Tractors...

Yes I do have the hydraulic top link. I’ve been going back and forth on what to get to help with attachments. I keep flipping between a quick hitch, Pats, or those PTO quick connects

 

My tractor is about to be a real tractor
Our 2002 b7500d was given to us by my father-in-law. I love this tractor, they are so nicely crafted and work nicely, I’m always impressed with the 4wd while turning, how the wheels slow down inside proportionally to turn radius. Came with rear blade, 60” deck mower, 3-point pallet forks. It’s been handy as heck on our first acreage. But lacking one major thing I need. A loader! Kubota doesn’t make or have any model specific loaders anymore. Been watching marketplace and researching for a couple years, only to come up with $10-12k aftermarket bolt ones. Finally found a deal on a used one from a b6000. All the measurements are primo, I just will need to fab some new frame mount brackets. paid $2200 for it. I’m stoked!

 

I love these Kubota's so much. They're great machines. That size is perfect too especially in wooded areas. Total score on that loader, i'm jealous. You should get some pallet forks for your bucket. Its a game changer on a FEL. I've been trying to source a loader for my Yanmar but they're near impossible to find. I have a lot of grading and dirt work to do and the blade isn't quite cutting it. I've been considering upgrading to a Kubota L2501 with a FEL.

 

My neighbor has 10 acres with horses. He bought a used Kubota L3800 and some used implements for good prices and he’s very happy with it.

 

I agree on this size of unit. Seems to be good for our 8 acres. A little under half is treed, and we have quad trails cut through them, this one fits nicely down the trails.
I will most definitely be converting my 3-point pallet forks to front end forks no doubt. I’m looking forward (pun intended) to not having a broke neck from looking backwards steady ha

 

Here I am trying to push a 35 ton D8 with my Kubota L3400. The owner is towing with his road grader and I’m pushing from the rear.

 

My neighbor has this Ford 3000 tractor. I offered to maintain it and fix it for him as hes an older gentleman. He's a bit too old to be using it anymore and lets me use it all the time. Its like a Lexus compared to my little Yanmar which doesn't have power steering or draft control. Did a bunch of work with it including regrading both my and my neighbors driveways and the main road. I love working and using these old machines.

 

Great little tractors. My dad was given one in trade for cutting and baling the former owners fields for 3 years. Unfortunately, it was a selecto-speed, and the trans quickly failed. Last year we took my Tundra to get a parts tractor with a manual trans and rear end, and my dad had his mechanic swap the good trans over to his tractor. When he retires from his little haying business, I get the Ford, to supplement my other tractor, my Grandfathers '56 Farmall 400. My grandfather bought it as his big tractor when I was 3 years old.

 

Oh heck yeah!
Next up, I will relocate the control panel mount closer to the seat, as it’s a bit of a reach.
Then dissemble and fresh Kubota orange enamel as well, can’t have no off color bs!

 

now go tractor the shit outta some shit

 

Haha, oh man I want to. Not yet. Still need to painter up and tie the hydraulics in.

 

That's pretty cool. The manual trans is pretty stout. I love manual tractors, even though they're more work, its far more satisfying to operate compared to a hydro. That Farmall is a beauty too.

That came out great. Nice job on the fab work.

Some fresh paint will seal the deal and then you can put her to work.

I know, i really should've gone bigger from the start. I didn't realize how many projects i'd come up with once i got a tractor. I'll probably end up going bigger.

Did some road maintenance today with the Ford. It had been badly washed out and the neighbors were having a tough time driving up it. Grader blade did a nice job. I cut some swales and added a crown to a good bit of it too so hopefully will drain better. One of my neighbors has a box blade with a broken lift arm. Going to see if i can weld or replace it and use that next.

 

I got the frame painted and mounted. I had to try it out before painting the fel. Woohoo!

 

My Tractor.. (I built myself) ...



And this is what it will do...


Just Saying ...

 

Love this thread! Just got done reading through it and man yall got some nice setups! I am slowly browsing for an old 8n or similiar, while utilizing the best type of tractors on my property... A kubota that the neighbor lets me use that has a grappler and a back hoe. Then a bad boy my other neighbor leaves here once on a while with the bucket and brush hog... Love not having the payments lol.



Plus my little orange zero turn:



and my sons first tractor:

 

Hadn't been on here in a while. Long story short, my neighbor and I have become good friends and I help him out around his property as he's a senior. He ended up gifting me this tractor which was really generous. So I started to restore it. It was stored outside uncovered so its taken a beating. Started the teardown in September and this is where I am so far.



It was caked in 50 years worth of grease and mud. Leaked quite a bit from the valve cover and power steering assemblies. Everything was sanded and had Rustoleum Rust Reforming Primer sprayed on. Then brushed on Rustoleum Farm and Implement paint in Ford Blue on the motor and suspension. Sprayed Rustoleum Gloss Black Enamel on some of the accessories and valve cover for some contrast.



Put in new gaskets and seals. Motor and valvetrain looked fantastic for the age, did not need to do anything to the head or block.



Radiator was still the OEM copper and brass unit. Washed it out, pressure tested, bent the fins straight, and a little paint and she was good as new. They don't make radiators like this anymore.



Started tackling bodywork. I suck at bodywork but this wasn't too bad.




All sheet metal was sprayed with Rustoleum Automotive Primer and Rusotleum Farm and Implement Ford Blue spray paint. It went on surprisingly well for being out of a can. A little orange peel but its a tractor not a Porsche.





This is where i'm at so far. Picked up a pair of headlights but need to respray them at some point. New grille and plastics as well. Any rubber was also replaced.



Since then i've disassembled the steering arms and components, replaced the tie rods ends to greaseable units, pressed new bearings and races, and painted everything . Just need to assemble the rest of it and take pictures. I also need to pull the oil pan, replace the gasket, and paint it.

I'm essentially doing it in 2 halves. From the trans forward has been this portion of the restoration. Its getting too cold to paint now and I need the tractor around the property so I anticipate doing the second half in the spring.

 

Wow, that’s looking great! Nice work

 

Does anyone have any experience with skid steers?
I'm torn between that or a 4x4 tractor with a FEL. I would buy a snow pusher for either option.

I need it for snow removal and driveway maintenance in the summer. Not to mention the endless projects on 10 acres with animals.

We have an old 2wd JD tractor/FEL, FWIW.

Looking at spending $15-20k, I'm not against any brand but I've heard good things with the older Case and Bobcats.

 

I've used both and currently have a tractor with FEL and backhoe. A couple things to think about for the use of the machine. A skid steer is simply that, it's going to skid anytime you turn. Which can tear up a yard or even a driveway quickly, also they have low clearance under the machine, and lastly, you have to climb over the front to get in & out. These things may or may not make a difference to you. For myself, I decided on the tractor and get much more use out of it. Mowing is just one example with the acreage you have. Good luck on your decision.