Yes!! I bought a 36V Makita chainsaw I love foir this very reason.
I have this siphon for the tractor’s diesel fuel cans. When the can has a full 5 gallons this siphon allows me to add to the tractor without spilling fuel everywhere. Once the can is down to 2 or 3 gallons I can easily pour the rest in.
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Why not just wrap some rope round the pull handle ?
I was actually trolling this thread specifically to see if anyone mentioned a battery operated chainsaw. I detest pull start machines! Thanks for sharing!
We have a makita battery chainsaw, it uses 2 20v batteries. It’s a stout little thing for many smaller trees and limbs.
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Great topic! We have an older 50 HP Ford 3930. We have never, ever, put down the ROPS and never will, because we added a roof/sun shade to it. I don’t understand why you’d be taking it up and down often.
I can and will hook up all the implements to the tractor myself if necessary, and so will my husband, but the fact of the matter is it’s always easier with two people, otherwise you’re getting on and off the tractor a lot. All the implements are stored on blocks, and the PTO and the drive shaft for the bushhog are greased and well maintained.
The best modification ever made to our tractor, and one of the very favorite things my spouse has made for me, is an extra step on the side of the tractor. If you are hooking up yourself and have to climb up and down multiple times, that additional step really saves the knees and back.
I agree that fueling is a bi&*(. Again, we’ve both done it ourselves, but it’s easier with two people. The method is 1.) take off fuel cap and position funnel. 2.) Climb up on tractor holding fuel can 3.) Balance fuel can on hood of tractor 4.) Open fuel can and tip towards funnel. 5.) Lift fuel can to drain the last gallon or so 5.) Wipe up spilled diesel. With two people, one of us hands up the fuel can to the person standing on the tractor.
I am going to investigate Bluey’s fuel can suggestion.
In re: pull starts. I’m not a fan either, but I can certainly start the weed eater, chain saw, power washer, leaf blower and generator. No, I don’t do the macho chain saw start in mid air, I put it on the ground or balance it on a ledge. The biggest advantage that I have is a spouse who is a pretty good small engine mechanic. If it takes more than three pulls to start a pull start device, something’s wrong. Usually old fuel, sometimes spark plug, sometime dirty carbuerator. If everything starts on the first or second pull, I can manage just fine without getting exhausted.
It’s a morbid joke, but I often tell DD that the first things I will do when he’s no longer around is 1.) install a whole house propane generator (I hate starting and hooking up our current gasoline one) and 2.) enter into a yearly maintence contract with our mechanic where he’ll come to the farm and perform routine service on all the equipment, including the small stuff.
Note: I am 5’7", DH is 5’8". My upper body strength is pretty good, but we are both in our 60s with bad knees and bad backs. We are both looking for ways to work smarter.
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One reason I bought a John Deere instead of a Kabota is that the foot petals were at a better height.
It is not just large equipment either. Dewormers max my hand out and if the horse is hard to deworm it is about all I can do to push the plunger.
