What did you do to or on your Kubota today?

[nerwin]

Well it cleared up, sun came out for much much longer this time. Managed to move a ton of old brush I've collected over the years. Burned it all today. Still have some left to do tomorrow but won't take much. It will be nice not having to look at this ugly brush pile anymore. Might throw some wildflower seeds in it's place. 10+ years of old brush rotting and turning into mulch should make for some good soil.

I forgot to take my phone with me so no pictures. When I get focused on doing a job, I forget to document it sometimes.

Using the forks to move brush is kinda tricky if I'm being honest. A grapple would be better in this scenario. The biggest issue that the brush was thrown in straight, not horizontal so I couldn't really get much. I just set the forks down and manually pulled the brush out one by one and piled it on the forks and moved it to the fire. This was good exercise anyways. Burned off some Christmas sweets. A project I been wanting to get done that was gonna take me 2 weeks to do it by hand...only took me like 2 hours. Tractors are definitely helpful haha

Anyways since it had rained and temps reached nearly mid 50s today...the ground really soften up so I kinda made some decent ruts in a few places at least I contained them near the edge of my mowing area. It's always wet in these places anyways...heck my little zero turn leaves ruts. These are just deeper lol. But I'd rather do it now and fix it in the spring before I mow because I knew it was gonna be messy.

So either way it was a good learning experience. Nice to use the tractor for some work rather plowing snow. I also had fun so that's good too

 

[BX'r]

Are you putting a timer on it or running it all the time?

I started out without a timer until the second one burnt out then installed a timer, on for twenty five minutes off for five and also installed an ammeter so I could see when it wasn't working.
Now I have reduced the wattage to half and removed the timer.
I want to leave it on for an hour , the timer might be stressing it popping in on and off.

How do you "rewire" it????

Install a bridge rectifier to cut the voltage in half by only using half the dc side , now it operates at 200 watts instead of 400.
I believe the space around the heater is too small for the 400 watt heater.

I've never had block heater problems until I bought this Kubota tractor, if you use a block heater on a bx you might want to test it if it has been in use for more than three seasons.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Gave the B the last bath for the year…sort of …more like we played in the rain today…

Happy New Years!

 

[DustyRusty]

I started out without a timer until the second one burnt out then installed a timer, on for twenty five minutes off for five and also installed an ammeter so I could see when it wasn't working.
Now I have reduced the wattage to half and removed the timer.
I want to leave it on for an hour , the timer might be stressing it popping in on and off.



Install a bridge rectifier to cut the voltage in half by only using half the dc side , now it operates at 200 watts instead of 400.
I believe the space around the heater is too small for the 400 watt heater.

I've never had block heater problems until I bought this Kubota tractor, if you use a block heater on a bx you might want to test it if it has been in use for more than three seasons.

The block heater in my BX22 was installed in either 2003 or 2004 and was used every winter when snow was expected for roughly 12 hours from the time it was plugged in the night before the storm and when I got out to snowblow. It never failed, and I do the same with my 2020 BX23S and it also hasn't failed.

 

[Kennyd4110]

I started out without a timer until the second one burnt out then installed a timer, on for twenty five minutes off for five and also installed an ammeter so I could see when it wasn't working.
Now I have reduced the wattage to half and removed the timer.
I want to leave it on for an hour , the timer might be stressing it popping in on and off.



Install a bridge rectifier to cut the voltage in half by only using half the dc side , now it operates at 200 watts instead of 400.
I believe the space around the heater is too small for the 400 watt heater.

I've never had block heater problems until I bought this Kubota tractor, if you use a block heater on a bx you might want to test it if it has been in use for more than three seasons.

It really only needs to be on about an hour before your going to use it, the heater and your wallet will appreciate that too.

Maybe consider a simple WIFI switch, then you can turn it on from your phone before you head out.

 

[nerwin]

Well I got mine stuck today. First time. I was just cleaning up around the fire pit from being all the brush. There is a small decline, on the other side, I went a little too far and when I went to back up....nope. The tractor told me I want to go forward.

Just spun and spun. Even tried dif lock but that help. It was just too muddy and the tires were full so it had no traction. Theres a creek only feet away. I was a bit worried. I had the bucket on and just put it in the ground so it couldn't move and took a few minutes to figure out a plan to get out of it.

I even went to my neighbor who has a tractor and asked for help, he has way more experience so but it was gonna be a while before he could help so I figured I would give it another go.

Managed to use the bucket to curl myself back up this really small incline. But yeah it was scary to me but a joke to others I'm sure. Either way it was a learning experience.

It doesn't look bad but the tractor wanted nothing to do with it.

Honestly I'm kinda starting to regret this tractor. It's just too big and heavy for what I need. I got a good deal on it sure but it's probably not what I really needed. I might have to consider downsizing to something small, maybe B series or heck even the BX. Something I will be giving some more thought to for sure. I don't know how it's gonna be once the ground is nice and dry, maybe it won't be too bad but I have a feeling it's gonna be a pain to use around the house.

What I did learn is that wet ground and mud are tractors kryptonite.

Man I felt so embarrassed and stupid.

 

[Tarmy]

Well I got mine stuck today. First time. I was just cleaning up around the fire pit from being all the brush. There is a small decline, on the other side, I went a little too far and when I went to back up....nope. The tractor told me I want to go forward.

Just spun and spun. Even tried dif lock but that help. It was just too muddy and the tires were full so it had no traction. Theres a creek only feet away. I was a bit worried. I had the bucket on and just put it in the ground so it couldn't move and took a few minutes to figure out a plan to get out of it.

I even went to my neighbor who has a tractor and asked for help, he has way more experience so but it was gonna be a while before he could help so I figured I would give it another go.

Managed to use the bucket to curl myself back up this really small incline. But yeah it was scary to me but a joke to others I'm sure. Either way it was a learning experience.

View attachment 145233

It doesn't look bad but the tractor wanted nothing to do with it.

Honestly I'm kinda starting to regret this tractor. It's just too big and heavy for what I need. I got a good deal on it sure but it's probably not what I really needed. I might have to consider downsizing to something small, maybe B series or heck even the BX. Something I will be giving some more thought to for sure. I don't know how it's gonna be once the ground is nice and dry, maybe it won't be too bad but I have a feeling it's gonna be a pain to use around the house.

What I did learn is that wet ground and mud are tractors kryptonite.

Man I felt so embarrassed and stupid.

Welp, we all have done something or another that got the tractor into some situation you can learn from. Trick is not to kill yourself doing it.

NEVER ever say a tractor is too big…bad juju…

Ballast in the tires or on the back is usually a good idea for most situations…especially with a bucket and slippery conditions…that balance will come in handy when the bucket is full of rock.

The next topic is wear that mud proudly…quit washing that damn thing so much…it will wear the paint out…

Glad you got things figured out and unstuck yerself!

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Well I got mine stuck today. First time. I was just cleaning up around the fire pit from being all the brush. There is a small decline, on the other side, I went a little too far and when I went to back up....nope. The tractor told me I want to go forward.

Just spun and spun. Even tried dif lock but that help. It was just too muddy and the tires were full so it had no traction. Theres a creek only feet away. I was a bit worried. I had the bucket on and just put it in the ground so it couldn't move and took a few minutes to figure out a plan to get out of it.

I even went to my neighbor who has a tractor and asked for help, he has way more experience so but it was gonna be a while before he could help so I figured I would give it another go.

Managed to use the bucket to curl myself back up this really small incline. But yeah it was scary to me but a joke to others I'm sure. Either way it was a learning experience.

View attachment 145233

It doesn't look bad but the tractor wanted nothing to do with it.

Honestly I'm kinda starting to regret this tractor. It's just too big and heavy for what I need. I got a good deal on it sure but it's probably not what I really needed. I might have to consider downsizing to something small, maybe B series or heck even the BX. Something I will be giving some more thought to for sure. I don't know how it's gonna be once the ground is nice and dry, maybe it won't be too bad but I have a feeling it's gonna be a pain to use around the house.

What I did learn is that wet ground and mud are tractors kryptonite.

Man I felt so embarrassed and stupid.

You passed a milestone with flying colors. You should have had the ballast box on, you might not have got stuck (or you might have got really stuck).

Wait a year and see if you don't grow into this tractor. I'm not sure of all your needs and the size you're working, but we've heard from more guys that outgrew their first machines than overbought.

 

[Chanceywd]

Well I got mine stuck today. First time. I was just cleaning up around the fire pit from being all the brush. There is a small decline, on the other side, I went a little too far and when I went to back up....nope. The tractor told me I want to go forward.

Just spun and spun. Even tried dif lock but that help. It was just too muddy and the tires were full so it had no traction. Theres a creek only feet away. I was a bit worried. I had the bucket on and just put it in the ground so it couldn't move and took a few minutes to figure out a plan to get out of it.

I even went to my neighbor who has a tractor and asked for help, he has way more experience so but it was gonna be a while before he could help so I figured I would give it another go.

Managed to use the bucket to curl myself back up this really small incline. But yeah it was scary to me but a joke to others I'm sure. Either way it was a learning experience.

View attachment 145233

It doesn't look bad but the tractor wanted nothing to do with it.

Honestly I'm kinda starting to regret this tractor. It's just too big and heavy for what I need. I got a good deal on it sure but it's probably not what I really needed. I might have to consider downsizing to something small, maybe B series or heck even the BX. Something I will be giving some more thought to for sure. I don't know how it's gonna be once the ground is nice and dry, maybe it won't be too bad but I have a feeling it's gonna be a pain to use around the house.

What I did learn is that wet ground and mud are tractors kryptonite.

Man I felt so embarrassed and stupid.

I try to remember to always engage the dif lock when backing up an incline like that when I put it in reverse. I've found it better to do that and it can often avoid that first spin which is obviously always the tire with the least traction. I came near getting stuck my self the same way just a week ago clearing brush with the grapple near a cherry that I want to drop that got struck by lightning last year. I was able to minimize my backing up by planning a route to go down and turn around for the dicey spots. That is another part having a plan B if possible.
I was where you are with my L2501DT 4 years ago even though I have had my 8N for 25 years prior.
Its a different beast and always a learning curve.
Bill

 

[g_man]

ALL the advise above is good. Head it and you will be fine. Don't beat yourself up over something everybody else has probably done. Keep your old attitude that is all a learning experience !!

gg

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Well I got mine stuck today. First time. I was just cleaning up around the fire pit from being all the brush. There is a small decline, on the other side, I went a little too far and when I went to back up....nope. The tractor told me I want to go forward.

Just spun and spun. Even tried dif lock but that help. It was just too muddy and the tires were full so it had no traction. Theres a creek only feet away. I was a bit worried. I had the bucket on and just put it in the ground so it couldn't move and took a few minutes to figure out a plan to get out of it.

I even went to my neighbor who has a tractor and asked for help, he has way more experience so but it was gonna be a while before he could help so I figured I would give it another go.

Managed to use the bucket to curl myself back up this really small incline. But yeah it was scary to me but a joke to others I'm sure. Either way it was a learning experience.

View attachment 145233

It doesn't look bad but the tractor wanted nothing to do with it.

Honestly I'm kinda starting to regret this tractor. It's just too big and heavy for what I need. I got a good deal on it sure but it's probably not what I really needed. I might have to consider downsizing to something small, maybe B series or heck even the BX. Something I will be giving some more thought to for sure. I don't know how it's gonna be once the ground is nice and dry, maybe it won't be too bad but I have a feeling it's gonna be a pain to use around the house.

What I did learn is that wet ground and mud are tractors kryptonite.

Man I felt so embarrassed and stupid.

Happy New Year!

Every honest person on this site has had bruised pride at one time or another. IMO it’s not a fail unless you don’t learn from it. That is the key point.

Good news is you got it unstuck…frankly speaking it doesn’t look like it was really that stuck…it looked more like it was taking a break. .

A couple items I would offer:

1. Before putting a sign on it, I’d encourage you to consider the underlying issue.

2. Both a BX and B also leave ruts and get stuck (my pride has been bruised on all of my machines, and the BX honestly was the one that got stuck the most). If you think a smaller machine is the issue, go back to number 1.

3. If still set in a smaller machine, there is nothing wrong with that. I’d encourage you to be aware of the capability you would be giving up. I think if you look at the weight difference it’s really not that much…as a percent sure it’s more, but in actual weight it’s not much. Weight and stance is also what allows you to control a load. SWLL is something to error on side of caution IMO. Anyway be aware of that before say good bye to it. Maybe you don’t need it. .

I am glad you got it unstuck. Yours is still way cleaner than mine in your picture and mine got a bath yesterday.

Happy New Year!

 

[MOOTS]

@nerwin
Looking at that picture, if you could have got turned around, I bet it would have walked right up that hill. I’m thinking hard left to get between that tree and rock, maybe there was a path there to get out? Or just completely turn around where you are and go up the hill.

 

[nerwin]

@nerwin
Looking at that picture, if you could have got turned around, I bet it would have walked right up that hill. I’m thinking hard left to get between that tree and rock, maybe there was a path there to get out? Or just completely turn around where you are and go up the hill.

So I if I could have turned to the left I probably could have drove it out but I tried. I couldn't get it to turn.

Here's another angle.

I know it doesn't look bad but it was just steep enough where the tractor wasn't having it. I tried to turned left but no matter what it just went straight. I'm not sure how I managed to get it out, I think as it kept spinning it was sliding to the right a little and finally hooked on some gravel, wasn't soft and I was able to back out. But as I was attempting to back out, I noticed it came out of 4wd...I must have accidently hit or something but it probably helped lol.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

A couple pics from last Wednesday.

Great tree work, I enjoy seeing a job done well and that one was excellent.

 

[nerwin]

I try to remember to always engage the dif lock when backing up an incline like that when I put it in reverse. I've found it better to do that and it can often avoid that first spin which is obviously always the tire with the least traction. I came near getting stuck my self the same way just a week ago clearing brush with the grapple near a cherry that I want to drop that got struck by lightning last year. I was able to minimize my backing up by planning a route to go down and turn around for the dicey spots. That is another part having a plan B if possible.
I was where you are with my L2501DT 4 years ago even though I have had my 8N for 25 years prior.
Its a different beast and always a learning curve.
Bill

Honestly, I was scared of using dif lock lol. I heard horror stories of people destroying their transmissions. But I knew that you can't step on it wheels are spinning so I made sure they were stopped. It actually worked really smoothly. My intentions weren't to go down that little decline, when you're up on the tractor its like you lose the sense hills, it doesn't seem that bad up there. So I miss judged it and couldn't back out...of course it doesn't help when it's all freaking mud!

 

[nerwin]

I am glad you got it unstuck. Yours is still way cleaner than mine in your picture and mine got a bath yesterday.

I spent like an hour cleaning the mud off the tires before putting it back in the garage...then I went ahead and wiped it down with my car detailer lol.

I can't help it, I've detailed quite a few expensive cars, I once detailed someone's Harley and they said it looked so good that they didn't want to drive it haha. You should see my 2010 Cub Cadet zero turn mower with 500 hours on it, still looks brand new. Except for the mowing deck, it has some paint coming off now. I was brought up to take care of things you own, so its just in my nature I guess.

 

[MOOTS]

Good luck New Year fire.

 

[NCL4701]

So I if I could have turned to the left I probably could have drove it out but I tried. I couldn't get it to turn.

Here's another angle.

View attachment 145247

I know it doesn't look bad but it was just steep enough where the tractor wasn't having it. I tried to turned left but no matter what it just went straight. I'm not sure how I managed to get it out, I think as it kept spinning it was sliding to the right a little and finally hooked on some gravel, wasn't soft and I was able to back out. But as I was attempting to back out, I noticed it came out of 4wd...I must have accidently hit or something but it probably helped lol.

Am aware slopes generally look a lot less severe in pics v IRL. Makes a lot more sense being it was in 2WD, albeit unintentionally. No counterweight on the back, weight on front (even if it’s just the loader with nothing in the bucket), only back wheels turning, too slick for front wheels to get traction to turn. I’ve gotten a 2WD loader “stuck” (wouldn’t move anywhere but downhill, but hadn’t sunk in) many, many times in that scenario. It’s very easy to do with a 2WD loader if the front end is downhill, even on a mild slope.

If you need it to turn and it won’t, that’s the time to use split brakes (if your machine has that capability). Apply the brake only on the left wheel if you need to turn left, right brake to turn right.

4WD is incredibly useful in that scenario. The vast majority of overall pulling power is in the big rear wheels, but if there’s a bunch of weight on the front and not much on the rear due to positioning, weight distribution or whatever else, having power to the front wheels allows the machine to back out of places a 2WD would be inexorably stuck.

With the bucket on, you can curl down, lift the front of the tractor, curl up as you back up. Most times that will push it out backward.

All that said, it would be highly unusual to have driven off road a lot and never been stuck.

It would also be unusual to be immediately highly proficient with a new machine even if you have experience running equipment. One of my first tasks for my L was to pull the base out from under a large oak tree that was hung up half fallen into another tree. Messed with it for about 2 hours cutting and pulling; honestly disappointed in my new tractor’s pulling power, blaming it on my mistake of getting that horrible power robbing HST. Getting back on the tractor after a water break, noticed I had the range in Medium the whole time. Put it in Low and pulled the tree down.

You got out without damaging anything or anyone and learned some stuff, so that’s a good day.

 

[MOOTS]

So I if I could have turned to the left I probably could have drove it out but I tried. I couldn't get it to turn.

Here's another angle.

View attachment 145247

I know it doesn't look bad but it was just steep enough where the tractor wasn't having it. I tried to turned left but no matter what it just went straight. I'm not sure how I managed to get it out, I think as it kept spinning it was sliding to the right a little and finally hooked on some gravel, wasn't soft and I was able to back out. But as I was attempting to back out, I noticed it came out of 4wd...I must have accidently hit or something but it probably helped lol.

You’re learning. you will figure out what your tractor wants for your property.
It’s always good practice to have something heavy on the back to really plant the tires. My 800# box blade is just about always on. Wheel weights too. And my rear tires are at 10ish psi. Really leaves a good footprint.

 

[Orange man]

We have all been stuck at least once, not a big deal but your bucket level indicator is not on right. The top pin should be turned down. It shows in the loader manual.