Initial purchase list vs "wish list"

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,818
2,438
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
I always ask for the WSM and owners manual on a memory stick, a steering wheel spinner, the first 50 hour service included, a complete set of filters for the major service, and a hat. ;-)
 
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PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,532
1,488
113
NZ
I've never understood the steering wheel spinner. I seem to do fine just with my hand on top of the wheel. Is there something I'm missing?
 

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,822
3,402
113
Michigan
I've never understood the steering wheel spinner. I seem to do fine just with my hand on top of the wheel. Is there something I'm missing?
Try one, they're cheap.

Makes a Yuge difference (to me anyway.)

I think my "suicide knob" (thats what I think 70's truckers called them?) makes it a lot easier in general overall steering, but really shines when I am "turned around" looking backwards and need to turn the wheel.

Ironically, I do not use one for everyday driving though.

I'm complicated 🍻


EDIT: Oh....and mine also has the "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor" on it, so it looks cool as well.
 
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fc1

Active member

Equipment
L3940
Apr 17, 2024
56
117
33
Michigan
I live in the woods, and for what it's worth my grapple is far more useful to me than my pallet forks. Also love the steering wheel spinner; I bought my tractor used, and the spinner was seized up so I replaced it immediately.
 

DenmanBC

New member

Equipment
Pending purchase
Aug 6, 2024
29
14
3
Coastal BC, Canada
As others have noted, R4s are more construction focused, and heavier duty. Probably doesn't matter, but if you do get a puncture in the woods you'll be thinking "wish I got the R14s". To me you get the R14s if you have a specific reason for it, the default is the R4s. You didn't have a lot of lawn type work where the R14s might be easier on the lawn. If you are, then R14s make sense, but otherwise, I'd go R4.

I'd go true 3rd function if the cost difference isn't much. They both work, the true 3rd function would be nicer. I'd guess when you're buying it there's not too much price difference, changing later is a big price difference (the diverter spend is wasted when you take it off).

I personally have no rear outlets, no quick hitch, and I don't really know what a PTO quick link is but I don't think you need one. My tractor is a bit smaller, so I can horse my implements around a bit, but I find once you get the hang of how a 3ph works you can do a lot using the machine hydraulics - once you get one side on you're pretty much off as you can push/pull with the tractor. Most of my implements sit on concrete, so I built dollies for them - I can roll them around. You may not have that luxury with a box blade and a rotary cutter - they're probably too big.

Of the three you list, quick hitch would be my first choice, it would be a big improvement on horsing implements if they're heavier and on gravel or dirt. Quick link sounds like something that would go wrong, and it's not hard to connect a PTO shaft. Doesn't sound like you'll be swapping implements every 5 minutes to get benefit from it.

Outlets are mixed. Plenty of people don't have them. Those who have them swear by them. But they would.... Neil from Messicks had a video on his tractor the other day, and he'd put a hydraulic top link on. He didn't really love it - because it had no check valve and leaked down all the time. If you're not using it all the time, I'd say you'd be better with manual adjustment. It also depends what you're doing with your box blade and how much fine adjustment you need - when I use rear implements I tend to set them and leave them, but if you're up and down all the time you may need to feather it a lot.

I have pallet forks and use them a lot. When I go to do work I typically take a bunch of tools. If it's not too many they go in the bucket. If it's lots and lots, I have a pallet that goes on the forks, and all the tools go on that. I also use it as a work platform for picking fruit, pruning trees and a bunch of other stuff. It's not the pallet forks so much, as the ability to put a platform/carry all on the front of your machine.
Very helpful ad vice. Thanks