rancherman

funny, I've seen you mention this 'high idle' ever since I've been a member here... but finally read this thread and others about it! I've been under the assumption for over 30 yrs. that 'high idle' is and has been the industries standard for what the diesel engine can turn: HIGH means fast as governor allows, and IDLE means "no load'. At least that is what my service manuals for my old Cummins and Perkins calls it. anyhoo, what ever name its called, I suppose there is a place for this engine management tool.

LOL< here I was worried that the truck thought it was involved in a crash... collision in this case refers to a 'pile up' of signals! Hopefully with all the hard starts, sub par cranking voltage, multiple attempts at jump starting this past week is what triggered it. Thanks guys!

it helps to befriend your local wally world sport shop manager!! Although he has been tempted to 'set-aside' for a few extra bucks 'under the table'.... He doesn't want to get caught and fired! He did give me when delivery trucks arrive, and when ammo usually is set out for sale. I live about 80 miles away from 2 different wally marts, and I just can't get there in time. He did say however, when his store sets out ammo, there are about 8-10 guys who are ALWAYS there snatching up all they are allowed. I just about bet they are the ones who have ammo '4 sale' on sites such as gunlist.com (for about double of what they paid) Those kind of guys, alone, can sway the market, just by keeping it off the shelves. And from what I've read online, they are not very welcomed with shooters! I just got 2 batches of .223 and 9mm from cheaperthandirt bulk reloads, 500 round boxes, for .40 and .45/ round. I had to wait on the 9mm about a week, but I got a email alert saying it was in-stock. you don't want to wait too long to order! Add tv shows, such as doomday survivor, to the list of of reasons why ammo is short! not 'gunlist.com' but armslist.com - - - Updated - - - Same with most small foundries.. especially cast iron, the ones that made small batches/runs are gone forever to mexico/china/wherever. They couldn't afford the half billion dollar scrubber smokestack the epa demanded. Can anyone explain to me, how moving these 'dirty' processes to a country (who doesn't abide by clean air laws) is good for US? Or is climate change 'selective' ONLY to the area that is being 'violated'? I'll bet the lead pit in Missouri will be shipping raw ore to china as fast as they can reload the 'rubber dog crap' freighters for the return trip. I just hope the newly pressed bullets coming back to our shores will be in boxes, rather than flying through the air!

I wanted to order another set of treadwrights, 235 85 16's, they are still 98 bucks, but 'not available' at this time! I am on the waiting list~

Mike, would you happen to have the lube properties of 50/50 fuel, which was 'cut' with a benzene xylene 'anti cloud/jel' product?

If the fuel we are getting is going to be problematic, I'm going to look into what Arctic Fox has, for at least one of my diesel tractors. They have kits for running hot coolant in a loop that parallels the draw straw, line kits that have an internal 12 volt heater running the length of the hose (looks like a heat tape that runs down the center of a 5/8ths rubber hose). Filter head for fuel filter that has hot coolant flowing around a 12 plate exchanger. Plus they have the hot sleeves Mike shows above. Sigh, all it takes is $$$. - - - Updated - - - I think if you allow some time for warm up, especially on ultra cold days, you'd be ok without a timer. When you shut down hot, the fuel should be pretty clear, at least in the filter. I'd think you would have enough time to warm the filter during your normal engine warm-up. 2 years ago, I got caught with #2 diesel in a tractor, and 10 below temps. Lets just say my fuel was very cloudy. I put new filters on just to get it back to the shop (15 minutes) and it was starting to miss already. Put the queen bee heater on it, added a bunch of #1, and it was fine the rest of the winter... What I am trying to say here is; I'd think you would have enough time for the filter heaters to work, even without a pre heat cycle... Just give em some time! I have 1 YO batteries, and just cycling the grids 2x, I barely have enough to start a cold (not plugged in) engine. (hence my post on finding a new cord for the block heater!) ha ha. I'd be screwed if I had to take any more amps out to preheat a filter...

it was 'CCd' on the overhead display for awhile. I toggled through the different displays, and finally just turned it off. When I restarted the truck awhile later, all seemed ok.on another matter, truck refused to start 5 days ago, plugged in overnight, and battery charger to boot. I gave up quickly just because I had 3 tractors 'dead' from crap fuel that needed attention first! This morning It got up to 25*, so I tried it! It stumbled to life and within 3 seconds it suddenly was running on all 6 cylinders. Perfectly. Other than 30-40* warmer than last Friday, I didn't do anything different: same fuel, same filter...Possible there was a minute amount of ice somewhere that had something 'stuck' in the vp44? I had reasonably good flow 'post filter' when FRRP was running! I took the filter out and confirmed there was no snot on filter, or ice in bottom of canister, all looked fine, ( very unlike all my tractors that needed EVERYTHING cleaned and/or replaced in the past 4 days)over on AGTALK.com (forum for farmers/ranchers) lots of guys from Kansas through North Dakota are in the same boat as me with recent 'blended' fuels..

Good question tom! I need to ask 'higher up' the chain about what's going on, the dude driving the delivery truck may not be a candidate for chemist-of-the-year....another possibility, is batches of fuel are separated by slugs of water as they are pumped up the pipeline. This recent batch may have been compromised/or not allowed to 'settle' before delivery to end user..

needed to replace the power cord on a Perkins engine this week, and since I added this block heater myself a couple years ago, I was hoping KATS engine block heaters would offer a replacement cord. They do! Kat's 28216 or Kat's 28500 Both are about 15 or 16 bucks, but the interesting thing I found with these, is they fit the heaters installed in our Cummins. (just make sure which 'end' you need, round or tri-oval) They are probably cheaper than what the dealer wants

2 weeks ago, had the fuel man out to fill our on-farm storage diesel with 50% #1 and #2 fuel. Thanks to a nice arctic blast, (lows about -10) most of my tractors are 'dead'. geez, another batch of crap came up the pipeline, ALL my neighbors are pulling their hair out too..I have an inline screen before the lift pump, that is easily taken apart and cleaned... It's actually a sprayer suction screen and has about a pint of capacity. It was totally full of slush, I cleaned it out and put in a jug of '911' I hate using it, but hungry cows take precedence!! Today, fuel won't even flow out of the the bulk tank.. OUT OF A 1 inch pipe plug!!! Fuel guy says the first batch 'out for delivery' has been problematic the past few years, claims the sulfur-removal process is a hydro-wash that actually ADDS microscopic molecules of H2O to the fuel. He claims If we could look into a cross section of the fuel, we would see millions of tiny 'snowflakes' in suspension. I was hoping that by now, the refineries would have this process 'figured out'! (this isn't the first year this has happened) The moles are so homogenized that they never clump together or settle out.. just waiting to be whisked away and caught by the filter!!!!so, I've got 800 gallons of 'crap' to deal with, I might have to just let it sit until spring! ( I really don't want to burn a lot of #1 blended in the 'heat of spring work').. I'll probably try to find a source of 'good' #1, and keep adding to the bulk tank until it starts flowing again

Yep! Tammy is home, and doing very well. Turns out, It was a crushing action that liquefied the fatty tissue between the skin and muscle. "Morel-La'veille (or something French) syndrome" That would explain why no skin was actually torn away during the accident. They did take a patch of skin off. It's a 6X8 inch oval shape. There is now a 'cut to fit' bandage/ patch in this space. It is a mesh material on the side that contacts the muscle, and a rubbery top coat that is taped and therefore sealed to the wound. There is a little valve stem coming out of the 'tire patch' which is hooked to a portable vacuum pump/disposable collection container. Doc says the 'patch' needs to be changed about once a week, and each time it should be somewhat smaller than the previous week. (the hole will grow shut) Hopefully, (but I've been warned) that it probably won't grow completely shut, so skin grafts will be needed to complete the process. We will know in a month or two. As long as the skin shows progression of healing the hole, they will allow it to. It may take up to 6 months before the hole is done growing shut. She is mobile, and able to walk to the bathroom and amble around the house on her own. I still need to hover around during shower times for safety/help I scored a '94 Toyota 4X4... 186k miles, and a pretty solid body yet. Should be a nice gofer truck. I gotta pick it up yet, hopefully next week. (it's in Montana....) Weather will dictate that road trip! Thanks guys for all the 'get-well-soons' and prayers!!

Thanks guys for your input! I've heard that they are tuffernell I got an eye on a couple 'south of 6k' west of me ( larger cities seem to have more Toyota dealers!) these are 93-97's with the 4 cylinder, 4X4, and most importantly... not totally rotted out. 160-170k miles. NEVER IN MY LIFE did I think I'd have to spend that kind of dough on a 20 year old 'jap car'... sigh. I have apparently spent my last 20 years in a cave!I have to remember, that it's not what I'll get out of it on resale, (Im usually the last owner before the salvage yard) It's what it'll give me in saved gas, durability and how many miles before the crusher... So, I guess if I look at it that way, it can only depreciate a maximum of 6k! LOL

Thanks! I know what you mean about controversial! We've all probably heard of the person (fully belted) that walked away, the fully belted person who drowned,burned, etc... the fully belted who didn't have a bruise, but the head came off. Then of course, plenty that didn't have belts on that fared just as bad too... and of course, my two girls; Martha walked away, Tammy is doing well. I can't explain why... other than God didn't 'want' them quite yet! I think the insurance companies have crunched the numbers enough to see belts do help. I just wish SOMEONE could design a door latch that KEEPS THE DANG DOOR CLOSED~ but still would open after a roll over...

a quick google search on rusty Toyota frames, came up with nasty recall about 3-4 years ago. Toyo was either fixing, replacing the whole frame, or even buying back the affected trucks. If time wan't such a factor this fall/winter, I've got a pretty nice 97 sport 1500 4X4 with a dud 360 gas that would be the perfect recipient for a cummins 3.9 A quick crunch of cash flow says it'd be about the same money as buying a good Toyo...My neighbor has been getting right at 25 mpg with his chevy half ton/ Isuzu/727 torqueflight combination...

Ok, so to replace the totaled ford f150, I been looking at a possible toyo or Nissan for our daily 'bomber'.... 4 cylinder, manual trans, and 4X4 is kinda what Im looking for.DANG them things hold their value! 20-25 yr old trucks AT LEAST $3500!!! If they are priced cheaper, it's because a cat could crawl though the rust holes. (or engine is blown/missing etc)Does anyone know why on a lot of the Toyota listings, referencing the condition of the frame rails? Seems like there may be an issue with these? I've seen ads with: Frame has some rust. Or Frame is ok. Or Frame only has rust on bottom edge. Hmmmm, kinda unusual for that many mentions isn't it?

Well, Tammy WAS discharged on Saturday from our small local hospital, (12 bed chicken house) and Sunday afternoon, I took her up to a larger hospital! didn't like the looks of her thigh. It was almost 3 times the size of what 'normal' is. When she moved, I could hear gurgling swishing.Turns out, her skin actually was torn away from the connective tissue and her thigh muscle. Imagine an area just above your knee, extending to just below your hip bone...... and as wide as your leg.... totally separated from you, but still attached. Only a little hole that was formed when the skin was pulled so violently during her fast exit.The fluid was a combination of blood and other liquid a body makes in the healing process. (I got about 2 quarts out of her before taking her back the hospital) It was quite a gusher~Surgeon packed that cavity with gauze the first day, and came up with a 'pump' that will constantly flush that cavity with saline solution 24/7. It's semi portable, and instead of the 2 week hospital stay to pack-clean-repack with gauze (and risk re infection), Tammy may be able to come home this weekend! (with pump attached)Doc said 6 months probable timeline for total healing....

thanks for the thoughts and prayers!no seat belts were worn. Wife needs another day in the hospital... more for observation purposes.Yes, I would've been better to not have seen the accident FIRST

Here is my Thanksgiving Miracle. My wife and 10 year old daughter were coming back from town last evening, about a 40 mile trip, and had some blowing and patchy snow packed roads. Running up a hill, the pickup lost traction and back ended into the ditch, rolling either 1.5 or 2.5 times. I believe it was 1.5 times, but had quite a bit of air time. Both were ejected and daughter apparently was 'dropped' on the slow side of the roll. Wife had a much harsher ride, she went over the top, and had much more speed. She ended up 60 foot away from the pickup... Both got ct scans, wife got a hairline crack in a orbital face bone, and 2 cracked vertebra. Daughter has a little scrape on her bridge of nose and a deep bruise on her shin. About 6 pm last night, I got worried they were not home yet, so I called the grocery store... they said she was there, an hour ago, but said 'rescue' was called out 45 minutes ago. I took off like a shot, I just knew it was them.. About 10 minutes down the road, I got a call from Patrol, wanting to know when I was going to 'get my property' off the highway! I drove past the accident site enroute to the hospital, and it's all I could do to concentrate on the road. (the ford was still on it's top in the ditch) GEEZ, I thought they could've led off with a better opening line! I got to the hospital to find my wife still belted to the back board and neck brace. They 'sent' the pictures to Australia for a specialist to look at. REALLY? no one in USA has that capability? Thanks to our local Fire and Rescue, and all our volunteers across our land! PS, the ford wasn't ours. FIL'S. http://mail.hughes.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&id=5362∂=1 http://mail.hughes.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&id=5367∂=1 http://mail.hughes.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&id=5364∂=1

No problems with my composite syncros, running Pennz?

Those would sure freak-out any tailgaters at night!

Time to change out the fluid before our heavy fall towing season. This trans was rebuild 3 years ago, and had the oil fill plug moved up on the case for overfilling capability. Dodge dealer installed the trans for me (they didn't rebuild it, just r and r'd it). I assumed they used the correct fluid at the time. This trans still has the 1.25 input shaft, so probably has the composite syncro rings, not the brass. Does the composite rings demand Chryslers spec oil? I've read a bazillion posts with many recipes for various blends of engine oil, synthetic trans fluid, ATF, and straight syncro fluids. Not looking for saving a few bucks... just the best oil for this trans! (especially one that would not jack-up my synchronizer rings) I've visited with a guy on CF about his fleet of nv's, and he runs delo 50 wt synthetic mixed half with 15/40 synthetic. ( delo doesn't make that... he uses royal purple, amsoil, or whatever is available at the time) If the Chrysler is the best, so be it. I'll drive 100 miles to pick some up

depending on how this next storm tracks out of the Rockies, we are supposed to have thunder storms next 2 days, possibly degrading into the seasons' first BLIZZARD. :banghead: 'Bout fell out of the chair this morning when I heard that! Most trees around here still are full leafed, snow is the last thing we need!

well, it's still fairly clear down here... but as soon as it leaves Yankton SD, it's pretty muddy. U could walk across it @Sioux City.. yuck. - - - Updated - - - No Doubt! Not to mention the dissolved acids (salts) and nitrates! My well water isn't safe for children, pregnant women, pregnant pigs or pregnant cows.. gives me the Hershey squirts too...

these pics are just what was happening on the outskirts of town... still a mile or two from actual auction site. anyone hear of the chevy dealer's auction held this weekend? He had a bunch of REALLY low milage 'new' car leftovers, trade ins, etc that had been sitting in his farm for up to 50 years. I happened to drive through Pierce for giggles Sat morning, and WHAT A CIRCUS!! Decided to not get pulled into the stampede heading towards the main event! I figured the 10's of thousands of people there would make it pretty tough to see anything. It DID bring out some pretty neat cars for sale, parked along the streets leading up to the auction! Almost 500 cars that had from 1 mile and up sitting in a pasture for up to fifty years brought *****'s prices. Jay Leno, John Travolta, and others were said to have been there. Plus, the History Channel with the idiots from 'Top Gear' commentated a 3 hour 'special' broadcast later that evening. Here is my 'take' on this social event! The first thing that makes me really wonder is: How in the heck can a car dealer afford to stock pile ALL his trade-ins, and his 'left over' new-stock to just rust away in a field somewhere???? People that were interviewed about this dealer said HE didn't want to sell 'used' cars. People deserved NEW. The interviewers also stated they ALWAYS GOT fantastic bargains at that dealership. People in Norfolk, Omaha, and Sioux City would drive to Pierce Ne to buy their new Chevy. Did this weekends' event let the 'cat out of the bag' in regards to how much mark-up new car dealers are really hosing the general public with on new vehicles?? Next thing: the commentators 'awe' on the prices bid! DUH. Gather a bunch of people together with a lot of cash, and this sort of thing happens. I'd speculate if a person came up with the LAST can of 'spam' ...... and more than one person wanted it, it'd bring pretty big bucks too! Lastly, what has happened to the 'car crafting' hobby! It is lonnnnnng gone! with TV shows such as Gas monkey garage (Fast and loud)... and the multitudes of 'flipping' car shows just to make a dollar, pretty much has killed any hope of a younger person to 'build' his own. Seems like EVERY car that has been restored, renewed, or modified has been through a high dollar 'specialty shop'. Does anyone do their own work anymore??? The dude that was interviewed after he bought a couple of the mid 60's Chevy C10's... with 2-4 miles on the clock. (they brought from 10k, up to 45K) He "Didn't want to disclose" how many he purchased... in order to 'maintain' their "value". He claimed these trucks were "Americana". (oh how patriotic of him) I say bull! IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY with these guys, and how much they can milk out of the next owner! Nothing else. I had to laugh everytime I heard 'what are these cars worth'?? It had nothing to do with yesterdays auction prices! 90% of those vehicles were 'worth' 150 bucks a ton. period. If someone wanted to buy one of these relics to rebuild... 150 bucks would be a good starting point!

Finally, a cheap fix for once! Massey Ferguson tractor with 354 perkins was loping, surging, and acted like it was 5 seconds 'behind' the governor. Son was already to pull the pump and get a rebuilt... I said whoa! lets do a little investigating first! This motor has a little handle on the lift pump to hand prime the system, and could only get 3-4 pumps before you could feel it cavitate. So, I figured 'restriction' of some sort. Pulled the plug from bottom of tank, (which also serves as a pickup-screen for suction tube) and Voila'!! crud! so, 14 bucks for new filters, a good dousing of good ol #2, and we be back to work! I'll bet the extreme hilly conditions we are running in got the crap moving around, and today probably won't be the last of our 'pitstops'. Amazing what I've found over the years in those fuel tanks wrapped around that screen: rust, rocks, paper clip, and a very well pickled mouse! (he must of been sleeping in the nozzle).. and yes, he stopped the tractor dead in it's tracks!