Anticipation for new 1026R

Welcome to the Deere Herd!

We are really glad you joined us. And, you are starting out just right. You'll find these things are something to grow into. We all started with our first tractor and learning is the most fun part. :yahoo: Once you get it you will ask yourself "why'd I wait so long?" and so will the wife. ALSO, you'll find uses for your equipment you had never dreamed of, especially the FEL. OR, tasks you didn't think you would ever tackle. We are all here for you to ask the many questions you will have as you discover your new equipment. Again, welcome and enjoy the fun.

Don't forget the ballast box, you need a counter weight for the loader. Think of your tractor like a see-saw, when you put something heavy on the front, you need to put something heavy on the back to keep it balanced. You really don't want to experience an unbalanced tractor because it will happen at the most inopportune time such is going down a hill in 2WD with the back wheels of the ground or at least somewhere around zero traction. Enjoy.

deeregator said:

Retired last year & moved to 5 wooded acres next to a preserve. My aching back from all the tree work and general lifting convinced me I needed a small tractor. Convincing the wife was a little harder. I read every tractor forum I could find and narrowed my choices down to Kubota and John Deere. GreenTractortalk has been very helpful. I learn something from most posts because I am starting from scratch. Steep learning curve. Always wanted a tractor, but could never justify it until now. Yesterday I ordered a 1026R, FEL, MMM, Rototiller, and I-Hitch. Now if I can contain myself during the 2 week delivery wait. Like someone on the forum said, "It's like waiting for Santa Clause". Speaking of which, I think I will start a Christmas list: Ken's hooks, a heavy hitch, yellow Eagle fuel cans. Any other suggestions, Randy.

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BethesdaEC's point on the ballast box I would say is a must have. You also need to be VERY careful with your requests. I know I can speak for just about all in saying we all love to spend other peoples money.:lol: Just sayin!

deeregator said:

Sorry about the ambiguous last sentence. My name is Roger. RandyM has so many good ideas & projects that I was just throwing him a question. Roger

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Thanks for the clarification. Looks like you are getting very quality advice from the others. Are you re-thinking the addition of the ballast box? It is really more than an option for the loader, maybe it is included in your deal already? Mine was, along with the hood guard. In the end, you are your best source for your needs. Again, it will be a learn as you go. We can coach, but as already suggested, we do enjoy spending each others money. :mocking:

From a fellow 1026R owner, Congrats!

But more importantly, the comments on the ballast box are very accurate. I chanced to find this out early on when I had my forks on, nothing hanging on the rear and was lifting relatively little weight......but the combination proved quite awkward as I went over some slightly non-level ground with the front wheels in a consideration turn angle at which point, the entire rig started to tip. Fortunately I was anticipating the possibility and only had the load maybe 8 inches off the ground and it just settled until I re-calibrated the exercise which included putting my box-blade on the rear. It was definitely a surprise at how slight c of g changes can make the condition remarkably different. And yes...I now have a ballast box as well! These machines are quite capable but as with anything - there are limits!

Have fun and good luck with all!

ballest box

Thank all of you for the info about tipping. I planned on adding a Heavy Hitch down the road. I understand you can hang suitcase weights on it. I will put it on my Christmas wish list even though I will be buying it myself for SAFETY reasons. :mocking:The list might help prepare the ground with my wife.

Arrival

My 1036R was delivered today just in time for all the Thanksgiving guests to look at it tomorrow. Already put it to work. Hauled 3 loads of scrap wood, from redoing the deck, to the burn pile.

deeregator said:

Retired last year & moved to 5 wooded acres next to a preserve. My aching back from all the tree work and general lifting convinced me I needed a small tractor. Convincing the wife was a little harder. I read every tractor forum I could find and narrowed my choices down to Kubota and John Deere. Greentractortalk has been very helpful. I learn something from most posts because I am starting from scratch. Steep learning curve. Always wanted a tractor, but could never justify it until now. Yesterday I ordered a 1026R, FEL, MMM, Rototiller, and I-Hitch. Now if I can contain myself during the 2 week delivery wait. Like someone on the forum said, "It's like waiting for Santa Clause". Speaking of which, I think I will start a Christmas list: Ken's hooks, a heavy hitch, yellow Eagle fuel cans. Any other suggestions, Randy.

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A set of ARTILLIAN forks, once you have a set of forks you won't know how you got by with them!