Tried to do some mowing today, and someone had detached the brush hog from the big tractor, and the diesel was low. Ladies, do you refill the diesel yourself? Do you connect the brush hog yourself? I like to think I am reasonably strong but these are two tasks that frustrate me and seem to require more muscle than I have. Looking for pep talk, pointers, or commiseration.
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I refill the diesel myself in our small tractor (JD 2032R).
When we had a rear mount brush hog on our old tractor it was a PITA to get the PTO connection right and it was a two person job with a lot of cursing. Learned there is a way to unlock the PTO on the tractor so we could turn it manually. Was still a pain but one of us could do it.
Everything on the current tractor is a “quick” attachment, still a little finicky but I have no issues doing it without SO’s help.
Edit to add, I do tend to prefer the diesel cans not be all the way full - 4 gallons is more manageable.
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Yes, I use a Pat’s Easy change on my three point which greatly improves the process of dropping and picking up implements. As for the Diesel I’m afraid using smaller containers and a step ladder are my only work arounds.
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I do both. The PTO is for sure a struggle sometimes and I used to not be able to do it at all or without a battle, but kind of figured out a way.
I often remove the upper link to give myself space to work. Then I face the rear of the tractor and straddle the shaft so I can support some of its weight with my knees and use both hands (wearing work gloves because of the grease) to get the connection. I’ve learned how to slowly spin the shaft and feel for where the gears align. Once they align I push the whole shaft away from me (with my legs plus palms, while pulling the collar towards me with the fingers of one hand). I don’t know if that description makes any sense or whether all PTOs hook up the same, but that’s what I’ve learned to do. It does suck.
I also have the Pat’s, which helps immensely with changing implements, but doesn’t help with connecting the PTO shaft itself.
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I’ve got a JD3320 and am able to refuel but does has me lifting more than I want/should. No way on the PTO. I’ve tried. DH gets it but still a struggle for him and he’s strong.
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I gave up and bought a tractor just for the brush hog. It’s been worth the investment over 30 years to me.
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Yes.
But - DH built some excellent dollies (imagine small, sturdy pallets on casters) that we set the mowing deck on before we unhook it. There is no muscling that thing around, even with two people. But now it’s on wheels and sitting on the driveway so we can wheel it into position and it’s much easier to hook up the PTO and lift arms.
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It is doable, but takes a bit of effort. I have the Pats on my tractor which makes things easier. Dropping the implement pins on the Pats holders is easier, faster than of having to unscrew arm turnbuckles for length or height, poke the pins thru the rotating ball at the end of the tractor arms, readjust all the turnbuckles to get things level again when finally hitched up
Husband thought having a rear quik-hitch on the arms would make hitching easier but it did not. Easy to connect the implement pins, but reaching thru the quik-hitch to connect the PTO was impossible!! Like Libby, I need to push PTO shaft on with my knees under the guard, while hands hold collar back to get shaft on ALL THE WAY, before release. Then I pull shaft back to ensure it is locked on the PTO of tractor. My arms and knees could not reach far enough thru with that rear quik-hitch unit on the tractor. Sorry husband, it had to come off! Then got resold, he didn’t lIke using it either!!.
I heard about the Pats connectors here on COTH, got some and love them!! Do not waste your money on the spacer bar from Pats. Supposed to hold arms of hitch in place for connecting to equipment. Mine popped off several times as it hit the PTO shaft or hitch when using the drawbar. Had to get off tractor and push arm in place by hand. Bent easily, cheap metal. I gave up on it. Also skip getting Pats fancy bent washers to fit under the locking pin clips on the implement pins. For the money, just buy a dozen or so plain big washers that fit your equipment pins. Put a couple of the washers behind the locking clips on the pins to prevent locking pins getting sprung off and lost.
It was very odd to be going along and have the locking pin disappear and tractor arm with Pats holder fall off the mower or other equipment I was using! Those fancy washers disappeared too, even painting them blue. Way too expensive to keep buying them! So I started with putting the Pats holder on the implement pins, then 3-4 plain, big washers on the equipment pin, then locking pin outside the washers when using the implements. MAGIC, no more lost locking pins or equipment coming loose!
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My tractor is little, JD 1025r, I can easily refill the diesel. I use smaller 5 gallon cans, 10 gallons kill my shoulder. The brush hog is harder but as long as I have my long metal pipe to use as a lever to move it around I can do it.
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Yeah, I do both of these things with fair regularity, but I also do stuff that’s a little crazy like build dry stack stone walls, and put in fencing with hand tools.
There’s no shame in needing help.
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Next time you have the rotary cutter all hooked up, park on a level surface and measure for a stand of some sort that the PTO shaft will rest on. Then next hookup, lift the PTO shaft, rest it on the stand, and it acts as a support so all you have to do is worry about the collar. The stand can be as simple as a block of lumber cut to be at the right height to support the weight of the shaft and keep the PTO shaft lined up with the tractor PTO.
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I do it all myself but I really struggle with connecting implements. It takes way longer than it should and involves sweat and swearing. I’m about to order some of those easy connect things (Pat’s?). Recently it took me at least 2 hours over two days to connect the tiller that had come off at a weird angle when a pin broke. I couldn’t get the tractor level with the pins. Eventually I ended up digging under one side of it to lower it the 2" or so I needed to get both sides connected.
For the diesel can, I lift it up to the tractor fender, then climb up myself, transfer it so it’s resting on the steering wheel when I pour it in.
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I got a two step stepstool to stand on and fill the tractor diesel tank. I also use 5 gallon fuel cans or do not fill the 6 gallon cans full. Too much weight to be hoisting that high.
I put the can on the stepstool, then step myself up on the top step, bend knees, hoist the can onto tractor hood. I use a big funnel in the diesel tank hole, remove the screw-on can spout and pour the fuel into the funnel. I may need to stop and check the tank by looking in to see how full it is, before I get it filled. Then take my rag and wipe up any drips, screw on the can spout and the tank cap firmly.
Fuel can should be considerably lighter now to set on the top step of stepstool. Then I step down to the ground and return fuel can to our storage location.
We have various height tractors, so the stepstool is very handy. Placing fuel can in the top step makes lifting it much easier onto the tractor hood. I don’t carry the can as I get up on the stepstool, too heavy lifting me and can with my knees! Save your body when possible!
Putting less fuel in a can to make it manageable for YOU, is good thinking. Guys are usually stronger, let THEM fight with a full 6 gallon can!! Or you can pour some fuel into a second can from the full 6 gallon one, which lets you manage the fuel weight without hurting yourself refilling the tractor.
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I can and have done both myself but it’s a pain.
Getting on and off the tractor (Ford 3930) to get the hitch lined up just right is a pain, and the PTO can be difficult too.
I lift the 5 gallon can of diesel first to the step, then to the hood of the tractor, then I climb onto the tractor, open the can and fill.
Both DH and I much prefer to have help doing either task, both of us can do it alone if we have to.
A dolly to rest the bush hog on is an absolutely brilliant; I can’t wait to mention it to DH.
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I can muscle a 10 gal fuel container, but to make sure the fuel goes into the tractor and not all over it, I bought a really, really big funnel --solved all my fueling problems. I don’t have a brush hog (my big pasture is too hilly to mow safely and the small three acre pastures are mowed with the belly mower). DH is a great guy, but all tractor related concerns are mine --since I bought it. He wanted a 0 Turn mower for our yard and said I “could use it” for my pastures --nope. Love my Kubota!
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I can do the diesel myself. Easier with a big funnel, I recently found. I cannot attach the PTO by myself, it’s a royal PITA. I want to get a quick connect attachment to make it easier!
ETA: mostly not due to the actual strength required, I don’t think it is that great. more because it is awkward and four hands make it easier than 2.
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I lift a full drum off the truck with a boom on the tractor and fill with one of these.
https://www.zoro.com/fill-rite-hand-operated-drump-pump-rotary-10-gpm-fr150/i/G4316037/
Boom;
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Yes. I do both these things. But there’s a learning curve. You have to find your own methods of doing stuff without the use of brute force. Sometimes it takes a while. It’s not easy for anyone… so if you think that females are the only ones who fight with machinery, think again. I’m always careful with how I store the implements that I use on the tractor, keep them level, and propped up at the right height to hitch back up again.
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I do all the tractor work myself (or have the local dealership do it).
The SO has never driven the thing in the over15 years I’ve owned it.
Doesn’t drive the lawn tractor either.
I’m the groundskeeper.
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We rarely drop the bush hog, we both hate wrestling it back on.
I can put diesel in it (JD4250) but it’s a hassle. More often I put DH and the can on the deck of the bush hog and give him a lift by raising it lol.
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