Ep. 45 - Increase Stability in Your Tractor and Grapple Clearing at Blackacre Ranch

We begin clearing land with the root rake grapple and explain the confusion behind the third function valve operation on the John Deere 5075e. We also discuss lateral stability in the tractor and how we decided to widen our tractor footprint by adjusting tires. This will come in handy as we remove stumps with the tractor and root rake grapple.

Tractors are not the most stable machines. My land is sloped and a lot of its terrain is unknown beneath vegetation. We have unexpected dips and bumps on slopes. Tractor safety is important and feeling safe is part of that. It became important to increase the lateral stability of the tractor. Options exist to widen the track of the front wheels. A common approach is to use wheel spacers between the tire and the wheel hub to push the tires outward. We decided rather to swap the front tires to locate the offset outward from the tractor as opposed to inward as seen from the factory. Widening the tires provided a noticeable increase in lateral stability when using the grapple.

There was confusion about the third function set up on the John Deere 5075e which made us think it was not working. At time of purchase I asked for a third function valve. John Deere gave me a third function diverter valve instead. This meant not all the buttons operated as understood. The diverter valve does not allow simultaneous function of the grapple and the curling function of the joystick. You manually select the function you want through the small button which diverts hydraulic fluid to either function. A full third function allows simultaneous operation of both curling and grapple functions. We are working with John Deere to get a true third function valve, which apparently they do not make.

Here on Blackacre Ranch we are weekend ranchers living in the big city during the week and ranching on the partially off grid property on the weekend. We are a family with 6 kids. Our goals are to homestead the property, grow healthy food, and build good character along the way. We are new to homesteading and don't know much about it, but we are willing to share our struggles and journey as we learn how to homestead together. Think of this as homesteading for beginners where we are the beginners.

We found the cost of an urban farm too expensive and went rural to find enough acreage to do what we wanted. We wanted larger animals such as bison and highland cattle. We are game for other animals with one requirement, they have to be sufficient enough to be handled only once a week. We found an old camp property that was run down and are remodeling or fixing it up to be a working and profitable ranch.

Now we can play with guns, blow stuff up, build what we want, and do what interests us. We are located in East Texas. Come with us as we enjoy the ranch life, even if only one day a week.

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