What did you do to or on your Kubota today?

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Today, my new rotary tiller was delivered. It’s an Indian brand called LandForce, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the quality, especially given the price. It’s more affordable and seems better built than some of the more well-known brands in this area.

I decided to test it out, but unfortunately, I chose a spot under a tree. It ended up cutting through a root, which also snapped the safety bolt in the process—bringing my work to an abrupt end. I think I managed to till a whole 3 feet before it happened!

Better a shear bolt than a gear case!

 

[Rosohatica]

That’s true. I’ve had a more serious incident yesterday too. Remember my worn-out tires? Well, I’m not sure new ones would have made much of a difference in this situation.

My shed is on elevated terrain, and I was heading downhill. The ground had been frozen solid for about a week, but yesterday, a southern wind brought temperatures above freezing. The top couple of inches of frost melted, leaving a slick surface, while the ground beneath remained frozen.

As I started downhill, even in a slow crawling gear, the tractor began to skid and pick up speed. Panic set in because at the bottom of the yard, there’s a fence and a narrow passage. I tried to brake—big mistake. The tractor started to rotate, with the back end sliding sideways.

For a moment, I was terrified it might tip over. Thankfully, the hill is short, and before it could roll, I reached the bottom. Disaster avoided, but just barely!

Honestly, I doubt new tires would have made much difference in those conditions. Even chains might not have been enough to handle that slippery mess.

Better a shear bolt than a gear case!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That’s true. I’ve had a more serious incident yesterday too. Remember my worn-out tires? Well, I’m not sure new ones would have made much of a difference in this situation.

My shed is on elevated terrain, and I was heading downhill. The ground had been frozen solid for about a week, but yesterday, a southern wind brought temperatures above freezing. The top couple of inches of frost melted, leaving a slick surface, while the ground beneath remained frozen.

As I started downhill, even in a slow crawling gear, the tractor began to skid and pick up speed. Panic set in because at the bottom of the yard, there’s a fence and a narrow passage. I tried to brake—big mistake. The tractor started to rotate, with the back end sliding sideways.

For a moment, I was terrified it might tip over. Thankfully, the hill is short, and before it could roll, I reached the bottom. Disaster avoided, but just barely!

Honestly, I doubt new tires would have made much difference in those conditions. Even chains might not have been enough to handle that slippery mess.

Did you have it in 4wd? 4wd helps with braking too, as the front wheels will brake too.
Also in 4wd you can keep a little more traction.

Chains are a huge help in Snow, Ice, Mud and Slime, you might really want to look into them for future use.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

@Rosohatica : Diamond-pattern chains, even without studs, should cause your tractor to stay grippy. They cost more, but less costly ladder-bar chains have non-chain areas that ride rougher and can slide when braking--pumping the brakes helps if the wheels rotate and catch, or you might have to go forward a little to rotate to a chain area (and sometimes only one wheel catches), experience helps. More ladders also helps but the cost goes up and at that point diamond pattern are only slightly more.

Studs will damage pavement and concrete, and dirt paths and everything else, but wow they grip. I have them on lighter equipment for use on hard ice.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Oh snap! Literally.

 

[Old_Paint]

Today, my new rotary tiller was delivered. It’s an Indian brand called LandForce, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the quality, especially given the price. It’s more affordable and seems better built than some of the more well-known brands in this area.

I decided to test it out, but unfortunately, I chose a spot under a tree. It ended up cutting through a root, which also snapped the safety bolt in the process—bringing my work to an abrupt end. I think I managed to till a whole 3 feet before it happened!

That's what shear bolts are for. Hate it happened, but at least you didn't blow up your PTO.

 

[JRHill]

When we actually get snow deep enough to clear the steep, boulder filled logging trail I use Big Bertha. I take her down the grade with the 8' bucket at least 6 inches above the road. The tires/chains mash things nicely. On the way back up I fix problem spots. I never want to hit a boulder that was deposited in the last ice age with the loader bucket. It stops a 20k machine in an instant. I hurts both the machine and me.

In the end it can make the difference between having all four pickup wheels chained with v-blocks or just two. If not plowed ya park at the bottom and walk a few miles with your groceries.

Packed snow works good until it melts and freezes in wheel ruts.

 

[Downeaster]

Yep that counts,have you tried that green slime stuff? It worked on my front that kept going down.

I installed the Green Slime in my ATV tires in 2009, and later moved the tires to a Polaris Ranger side by side. The tires show a lot of wear, but I have never had to add air to any of the 4 tires. Still on there today, and I swear by Slime.

 

[old and tired]

I will NOT use Slime any more... It blew up my tire!!! Looked like a scene from Ghosts Busters...

Also, had it in my tractor tires, when I finally had to go to tubes, it was a royal pain in the butt to clean the rims after I had slime in there.

 

[JRHill]

I will NOT use Slime any more... It blew up my tire!!! Looked like a scene from Ghosts Busters...

Also, had it in my tractor tires, when I finally had to go to tubes, it was a royal pain in the butt to clean the rims after I had slime in there.

I prefer to fix a tire/rim bead instead of using slime. But it's a thing of personal choice. When I was ranching we had pasture cactus deluxe and sometimes you couldn't see them until it was too late. Old hard tractor tires were desirable. I considered but never did do the slime thing except for one front ATV tire and it's still being used. I added the slime somewhere around 15 years ago.

But something is wrong with the above referenced post. Never have I heard of Slime deteriorating a tire causing an explosive blow out.

"... it was a royal pain in the butt to clean the rims after I had slime in there. "
This is why your wheels are the last ones to be worked on at the tire shop. But I'm guessing you don't use a tire shop too often.

 

[old and tired]

....This is why your wheels are the last ones to be worked on at the tire shop. But I'm guessing you don't use a tire shop too often.

Actually, the tire shop that I went to was pretty busy, so I took it upon myself to clean the tire before the tube was mounted. The Shop worker thanked me but I told him since I was the idiot who used it... I wanted to clean it myself.

As for the tire that popped, I did see it earlier in the day... over inflated... Cracks showing bad. I had to fill that tire that morning and I know I did not fill it that much. So, in the morning I filled it correctly. By 4 or 5 o'clock it swelling, showing the cracks bad and the explosion happened about 1 AM in the morning.

The guy staying in our camper at breakfast ask what the heck was the explosion - no else heard it and we thought he was crazy. I went down to my tractor and there was some slime on it.... actually all over it... and the house, whole underside of the deck... everywhere.

I went inside laughing my butt off... had everyone come out to see the results of the explosion...

PS. Slime was put in the tire 10 years earlier... and had been topped off at least once or twice in that time. And yes, it still needed to be aired up before use. Again, not recommended....

 

[Scottly]

Swapped out the land plane for the rear grader blade. Fueled her up.
8 to 12" of snow with sleet mixed in supposed to start in the morning.

 

[nerwin]

I will NOT use Slime any more... It blew up my tire!!! Looked like a scene from Ghosts Busters...

Also, had it in my tractor tires, when I finally had to go to tubes, it was a royal pain in the butt to clean the rims after I had slime in there.

Who you gonna call?