye grass, and other things being equal, I'm leaning that way. My questions:

 

1) Could I expect two cuttings off of the oats (I've been told that I could off of the rye)
2) Does anyone have firsthand experience doing this, or something similar? Your advice and thoughts on this would really be appreciated. Thank you!

Oats VS Rye Grass To Overseed For Hay

Rtv 900 slow travel

My 2010 rtv 900 will only go 10–12 mph on flat ground. Charge pressure is over 100 psi, high pressure is at about 3700 psi, brakes are not suck all tires will roll free when jacked up, servo lever is moving all the way, it takes off strong at first but the engine revs and you do not continue to gain speed, will do 30 mph on jack stands.
Does anyone have anything else I can try?

Rtv 900 slow travel

What's in wood ash

The other day I dumped a 4 gallon bucket of wood ash in the snow where my cattle are. After a few minutes there was a few lapping it up out of the snow. I was wondering if anybody knew what would be in wood ash that they need or want and maybe if I should throw more out there or not.

                                              Thanks

What's in wood ash

Using Skidsteer to Load Road Bales in Feeder

For years I have used my JD 4020 with front loader to move road bales into the round bale feeders. I would pick one up with the front loader, take to the cattle pen, get off tractor and CUT THE NET WRAP AND REMOVE FROM BALE, then get back on tractor and place bale in feeder.  Well I finally retired the 4020 and purchased a new NH skid steer loader with a cab and door.

 

My question is how can I complete the bale process now. I cant get out of the skid steer, unless I am willing to raise it above the cab and then crawl out under it.

 

How do others complete this process safely by their self...

Using Skidsteer to Load Road Bales in Feeder

RTV x1140 - Air in Transmission Fluid

I recently changed the transmission fluid/filters on my rtv x1140. When checking the level, the fluid on the dip stick appeared to have small air bubbles in it. The transmission is now making a hissing sound immediately after accelerator is pressed. The sound was occurring before the transmission fluid change.

RTV x1140 - Air in Transmission Fluid

Semen and Trich testing

Do you guys test your bulls for Trich, and do a semen test every year?  I am thinking we should do it, but dad does not thing we need to.  I don't think the bull has Trich, and I don't really want to put the bull out with the cows if he is shooting blanks; he probably is not shoot blanks, but you never know.  

 

Also how many cows per bull do you run?  I have three on 61 head.  

Semen and Trich testing

Mahindra Roxor

Anyone check out the Roxor? I guess Mahindra bought the rights to build the original Willys jeep and started making these. It has a high low transfer case, manual tranny and a 65 HP diesel engine.
They look pretty sweet, I imagine has a application but with all the modern sxs out there I don't really know where it fits in. $15-20K
Maybe if I lived in Texas, a good ranch vehicle.

https://www.roxoroffroad.com/

Mahindra Roxor

Raking alfalfa with a Vermeer Twin rake--video

I’ve been wanting to do this for quite a while now.  I had some videos on my phone of various haying activities, with some difficultly I am trying to get them uploaded to youtube.  Some quality has been lost with the upload it looks.

 

Raking alfalfa with a Vermeer Twin rake--video

Man, I love my 1100C!

What a treat to once again have a machine that is a joy to use! I bought a new Kubota RTV-X 1100C in December of last year to replace a John Deere X739 that I was very dissatisfied with (https://www.mytractorforum.com/12-jo...ping-x739.html, if you want the gory details).

Where I live, snow removal is my main task. The Leelanau Peninsula is the "little finger" of the Michigan mitten, sticking out into the waters of northern Lake Michigan. That geography means milder winter temperatures than our neighbors in Wisconsin, but much, much more snow, too. We got 200" last year, 265" a few years ago... and this year, despite a very slow start and almost no snow on the ground on January 20th, once that Polar Vortex hit we've been making up for lost time with about 150" since then. No big storms, really...just 8" one day, 4" the next, then 10", and so on. Classic lake-effect snow!

I live at the end of a 1000' long private road, so no county plows for me. For years, I kept that open with my John Deere Gator 620i equipped with a good plow. The problem with plowing that often crops up this time of year, is that when you've had so much snow pile up and then you get a thaw followed by cold weather, the 4' high snowbanks alongside the road become nearly immovable walls of ice.

So that's the problem I was trying to solve when I decided to get rid of my Gator and buy a JD X739 with a Curtis Cab and a snowblower. Unfortunately, it didn't work. The JD could throw snow maybe 15', so I couldn't be on one side of my little road and blow the snow across the banks on the other side. I had to develop a technique of starting out in the middle of the road, blowing to one side or another, then turning around and coming back the other way, blowing to the opposite side of the road. That worked OK -- unless the wind was blowing, which it usually is this close to Lake Michigan.

On top of being a subpar snowblower, the X739 was also less than wonderful at lawn mowing and leaf bagging. As this winter approached, I decided I just didn't want to spend any more time with such a disappointing machine. Time to cut my losses, after only 25 hours of use...

I started out looking at a JD Gator but after pricing one out ($7K more than my 1100C comparably equipped) and test-driving both the Gator and the Kubota, it was a very easy decision. Of course, the fact that the Kubota dealer was willing to take my X739 in on trade while neither of 2 John Deere dealers wanted it at all sure helped sway me, too.

With all the snow we've had the last 5 or 6 weeks, I've had plenty of opportunity to use my Kubota and I couldn't be happier. As much as I loved my old Gator, the 1100C is leaps and bounds better. It's not lively or peppy like the Gator -- I think of it as a big, heavy, locomotive that moves very deliberately but has all the power in the world. I can push big piles of snow way off the road in places I'd never have even dreamed of going with my Gator -- much more torque.

I'm a big fan of the Kubota hydrostatic transmission, too. The CVT on my old Gator always engaged very abruptly and it was tricky to use in tight quarters. No such issue with the Kubota -- you can "feather it" in quite easily. If you need it to go forward an inch, but 2" would be a disaster, no sweat with the Kubota. Try THAT with a Gator!

The factory cab is also much, much better than the Curtis hard cabs I had on my Gator and the X739 -- just about airtight.

I was worried that a diesel engine vehicle stored in an unheated shed might be problematic on some of our really cold mornings, but so far it's started right up, even at minus 15* F.

As good as the Kubota has proven to be at plowing, I think I'm going to add the K-Connect system with both the snowblower and the plow. Most of the time, the plow is faster and, of course, can handle wet snow better than a blower. Right now, though, with the banks along the road 4' high and the snow still going gangbusters, it'd be awfully nice to put a blower on that Kubota and not have to wonder, "Where am I supposed to put this stuff?"

Looking forward to many more years of use with my Kubota!

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Man, I love my 1100C!

Unprotected CV joint RTV500

I recently purchased an RTV500 2012 and only noticed last week that there isn’t any protection on the front drive shaft cv joint. It’s actually under the skid plate of all things and there doesn’t seem anything from Kubota to protect that area? Doesn’t make sense that a cv joint would be hanging unprotected on the belly like that. Either way the boot is ripped wide open now and this time I want to protect it it properly.

Unprotected CV joint RTV500

4655 Hesston Baler Knife adjustment

I am putting new knifes in a 4655 Hesston baler and wondering if anyone has adjusted them tighter than the factory settings in the book. I thought that I had read on one of the forums once about setting them closer but could not find it. 

4655 Hesston Baler Knife adjustment

Educate me on Self Propelleds

Hi, 

I'm looking into going towards the SP mower conditioner route.  There are not many people using them in my general area, and I need some eduation.  I did a search, but couldn't find my specific question.

 

I'm wondering on the New Holland Models, and the John Deere models...are the heads upgradeable?  In other words, will a new mower head fit on an older model SP unit?  I'm only looking at roll conditioners, not impellers.

 

I'm looking at a couple of models...

A New Holland HW345.

A John Deere 4990

 

thanks.

Educate me on Self Propelleds

Vermeer M series baler parts

I'm looking for a lead on anyone who would have a vermeer M series baler that they are parting out. I'm looking for the bale shape/equal fill sensors that mount to the tailgate that tell you which direction to drive on the monitor. I've got a 504m that is wired for it but wasn't optioned with it. Tech support says the monitor should pick them right up once installed and plugged in. Unfortunately buying it all new isn't an option right now. Thanks for any help guys!

Vermeer M series baler parts

Anyone tried the new undercoating by Fluidfilm?

I get got a sale email from them on the new undercoating available in black.. I was wondering if anyone has tried it?
I love the old fluid film but it doesn't stay on the undersides very long with heavy use so this caught my eye. I have a 1994 Toyota with the tar type undercoating and it's still under there LOL.. so I'm sorta spoiled.. I know this isn't the same but was wondering about it longevity- weeks? maybe months?
https://www.kellsportproducts.com/

Anyone tried the new undercoating by Fluidfilm?

Tire repair

For sake of downtime we want just about every Tire on our farm run tubeless. I was just wondering what type of equipment others are using if they are plugging tires.. and any of the heavy-duty equipment needed to plug big tires and tires up in that 12 to 16 ply

Tire repair

Stock Tanks

I need to pick up a new stock tank.  What type of tank do you guys prefer, galvanized steel or poly?  

Stock Tanks

Bottom bales

I built a 60 x 80 metal building with crushed stone floor 3 years ago. I am storing small square bales of grass hay in it. The first year i stacked bales on edge on pallets and 90% of the bales were spoiled on the bottom edge. I figured the ground needed a year to dry out after it was built so I went back to pallets and 30% of the bottom bales were spoiled the second year. This past season I put down 4mil black plastic sheeting then pallets and I'm back to about 75% spoiled bales. I thought the plastic would help but not so much. It was a damp wet August thru October here in NY. Anybody have success keeping bottom bales from spoiling? I hate to just leave the bottom bales in every year. Thanks!

Bottom bales

Top speed x1100 vs x1120

Does anyone know what kubota did to get more top speed out of the x1120?

Top speed x1100 vs x1120

Interesting rake and baler combination

 

Looks like about 30 feet of rake coverage.  

Interesting rake and baler combination

New tires for XUV835M

Bought different tires for the Gator. I had the maxxis bighorns on the Gator. Since I don't go trail riding, I didn't need these type tires. They sound like tractor tires going down the road. The new tires are probably 50-75% quieter. I really like them. We are supposed to get 6 inches of snow this Sunday, so I will see how they do pushing snow.

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New tires for XUV835M

turning up RPM on X1100C

for you fellas who have adjusted the High idle RPM on your X1100C. would you please share what the before adjustment rpm was and what rpm you reset to? would you also share how many hours you have since the change and your operating habits conditions? how much of the time do you operate at max throttle?

Thanks

turning up RPM on X1100C