Finally Washed my Tractor (sort of non-walk)

[carolinarider09]

I don't wash the bikes, I wipe them down.  Why, past experiences with water getting into spots I would rather it not get into.

Same with my 1998 MF-1250 tractor.  I use to wash it frequently (it was used weekly if not daily for many years).  However, there were some things that occurred that could have only been the result of water intrusion, among those lost of Fuel Tank Level indication.  

So, today, after maybe five or so years, I finally gave it a wash.  

[Robert]

Wax and clay bar and dont forget the detail and clean the interior

[Jess from VA]

The two tricks I use to wash bikes or other things I worry about water with are:

1) I only use a gentle (low power) wide spray, not a hard concentrated stream (except for the wheels).

2)  As soon as I'm done washing and rinsing, I get out my gas blower (Stihl backpack BL 600, 200mph) and go to town full power and get every bit of water off (and out of internals).  

And then go for a quick ride and run to heat it up and fully dry.

Nice tractor. 

[carolinarider09]

Thanks.  And I never thought about the "blow dryer" thing. 

I have one, might give it a shot next time. 

[old2soon]

        Went through a fairly new car wash in Wet Plains yesterday as my Pancho was Filthy. You stay in the cage thru the wash. Just Before you roll out you go through a damn large powerful blow dryer. When I pulled around to use the vacum and after I was done there were Not large puddles of water under my cage. Been meanin to git some sort of leaf blower for Phatt Ghurl.  Well She Are SPECIAL!  RIDE SAFE.

[..]

Thanks.  And I never thought about the "blow dryer" thing. 

I have one, might give it a shot next time. 

Bring the blower down to the bike not up from the ground blowing crap onto the bike 

[sandy]

Cleaner or dirty, does she think your tractor’s sexy?

PS +1 on using a leaf blower after a wash.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks.  And I never thought about the "blow dryer" thing. 

I have one, might give it a shot next time. 

Bring the blower down to the bike not up from the ground blowing crap onto the bike 

Blow from the top, down.  Gravity is a thing. 

[csj]

Gravity Sucks.

[carolinarider09]

Gravity Sucks.

[Rams]

Had a Ford Diesel 4WD, Hydrostatic transmission since 1988, bought it for myself as a birthday present to me.   No idea how many hours are on it, the hour meter broke years ago.

Don't think I ever washed it although it did get stored inside it's whole life.   Sold it this summer cause I wanted something bigger.   Bought a Kubota with twice the HP.   Still 4WD, Hydrostatic but this one has an FEL and a six foot finish mower.   Absolutely love it and it's Orange color.      After mowing with it this morning, I decided to wash it and the mower.   Talk about a coincidence.     Dang she looks good.  Some day I may figure out how to posts pics but......................

Rams   

[carolinarider09]

For the last three or so years, her main job was mowing with a bush hog rotary mower.  It was ok and did all the stuff I wanted but I kept the Ag tires on the tractor and they, while providing great traction, do tend to make an impression on the ground. 

So, she has been sort of relegated to odd jobs since I got my zero turn mower. Still trying to find some work for her on a more frequent basis. 

[Jess from VA]

My brother uses his old Farmall M for all kinds of duties, with it's power takeoff.  Though mainly a bushhog that will mow down anything.  He can hire himself out to do two size post holes or hook up a portable saw mill.

This thing is a monster.  He told me before I drove it (in low gear), it will run right through a house, so don't aim it at my house and fall off. I have no idea how one changes a rear tire.


Also has a midsize Massey Ferguson and a small Ford. (and an aircraft tug and a road grater and a dump truck and 15K lb Hyster forklift)  The dump truck has no brakes, but he says it's OK at slow speeds.  

Each has their own duties, but I think he just loves to buy old equipment and fix it up to work again.

[Rams]

I have no idea how one changes a rear tire.

Changing that rear AG tire kind of depends on whether or not it's filled with calcium liquid, beat juice or air.   If it's air, that's not too bad.   If it's liquid, call your local tire dealership for AG stuff and let them do it.   Don't ask me how I know this...........   

Rams

[Jess from VA]

I think my brother keeps a mix of antifreeze and water in them.  A little safer in the leans.

[carolinarider09]

Yes, I was told when I bought the tractor or found out that the rear tires are partially filled with water to add weight. 

And when I had to get new tires on the rear, I did call someone to come do it.  I know they did refill them (the rear tires) with water but did not watch 100% to see if the antifreeze was added. 

[Jess from VA]

Does it ever hard freeze down there?   (not just 32* at night)

[cookiedough]

past 2 years really neglecting the washing of the cycles and scooters I have only 1-2 times per year is all, but dealing with hip issues not driven any of them much either, but the dust builds up after over 1 year of not washing them pretty ugly looking.    More so worried about the carbs being issues sitting that long as well.

as far as washing cycles, I never use a garden hose or any high pressure water ever.  If filthy like they are now,  I use a cotton cloth filled with lots of water and very very gently so as to not put swirl marks or more fine scratches in the paint,   wipe the first layer of dust/dirt off, then go again in a bucket of car wash and do that area in sections 3-4 x's then wipe clean area at a time with a chamois cloth. 

I find I get them clean enough that if still bugs and spots,  a wax on paint and turtle wax chrome polish on the chrome makes the cycles sparkle near spotless.   I do wax/chrome polish the entire cycle usually all at once then dry cotton cloth rub gently the wax/polish off.

[carolinarider09]

Does it ever hard freeze down there?   (not just 32* at night)

Yes we have have several days of 20 degree lows, usually warms up above freezing. 

I guess I could "sample" the "air" in the tire and see. I guess I just trusted the guy doing the work..

[Rams]

Does it ever hard freeze down there?   (not just 32* at night)

I would imagine some of the northern and mountainous areas of NC get hard freezes from time to time, haven't spent enough time there during winter to have worried about it.

Here in Hattiesburg, MS, a hard freeze here would equate to hell freezing over.    The rural water district water lines are from 2 to 4 inches below the grass.    Where their's meet mine the depth drops to about 3.5 feet.   Ain't gonna have my water lines bust for any reason.     That doesn't mean ya don't need a bit more weight/traction here from time to time.   The tires on my Kubota are filled with air but, would bet there are liquid filled tractor tires in the area.   Never thought to ask.
I got up and mowed as the sun was coming up this morning to beat the forecasted 108* heat index.   Was done well before it got over 100*.   Being an early riser has it's benefits.  

Rams

[Avanti]

My father washed, did paint touch up and wax all tractors, grain wagons, trucks, and combine before putting them away at the end of every season. People can from long distances to his farm equipment sale. He never did quit farming, he just move on to new land.

[carolinarider09]

past 2 years really neglecting the washing of the cycles and scooters I have only 1-2 times per year is all, but dealing with hip issues not driven any of them much either, but the dust builds up after over 1 year of not washing them pretty ugly looking.    More so worried about the carbs being issues sitting that long as well.

as far as washing cycles, I never use a garden hose or any high pressure water ever.  If filthy like they are now,  I use a cotton cloth filled with lots of water and very very gently so as to not put swirl marks or more fine scratches in the paint,   wipe the first layer of dust/dirt off, then go again in a bucket of car wash and do that area in sections 3-4 x's then wipe clean area at a time with a chamois cloth. 

I find I get them clean enough that if still bugs and spots,  a wax on paint and turtle wax chrome polish on the chrome makes the cycles sparkle near spotless.   I do wax/chrome polish the entire cycle usually all at once then dry cotton cloth rub gently the wax/polish off.

Thats much more than I do.  I use a "Honda" spray and just wipe it down.  I have a spray for a different spray for leather and a different one for vinyl and one just for plexiglass.  All hand done.  

Did use a pressure washer once, many years ago, on my ST1300.  Thats why I never use a "spray" from a hose

[Rams]

My father washed, did paint touch up and wax all tractors, grain wagons, trucks, and combine before putting them away at the end of every season. People can from long distances to his farm equipment sale. He never did quit farming, he just move on to new land.

Real farmers don't die, they just move on to greener pastures that they plow.     

Rams

[MarkT]

I had the dealer add a liquid called Bio-Ballast to the Kubota rear tires.  Added 194# to the tractor weight.  Stays liquid down to -30°f.  Non corrosive.  Has advantages over some of the other products - calcium chloride, beet juice etc.  Doesn't get nearly so cold here as it does in some other northern places - like WI where I came from, design temps there for buildings were 20° colder IIRC.  Water lines have to be buried at least 4 ft back then, don't know current code requirements.

Washing vehicles - bad for the connectors re: rust. And any seals esp if using pressure washer.  I rarely wash bikes - generally blow dust off with an air gun and clean with Honda polish/cleaner & microfiber rags.  I have seen the results of excessive washing - siezed and broken connectors; has caused me unexpected and excessive work repairing broken connectors from those who wash a lot.  Have never washed my Kubota except under the mower deck.  And then no washing towards the bearings.  Knock the accumulated grass clippings off with an air chisel.

At the Kubota dealer, 12 miles from the ranch so I don't need to haul it over there with a HD trailer - which I don't have.  Just pull a Valk, leave the tractor for shop work,  then the Valk can pull the empty trailer.  There, now this is Valkyrie related.

[Rams]

Reversing the two could be interesting. 

Rams

[carolinarider09]

I had the dealer add a liquid called Bio-Ballast to the Kubota rear tires.  Added 194# to the tractor weight.  Stays liquid down to -30°f.  Non corrosive.  Has advantages over some of the other products - calcium chloride, beet juice etc.  Doesn't get nearly so cold here as it does in some other northern places - like WI where I came from, design temps there for buildings were 20° colder IIRC.  Water lines have to be buried at least 4 ft back then, don't know current code requirements.

Washing vehicles - bad for the connectors re: rust. And any seals esp if using pressure washer.  I rarely wash bikes - generally blow dust off with an air gun and clean with Honda polish/cleaner & microfiber rags.  I have seen the results of excessive washing - siezed and broken connectors; has caused me unexpected and excessive work repairing broken connectors from those who wash a lot.  Have never washed my Kubota except under the mower deck.  And then no washing towards the bearings.  Knock the accumulated grass clippings off with an air chisel.

At the Kubota dealer, 12 miles from the ranch so I don't need to haul it over there with a HD trailer - which I don't have.  Just pull a Valk, leave the tractor for shop work,  then the Valk can pull the empty trailer.  There, now this is Valkyrie related.

 

[Valkorado]

At the Kubota dealer, 12 miles from the ranch so I don't need to haul it over there with a HD trailer - which I don't have.  Just pull a Valk, leave the tractor for shop work,  then the Valk can pull the empty trailer.  There, now this is Valkyrie related.

I'll bet that got a few double takes on the way!

[Avanti]

Well that makes it difficult to get a speeding ticket with a Valkyrie.