Quoted:

ok first things first, you are going to have to lose the SMV placard (reflective triangle).  

double check the front axle fluid level after a few hours of operation, for whatever reason it tends to "settle" a bit after the dealer fill.
note the "trick" above using the FEL to pull the MMM deck off, it makes it a lot easier to slide it out from under the tractor.
that said, you can leave the MMM on for 99% of what you are doing -- it comes up high enough that it (typically) isn't in the way.

ar-jedi

http://ziva.losdos.dyndns.org/gallery2/d/18250-1/DSCN0911.JPG

so I’m going to do a dry stacked boulder/stone wall. Highest height will be about 3’ tall against the garage and then about 2’ as it tapers off around the driveway towards a light pole.

Quoted:



@diggerwolf

I plan on tying the end of the wall in with the corner of the garage.  There’s a dip there now that I’ll backfill with the extra dirt (cinderblock level right of the boom in the second picture). I’m blessed and cursed with a stone and boulder filled property (first picture...tree line ), so I’m going to do a dry stacked boulder/stone wall. Highest height will be about 3’ tall against the garage and then about 2’ as it tapers off around the driveway towards a light pole. Plan is to dig out a foot or so past the planned wall location. Then dig a foot deep trench and install a French drain. Once installed, I’ll level the ground and then tamp down the foundation area.  Before the first layer I’ll lay landscaping fabric (not plastic) and the excess will go against the uphill slope. First layer will go down with the largest and flattest stones. Shim them as necessary and place packing around and behind those. Then add the second layer...shimming and packing again. The pull the fabric back over the first two layers and backfill with dirt. Fold the fabric back over the uphill slope out of the way and repeat for the next two levels. I plan on maintaining a 1:6” batter. One inch in for every 6” of elevation. I’ll cap it with some nice looking flat stones and masonry cement. The remainder of the landscape fabric gets left folded over towards the uphill slope and buried about 8-10” under the top level of dirt. Still unsure if I’ll plant grass up to the wall or do mulch and flowers or something. The deer will probably destroy them if I do so it’s a toss up right now but that’s a spring problem.

Today’s after work process... I know many suggested getting a larger tractor, but even with the rocky terrain the 23S will serve me well.  It may take a bit longer but it's quite capable.  I like the newer placement of loader control versus the higher and further forward lever on older models like my father in law has.

Quoted:



No worries there... The dealer didn't use Nylock nuts and I lost one of them within the first two hours of running.  It's sitting on top of my tool box right now (note it's missing from the last picture...).  Thanks for the tip on checking fluids.  I didn't get around to removing the deck but I will this weekend.  Not a big deal anyways with where I'm currently working in the driveway.  It's been 2 years since I ran the backhoe on the rented machine we used to dig my FIL's small pond...but I picked it up again quickly.  I'm glad I went with the backhoe.  I'll use the shit out of it from what I have on my to-do list right now.  The ROI will take a bit but I believe it will be worth the investment.)

Quoted:


The same thing happened to my smv placard.

My front axle took a full qt to hit the spot on the dipstick.

Also check your zerks, I had a few that were painted over.

Buy a filter wrench before your 50 hr service the filters are gorilla tight.

Quoted:


How many hours did you wait to let the front axle settle?  I have about 6.5 on it so far. Been busy.

Quoted:
How many hours did you wait to let the front axle settle?  I have about 6.5 on it so far. Been busy.

Quoted:
Buy a filter wrench before your 50 hr service the filters are gorilla tight.