I got an IRON deckhand to help me with my sawing!

loudsam · February 17, 2006, 09:02:10 PM

I am SO happy today! I went to a tractor dealer in the area and found a terrific deal on a David Brown 1212 diesel tractor. It's got a dynamite all hydraulic Case Front end loader, power steering, Dual trac tire chains, brand new adjustable width pallet forks, 65 horsepower and only 2700 hours on the tractor. Wide front tires, of course. It's a great looking tractor that's been well maintained. I knew I wouldn't get far without a way to move logs around. I even broke down and bought some cant hooks. Life is SO good! I have plenty of other work, (besides sawing logs), to do around the place and this ole girl is going to save me some work! 8) I can hardly wait to drive my tractor passed my neighbors farm when they deliver it, (for free), next Monday! ;D I gotta give some thanks though to my Brother-in Law, and partner, "loggerson", (on the forum), for advising me during my purchase and prior to it since I have no experience with tractors or logging and he knows alot about both. Thanks Ed!

I had a GREAT morning!

loggerson · February 17, 2006, 09:56:35 PM

that what im hey for
doug

loudsam · February 17, 2006, 09:58:56 PM

You better break out your longjohns Ed, we're going to have some work to do! :D

jpgreen · February 17, 2006, 10:33:20 PM

Congrats Doug..

I remember how excited I was when I got Biscuit... my little Kubota..

loudsam · February 17, 2006, 10:42:20 PM

Thanks JPGreen! I feel like a kid, I don't think I can contain myself till they get it here next Monday! I bought a Corvette once and I'm more excited and happy about this acquisition than I was about that Corvette! Now, all I have to do is learn how to drive it, and learn how to saw logs, and I'll probably have to learn a whole lot of other things. So, expect a LOT of questions!

Doug

Dana · February 18, 2006, 07:13:52 AM

Congratulations on that tractor. 8) Don't forget the photo's on Monday when it's delivered. I don't remember if you said its a diesel. If it is, park her close to an electric outlet if its as cold there as it is here. Plug in 2 or 3 hours before starting usually does the trick when its near or just below zero.

loudsam · February 18, 2006, 07:53:45 AM

Hi Dana, Yea, the ole girls oil fired. The temps dropped to 28 below last night. I've even got the Dodge plugged in. I'm going to clear a spot inside where I'll keep the David Brown. Maybe in the living room! ;D Thanks for the Congrats! I'll take pictures when it gets here!!!

Doug

wiam · February 18, 2006, 05:48:30 PM

I have been around a David Brown for close to thirty years. What year is yours? This one will not start if it is not plugged in if it is under 50 degrees.

Will

loggerson · February 18, 2006, 06:10:36 PM

its a 1975

Chris Burchfield · February 18, 2006, 06:34:43 PM

Congradulations on the tractor. I told wife after Kenny Chesney wrote "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" I wanted a tractor instead of a Bass Boat.

loudsam · February 18, 2006, 07:24:58 PM

Quote from: wiam on February 18, 2006, 05:48:30 PM
I have been around a David Brown for close to thirty years. What year is yours? This one will not start if it is not plugged in if it is under 50 degrees.

Will

Other then hard starting, how have you liked the tractor? This David Brown came off of a Dairy/Beef farm. The dealer knew the previous owner. Everyone knows everyone in this area. Whatever he used it for, he sure didn't use it much, by the looks of it. We'll just have to keep it plugged in. It's a 1975. Thanks for the heads-up on the starting problem.

Doug

jpgreen · February 18, 2006, 07:26:15 PM

4WD?

loudsam · February 18, 2006, 07:28:19 PM

No, I'm afraid not JPGreen. It's 2wd. The chains should help some, at least getting it through the snow.

Doug

scsmith42 · February 18, 2006, 07:36:01 PM

Doug, congrats on the new member of your family!

If the forks will pick up more weight than the back end of the tractor will offset, you can add a concrete counterweight to the three point hitch.

Looking forward to the pix.

Scott

loudsam · February 18, 2006, 07:51:40 PM

Thanks Scott! The loader, to me, looks like it means business. It's a Case loader, looks like it came from the factory with it. I'll know what it'll do with a log on it in a couple of days. May need the counter weight like you advised. I'm thinking of loading the mill on a trailer, and putting the trailer on the tractor, and driving over to the property where I'm buying the logs from, and doing some sawing there to see what I've got. ;)

wiam · February 18, 2006, 09:12:29 PM

The hard starting was an issue for a lot of years but a couple years ago I put a new glowplug in it, and with this it started down to about 10 degrees without plugging in.

This was a late sixties 996. Make sure your tires are loaded. With these chains and loaded tires it would go about anywhere in the snow. It now has a noisy engine and I have another tractor.

Will

loudsam · February 19, 2006, 01:36:13 AM

Hey Will, thanks for the info. This might sound silly but, can I load the tires myself or do I have to have it done?

My Mom grew up on a farm. My luck, I'll have to ask her to teach me how to drive it! Am I pathetic, or what?

Doug

scsmith42 · February 19, 2006, 08:51:32 AM

Doug, typically a tractor dealer would load the tires for you. The tool to do it is cheap (ten bucks or so at an agricultural supply house), but the cost is in purchasing the glycol in bulk. I am aware of antifreeze and calcium chloride being used, but the glycol seems to be the most popular option around here (cost and longevity reasons).

Scott

loudsam · February 19, 2006, 08:59:28 AM

Thanks for the info Scott! The David Brown, minus the loader is around 6000 lbs, from what I've been able to ascertain. You mentioned earlier that added weight in the rear end would probably help me in lifting with the loader. If the tires aren't already loaded on my tractor, (which I know NOT), then it would seem that loading them would be a good idea??? The tractor is still at the dealers so I could probably get them to perform that while it's there. How much, offhand, (ball park figure), do you think it would cost? And what about in the summer when the ground is soft, more damage to the ground? Thanks in advance!!!

Doug

WH_Conley · February 19, 2006, 09:38:00 AM

Had all 4 tires on my 7000 Ford loaded a couple of years ago, cost me $140.00. That was coming to the farm, providing the calcium and labor.

loudsam · February 19, 2006, 10:42:38 AM

Thanks WH_Conley! Doesn't sound like it would cost me too much if I just had them do it before they delivered my David Brown. For a 2wd tractor, do they usually just load the rears?

Doug

sawguy21 · February 19, 2006, 10:54:09 AM

I was the snomobile mechanic and gofer at a farm equipment dealership in the mid 70's. Unloading tractor tires so they could be repaired was a miserable job. The reversing switch on the pump didn't work so I had to disconnect the hose and turn the pump around. The calcium retty much destroyed my coveralls and I sure found burns and cuts in a hurry. If you want to do it at home, a swimming pool pump will work with a clip on tire chuck. Remove the tire valve core. Be careful, those tires are HEAVY.

Dana · February 19, 2006, 11:06:17 AM

Just a suggestion. Do Not use cloride in the tires. It causes corrosion and eventually will rust out the rim. There is a product out there called Rim Guard which is a by product of some fermintation process, beer I think. A lot of other non-corrosive fluids available. I would spend the extra 20 bucks a tire for the non-corrosive myself. If the dealership cant get it, most farm areas have mobile trucks that can come to your house and fill there. Our tractors are 2wd and get along pretty good in the snow with chains and the rear tires filled.

loudsam · February 19, 2006, 12:02:20 PM

Thanks for the info Sawguy! And, a very good point about the corrosion Dana. I think when I call in the morning, I'll mention some type of non-corrosive fluid they might have for the tires. I sure am glad I've got YOUS to ask questions of. Every morning I wake up, and my plans are bigger and more complicated than the day before. My brother in law was asked by a friend of the family if we would saw 20 to 30 cords of some kind of Cedar. I told him to ask the guy if he would want to share it. With all my "planning", it might be a good idea to learn something about sawing. I don't think coming across lots of timber to saw is going to be any problem up here where I live! The problem might be; How do I graciously turn down work??? Thanks for help!

Doug

beenthere · February 19, 2006, 12:59:57 PM

loudsam
As this is a farm tractor, I'd be surprised if the tires are not already loaded. You can find that out when you call. I'd not go to the expense of changing from calcium chloride if its what is already in them, however.
The Rim Guard is heavier and is a product of beets (sugar beets I believe) and is a relatively new product.
I use windshield washer fluid for weight, and it works well. Probably slush below -20°F, so may not work in the colder climate you have up in that 'banana' belt by Lake Superior.