I tried the neighbor's "Grasshopper" ZT and loved it, but it wouldn't pull itself out of my ditch, and was a bit scary near my creek ravine with me not completely comfortable with the controls. It probably mows better, and easier than my JD 955, but won't do everything else I need to do, like moving my 32' TT through the yard, pulling trees out the creek, or cleaning horse stalls, hauling hay, and stone. If I lived on a large executive lot in town, I would own a ZT.

Thanks Paul for sticking with me, even after not following all of the consistant and good advice here.

I'll forward those details to you once I've got that info in hand. I'm not sure that the existing pump is enough to to power the FEL. So some guidance will be helpfull.

Good tip on the front tires too, Ill follow thru on that.

I'm trying to think of it like driving an aircooled Porsche. Old school and not all that convient compared to modern cars.

Cheers Richard.

Fixed your post.

I can guarantee there is not a soul here that is not on your squad for this effort. There are times when budget is uber alles, we all get that.

wdfifteen is a much better source than I am on all things tractors. He can point you in the right direction.

I had the local MF dealer do all my FEL mods to the old MF 235 over 20 years ago..he let me watch and participate. Hard to kill tractor engines, easy to contaminate hydraulic systems.

Good luck, my friend.

Oooooh... you know your'e still thinking about them :D

I have an ancient ford 650 with a fel to move manure, so old no downpressure hydro on the bucket. Calcium filled tires are a must. I also have an early 90's JD 670 that I 've had since new that my ex insisted that I leave with her. Just picked it back up, serviced it and put it to work.

As to mowing, I used to do 4 acres with the 670 and a 60in belly mower, and it was a pain. Luckily I had a quicktach for the loader and could lose the bucket, but even then it was dog slow compared to a good zt.

If you are just going to mow, zt all day. If you need to move landscape, then a tractor, obviously. For snow removal, I'm not a loader fan-you either need a tractor with a killer rear blower or a truck with a plow. Nice setup is what my neighbor has-a used 4x Gator with a plow.

I even have the “traction kit” on my grasshopper and if the grass is wet or the ground is soft it is like a hog on ice. They make a snow blower for them. I have no idea why.

I have a snow bucket on the front of my Kubota and a blade on the back. I’ve tried a lot of ways to move snow. So far it’s my favorite. A truck with a plow is great for getting from job to job. They don’t pile snow well though. A Gator with a plow in tight places is an exercise in frustration.

My front-mounted blower makes me look forward to winter almost.

But how can she make sammiches for ya if she's outside blowing snow ;)?

So you purchased the refurbished Ford ? And the FEL you had a pic of ?

Front mounted blower is the only way to go when moving snow! I had a back mounted blower before the switch to front. Hated sitting side ways for an hour and trying to play the wind! would be covered with snow and freezing my arss off when done. With the heat cranked in the cab, off comes the coat, hat and gloves. Wipers take care of any snow on the front and rear windows and just sit back and listen to the radio now!
Here I am clearing a foot of fresh snow off of our 90'x140' ice rink with the 60" front blower.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1520085583.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1520085583.jpg

Outside?

Snow?

;)

With regard to snow-blowing, my soft-sided cab doesn't have heat and I don't really seem to need it.

My problem is I end up doing the neighbors' driveways and half the length of the road. Can't help myself it's so much fun!

Von is correct. Effectively moving snow is best accomplished comfortably facing forward and with a 2 stage blower (unless you work for the railroad). After that it's a matter of scale. However, I will admit to being disappointed that a Unimog at work was not featured in his post here.:)

Yes I did. The tractor is a 1985. Ford 1910 model. That does have a three point hitch on the back that has hydrolic control lift.

The FEL is a Bush Hog model 2245 qt. bush hog no longer supports this old model or supplies the mounting hardware. I do have the factory specs for the mounting hardware. I'm hoping to track down an existing mounting kit. Failing that will have the brackets made at a machine shop.
Any one have ideas about tracking down that mounting kit?

I'm trying to find a shop that can do the install and replace the hydrolic hoses etc.

I also have to figure out the hydrolics needed to support the FEL. And determine if the existing pump is up to the task. There are aux hydrolic ports under the seat. So there is some capibility there.

In the mean time I'll get some new front tires, sort out a leak in the rear axel that has turned up. Planning on cleaning and painting the FEL. Wire brush and lube the hose connections in prep for replacement.

It's a chore for sure, but I have more time than money, so here I go.

Cheers Richard

Your loader will function with the on board tractor hyd. pump but it will be slow.
My M.F. tractor is plumbed that way and works fine (but slow). At some point i'd like to get a PTO driven pump with a higher GPM to speed things up.

There's a sweet spot in engine rpms where it puts the most power into the hydraulic pump. On newer tractors, the higher the rpms the quicker the actuation. To a point. A relief valve prevents loader arms from getting bent out of shape. Noisie little bugger that sounds like gears are grinding when no gears are being used but squeakier.

I made some good progress on the loader today. Got it well scrubbed down. Plenty Of surface rust here and there to wire brush down for painting.
Was able to loosen all of the hose connections, then snugged them up again.
Went along the hoses and freed the clamps. It's now ready for a flush and all new hoses.

Also cleaned the control box, it looks pretty good.

I'd sure like to find the mounting brackets and hardware somewhere.

Cheers Richard

Well good for you hey you have to start somewhere ! I'm also in the process of looking for something just a little bigger than my current JD 317 and 330 . In a perfect world I would find a JD 430 in good shape and be done . Good luck with your project I'm sure you will get it all figured out .

Yep this is a starting rig for me. I do remember riding with my grandfather on his tractor when I was about 4/ 5 yo. Don't think I've been on one since.

I think I may have found a factory mounting kit, found a company that list it online.
Will have to call on Monday, that will be a great step forward if so. They may have hose kits too. Whew, sure hope they have these parts in stock!

Cheers Richard