John Deere 401C tractor....any experience? - Page 2

MotoSook · 10-24-2011, 10:37 AM

There are a couple of attachments I plan on buying (tooth bar for excavating). There's probably something designed specifically for 55 gallon drums or I can weld something up to make getting the drums on/off the truck easier.

I was going to get one of those 3-point hitch, trailer hitch deals so I can move my trailers (and now my brother-in-law's boat) around. It would have been OK with my little Case tractor, but with the JD I can definitely make it easy to jockey stuff around.

I also have an old Clark forklift (it was used in WWII on an aircraft carrier!) that I got as part of a deal from the PO of my place. I haven't tried to start it, but it's going to need some work. Once I get it operating normally, I'll be handy for lifting the drums too.

As I told my wife and kids, my body can't take the heavy work much longer, so if I plan on being as active in my 70's I better start now....and for the cost of this equipment, I won't look back with any regrets. Even my little tractor, tiller and auger have been worth what I paid for them and more!

I'll see how the Ag tires work before I spend more money for turf wheels. I have options on where I can drive the big tractor so as to not tear up the turf around the house.

Seahawk · 10-24-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soukus

I was going to get one of those 3-point hitch, trailer hitch deals so I can move my trailers (and now my brother-in-law's boat) around. It would have been OK with my little Case tractor, but with the JD I can definitely make it easy to jockey stuff around.

The key with the attachment I linked is that you can put a ball hitch on it and move trailers while you're looking forward...hook-up is a breeze since you are staring at the trailers receiver.

I saw one at a trailer dealer five years ago when I bought my used dump trailer. One guy moved five trailer to get to mine with no help.

Bought one the next day!

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

Not so much about tearing up the turf, it's more about displacing all that weight more evenly on your rear wheels so you don't get stuck...so much. Those thin ag's will cut, the wide turf will float on top. You will need new wheels I'm pretty sure without seeing any pics.

I'm gun shy, around here the ground is moist seems like 90% of the time.

MotoSook · 10-24-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The key with the attachment I linked is that you can put a ball hitch on it and move trailers while you're looking forward...hook-up is a breeze since you are staring at the trailers receiver.

I saw one at a trailer dealer five years ago when I bought my used dump trailer. One guy moved five trailer to get to mine with no help.

Bought one the next day!

I couldn't open the link on my office computer, but now I can see it on my phone....looks like it'll come in handy.

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

Just weld your hitch ball in the center on top of your front loader bucket. You will be surprised how much you will use it and how convenient it is.

Seahawk · 10-24-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmmac

Just weld your hitch ball in the center on top of your front loader bucket. You will be surprised how much you will use it and how convenient it is.

I was going to do that but it didn't seem to be feasible on my trailers...the front leveling bars were too close.

MotoSook · 10-24-2011, 11:29 AM

I see your point about the wider tread for weight distribution. I I buy turf tires, I'll get wheels too. I think I'll need the ag tires for some of the stuff I need to do.

This is the hitch attachement I was thinking of....

King Kutter 3 Point Trailer Mover (69 Lb) at Blain's Farm & Fleet

MotoSook · 10-24-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I was going to do that but it didn't seem to be feasible on my trailers...the front leveling bars were too close.

That won't work for me either. The trailers I have are too low to hook up to the ball on top of the bucket.

I like the 3-point hitch deal as I can then just drive facing forward.

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

With the one you posted, you have to drop your implement everytime you want to use your tractor to move a trailer.....PIA.

You don't weld the ball straight up on the bucket, it's rotated back so when you use it, you have to take the bucket and rotate it forward and then go down to get to the ball to horizontal.

Not sure how far that bucket rotates forward though.

Just block your trailers up when you set them down.

MotoSook · 10-24-2011, 12:52 PM

I'll see if that will work. My little tractor may be better suited for that King Kutter deal and I can leave it on since I won't use its 3-pt much after the big one gets here.

I don't mind attaching detaching from the 3-pt hitch....I just don't want to take my belly mower deck off my Case-Intl when I want to till some dirt. THAT is a pain in yhe ass. The new tractor makes this a moot point.

MotoSook · 10-28-2011, 03:42 PM

Got the tractor home today. Play with it a little. Its got anlittle hydraulic leak near the bucket controls. I'll Check it out tomorrow. Engine is great. Starts easy everytime when the batteries haveenough charge. So ill need some new hoses and batteries to start.