If you had come to me before I found mine, and told me I'd be driving a Chinese tractor, I would have laughed at you. But after having owned mine for over 2 years, and being decently motivated to take good care of it, I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Here's the story: I was looking for a tractor, diesel, 4x4, front loader, with the ability to pull at least a 6ft mower and climb some decent sized hills. I was having difficulty with my price range, as everything about double to triple where my budget was. I was in the $6-8k range. With the capability I wanted, everything I found put me in the 13-25k arena. Not something I could even imagine. I started looking online and in trader type magazines for used equipment, but the majority was run down, way too many hours, or just not remotely appealing.
One day on a trip home from the lake, I passed by a house with a bright red tractor sitting out front for sale. I stopped and got the number. It had a 6ft. finish mower, still with the sales sticker of $1275 on it (yes, very good shape) and a Koyker loader on the front. It was a Tractor King 254. My initial call got an asking price of $10500. It was 1 year old with only 75 hours on the meter. Not too bad of a deal, as a new piece with the loader and mower would run in the neighborhood of $12500. Problem is, I just didn't want to spend over $7k, so I passed. A couple months later, I called again, as I had passed by the same place and saw it still for sale. The price had dropped to $9000. I pushed and said I could do $6000. I was talking to the wife, who seemed noticeably disgusted that it had not yet sold. She wanted to get rid of it and buy some 4-wheelers. We settled on $7000. I was very happy. I went to pick it up and test drove it first to make sure it was what I wanted.
In truth, these are the simplest of machines. No frills, if you know what I mean. To change gears, you must be at a dead stop. They aren't quiet, so hearing protection is recommended. The seat has no springs, and even less padding. What it DOES have though, is a very basic, easily maintained engine which, when taken care of, will give you a LOT of excellent service if not pushed beyond its limits.
I plan to have future write-ups on this equipment with pictures and detailed steps of how to do things the right way. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to post a comment. After more than 2 years, mine is still running like a champ. I couldn't have been happier with my purchase.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Power Wheels Modifications
Ok, I have young children, and toys are still abig part of everyday life. I have been able to quickly, and very cheaply accumulate 3 powerwheels vehicles, all 4-wheeler-type units. All are standard dual 6V battery types. Two are identical older style Ninjas, and one is a newer style Black and Green Ninja. All very neat. I am just beginning on my "modification" journey, but figured I'd share in my learning and struggles along the way.
The first, and simplest modification, is POWER! Upgrading the batteries, the source of power, is relatively easy. I purchased my batteries from Gruber Power Services . I wish I could say I would get a commission if you clicked the above link, but I don't. They do sell excellent batteries though.
I purchased the following units to upgrade the standard 12v setup to an 18v setup:
QTY - 2 : 58AGPS-12-12-F2 Battery - AGM - GPS - 12 Volt - 12 AH - F2 - standard 12v 12AH batteries
QTY - 2 : 58AGPS-6-12-F2 Battery - AGM - GPS - 6 Volt - 12 AH - F2 - standard 6v12AH batteries
The original (Red) Powerwheels 6v batteries are only 9.5AH rated. These newer batteries have a longer runtime.
As I get time, and to make things a little less bulky I will have future posts about the following subjects, and possibly more to come.
First discussion: CONNECTIONS - Battery connectors:Factory to upgraded.
Second discussion: Wiring - Does the PW need the wiring changed?
Third Discussion: Charging
Fourth Discussion: Gearboxes
And possibly more to come.
The first, and simplest modification, is POWER! Upgrading the batteries, the source of power, is relatively easy. I purchased my batteries from Gruber Power Services . I wish I could say I would get a commission if you clicked the above link, but I don't. They do sell excellent batteries though.
I purchased the following units to upgrade the standard 12v setup to an 18v setup:
QTY - 2 : 58AGPS-12-12-F2 Battery - AGM - GPS - 12 Volt - 12 AH - F2 - standard 12v 12AH batteries
QTY - 2 : 58AGPS-6-12-F2 Battery - AGM - GPS - 6 Volt - 12 AH - F2 - standard 6v12AH batteries
The original (Red) Powerwheels 6v batteries are only 9.5AH rated. These newer batteries have a longer runtime.
As I get time, and to make things a little less bulky I will have future posts about the following subjects, and possibly more to come.
First discussion: CONNECTIONS - Battery connectors:Factory to upgraded.
Second discussion: Wiring - Does the PW need the wiring changed?
Third Discussion: Charging
Fourth Discussion: Gearboxes
And possibly more to come.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
ASUS M3N78 PRO - Review
About mid-January I purchased a barebones kit from TigerDirect.com (still my favorite place to buy computer 'stuff'). In the kit was this motherboard. The current configuration has 8GB RAM, an AMD Quad Core processor, and 5 HDs (all SATA) , one as the main(500GB), and 4 in a Raid 5 array, working flawlessly.
The main use is as a work box. I wanted to be able to run multiple VMs for different processes for work simultaneously. I run 2-3 most of the time continually. One Win Server, one Ubuntu, and the other changes a lot.
Initial setup with the raid config was a challenge. It requires the use of a floppy dirve. (Do they still get used? YES!) Luckily I had one laying around from an old box and was able to throw it in. Once the boot disks were created I was able to get the raid config done pretty easily. The ASUS utiliy disk that comes with the board is great for getting the drivers, but the utilities seem bloated somewhat, so I rarely use any of them.
I have WinXP 64 bit as the main OS, and it screams. I am using onboard graphics, which was also nice. It comes with a VGA add-on port that works flawlessly, and a built in HDMI port. The HDMI works GREAT and I have once or twice hooked it up to my 52" Mitsu LCD. Excellent quality.
I have not yet been able to get the ExpressGate feature to work on this build. It was working once before I got the RAID array configured, but doesn't seem to cooperate anymore. Not much of an issue as I never really do much out of the main OS anyway.
Overall, I would recommend this motherboard to an advanced user. I have only used 5 of the available 6 SATA ports, and I didn't find the RAID config to be all that difficult. If your technical, it's a breeze. If not, get a friend who is. The onboard RAID controller works great, and is well worth the effort. I have a 1.74TB array. Very nice.
4/5 - Excellent features, very powerful, very fast.
The main use is as a work box. I wanted to be able to run multiple VMs for different processes for work simultaneously. I run 2-3 most of the time continually. One Win Server, one Ubuntu, and the other changes a lot.
Initial setup with the raid config was a challenge. It requires the use of a floppy dirve. (Do they still get used? YES!) Luckily I had one laying around from an old box and was able to throw it in. Once the boot disks were created I was able to get the raid config done pretty easily. The ASUS utiliy disk that comes with the board is great for getting the drivers, but the utilities seem bloated somewhat, so I rarely use any of them.
I have WinXP 64 bit as the main OS, and it screams. I am using onboard graphics, which was also nice. It comes with a VGA add-on port that works flawlessly, and a built in HDMI port. The HDMI works GREAT and I have once or twice hooked it up to my 52" Mitsu LCD. Excellent quality.
I have not yet been able to get the ExpressGate feature to work on this build. It was working once before I got the RAID array configured, but doesn't seem to cooperate anymore. Not much of an issue as I never really do much out of the main OS anyway.
Overall, I would recommend this motherboard to an advanced user. I have only used 5 of the available 6 SATA ports, and I didn't find the RAID config to be all that difficult. If your technical, it's a breeze. If not, get a friend who is. The onboard RAID controller works great, and is well worth the effort. I have a 1.74TB array. Very nice.
4/5 - Excellent features, very powerful, very fast.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Yamaha RX-V663 - Review
Wow! Hmm, how can I say this a little bolder? WOW!
This thing is amazing. I've owned, and still own, many other receivers. I still have a Nakamichi and Sony in my arsenal, but this think is amazing. The power, adjustability, output options, all truly amazing.
I have a DVD player, DirecTV HD DVR, Laptop (for "alternate media" listening/watching), and VCR (yes we still use one) all connected to this unit, and it amazes me more every day.
I run it in a 5 channel setup currently. Center, FR, FL, SurR, SurL, and SW. The sound is beautiful. My plan is to use one of its many options and add a second set of front speaker for clarity and depth. My rear/surround speakers are in walls and do an excellent job of producing the mid and hi for the surround. I would like to add a little more from the center/front. This stereo has a great option that allows you to use the optional 7.1 rear channels for this option.
There are only 2 HDMI inputs, which could be better, but I only use one at this point anyway, so I'm not to put off by that. The HDMI output works excellent. I don't use my TVs sound, so I can't really comment on that.
The one thing that SOLD me on this TV was the ability to set an audio delay. If you're not familiar with this option, it's amazing, here's why. Most of todays high end TVs have excellent processors and video configurations. The downside is, all of the video reproduction takes time. Not a lot, but enough, and my TV is no exception. Before I got this unit, the sound came out before the video. Ever watched bad kung-fu? Ever tried watching every show and movie like that? It's very annoying. What the audio delay does is uses the units internal goodies to delay the sound input to more closely match the video output. What do you know, know the sound and video match! Woohoo! The best part for me is that it is manually adjustable. Yes, for some this could be cumbersome, but I'm a fiddler. I found that about a 73ms delay (yes, it's that detailed, and that little bit is annoying!) seemed to work great with my combo.
The power this unit has is amazing. I own another receiver that has the same rated output, but no where near the sound output and clarity of the Yamaha. I am very impressed with the sound form this unit. There is a ton of adjustability on this. If you have any detailed questions on my exact configuration, let me know and I can get you my settings. It works well in my situation.
I could go on and on about its features and functionality, but those things have been hashed out all over the web. Just wanted to give my selling points. I highly recommend this unit.
Pros: Sound clarity, power, adjustability, everything!
Cons: None I have found.
4.75/5 - Very impressive unit.
This thing is amazing. I've owned, and still own, many other receivers. I still have a Nakamichi and Sony in my arsenal, but this think is amazing. The power, adjustability, output options, all truly amazing.
I have a DVD player, DirecTV HD DVR, Laptop (for "alternate media" listening/watching), and VCR (yes we still use one) all connected to this unit, and it amazes me more every day.
I run it in a 5 channel setup currently. Center, FR, FL, SurR, SurL, and SW. The sound is beautiful. My plan is to use one of its many options and add a second set of front speaker for clarity and depth. My rear/surround speakers are in walls and do an excellent job of producing the mid and hi for the surround. I would like to add a little more from the center/front. This stereo has a great option that allows you to use the optional 7.1 rear channels for this option.
There are only 2 HDMI inputs, which could be better, but I only use one at this point anyway, so I'm not to put off by that. The HDMI output works excellent. I don't use my TVs sound, so I can't really comment on that.
The one thing that SOLD me on this TV was the ability to set an audio delay. If you're not familiar with this option, it's amazing, here's why. Most of todays high end TVs have excellent processors and video configurations. The downside is, all of the video reproduction takes time. Not a lot, but enough, and my TV is no exception. Before I got this unit, the sound came out before the video. Ever watched bad kung-fu? Ever tried watching every show and movie like that? It's very annoying. What the audio delay does is uses the units internal goodies to delay the sound input to more closely match the video output. What do you know, know the sound and video match! Woohoo! The best part for me is that it is manually adjustable. Yes, for some this could be cumbersome, but I'm a fiddler. I found that about a 73ms delay (yes, it's that detailed, and that little bit is annoying!) seemed to work great with my combo.
The power this unit has is amazing. I own another receiver that has the same rated output, but no where near the sound output and clarity of the Yamaha. I am very impressed with the sound form this unit. There is a ton of adjustability on this. If you have any detailed questions on my exact configuration, let me know and I can get you my settings. It works well in my situation.
I could go on and on about its features and functionality, but those things have been hashed out all over the web. Just wanted to give my selling points. I highly recommend this unit.
Pros: Sound clarity, power, adjustability, everything!
Cons: None I have found.
4.75/5 - Very impressive unit.
Blackberry Storm - Review
Hmm, storm, well, it took the market and advertising world by storm. Funny thing, once you get one, it's more of an annoying drizzle.
I've had mine since December, so about 6 months now. I'd love to rave about it, but I just can't.
I have to pull the battery at least once a week as it locks up.
Typing is difficult at best, and their built in typing assistant never seems to type what you want.
I am not impressed with the built in "gyro" or whatever it is they use to sense the phones position for viewing. It works 50% of the time at best. Too many times I have been trying to show someone something and completely give up when the phone freezes.
My main issue with this "device" is that I need a phone with features, not feature (that don't work) with an inadequate phone. The phone is horrible. I make a lot of calls, and this has to be the most difficult "phone" I've ever used.
Media: It plays movies, even .avis I load onto the card, very well. Sound and picture are good, but I can't remember the last time I wanted to watch a movie on a 3" screen. Is everyone really so desperate to be in their own little world that they have to watch movie son their phone?
For music it's decent. Sound it good and battery life is decent. What I don't like is using the proprietary PITA software to create playlists and such. There are limited options and it is often difficult to get things just the way you want them.
Network connectivity: The idiot that thought Wifi was not needed in this should be drawn and quartered. Seriously? And they thought this could compete with the iPhone? Not even close. Another PITA connectivity issues I have is that if the battery dies, and you put it on the charger, you have to manually go into the setup and reconnect to the mobile network EVERY TIME. REALLY? How bad of a design is that. It's a mobile convenience device, with the most inconvenient options available. Good design.
Getting the sense of my opinion yet?
Pros: My contract with this phone will some day end and I can get something that doesn't suck.
Cons: Pretty much everything. It will make a great paperweight when I'm done.
.5/5 - It turns on, and I can get calls, so I have to give it some credit.
I've had mine since December, so about 6 months now. I'd love to rave about it, but I just can't.
I have to pull the battery at least once a week as it locks up.
Typing is difficult at best, and their built in typing assistant never seems to type what you want.
I am not impressed with the built in "gyro" or whatever it is they use to sense the phones position for viewing. It works 50% of the time at best. Too many times I have been trying to show someone something and completely give up when the phone freezes.
My main issue with this "device" is that I need a phone with features, not feature (that don't work) with an inadequate phone. The phone is horrible. I make a lot of calls, and this has to be the most difficult "phone" I've ever used.
Media: It plays movies, even .avis I load onto the card, very well. Sound and picture are good, but I can't remember the last time I wanted to watch a movie on a 3" screen. Is everyone really so desperate to be in their own little world that they have to watch movie son their phone?
For music it's decent. Sound it good and battery life is decent. What I don't like is using the proprietary PITA software to create playlists and such. There are limited options and it is often difficult to get things just the way you want them.
Network connectivity: The idiot that thought Wifi was not needed in this should be drawn and quartered. Seriously? And they thought this could compete with the iPhone? Not even close. Another PITA connectivity issues I have is that if the battery dies, and you put it on the charger, you have to manually go into the setup and reconnect to the mobile network EVERY TIME. REALLY? How bad of a design is that. It's a mobile convenience device, with the most inconvenient options available. Good design.
Getting the sense of my opinion yet?
Pros: My contract with this phone will some day end and I can get something that doesn't suck.
Cons: Pretty much everything. It will make a great paperweight when I'm done.
.5/5 - It turns on, and I can get calls, so I have to give it some credit.
Mitsubishi LT-52148 LCD - Review
We purchased this new TV along with a new stereo the week before the super bowl. We were having friends over, and it had been a plan for quite some time to upgrade as my current TV (an excellent Sony Trinitron) was purchased in 1999. It still works, and is now a fixture in our bedroom, but was starting to have some ghosting issues, and we figured we deserve it after being good at saving and not spending.
Ok, back to the TV. Setup was easy, and the picture is amazing. One of the complaints on some of the forums is the creepily lifelike image on many HD shows. Well, it's true, the images look almost 3D in some situations. The clarity is amazing. We like it, so I'm not complaining.
The energysaver mode is somewhat of a joke. It seems to not use the standby mode when it's turned off, and causes the TV to take about 60 seconds to turn on. This is just excessive. We use it in non-power-saver mode, and the TV still takes about 6-10 seconds to turn on. I believe some of the delay is the DirecTV HD DVR still booting up, so I can't attribute all of the delay to the TV. It's not a bother to us at that short time.
I have yet to see a 1080p presentation on the TV. DirecTV has 1080i, but nothing better I have found. I do not yet have a 1080p (BluRay) player, so I don't see me testing that anytime soon.
We often watch movies from an older DVD player in 480p, and the picture is still excellent.
We do not use the sound from the TV. I've read many complaints about the speakers. If you have a 52" TV, and do not have enough space and budget for a surround sound system, you're an idiot. Buy a smaller TV with better speakers, or get a real sound system, or put it in a bigger room where you have the space for proper sound. Sorry, these TVs are meant to be enjoyed with surround sound, especially at the 52" size. If you have to use the built in speakers, well, then you deserve the crappy sound. Sorry, that's just reality.
Pros: Beautiful picture.
Cons: None I've experienced.
4/5. - Not the best, especially with the new LED TVs on the market, but definitely not the worst.
Ok, back to the TV. Setup was easy, and the picture is amazing. One of the complaints on some of the forums is the creepily lifelike image on many HD shows. Well, it's true, the images look almost 3D in some situations. The clarity is amazing. We like it, so I'm not complaining.
The energysaver mode is somewhat of a joke. It seems to not use the standby mode when it's turned off, and causes the TV to take about 60 seconds to turn on. This is just excessive. We use it in non-power-saver mode, and the TV still takes about 6-10 seconds to turn on. I believe some of the delay is the DirecTV HD DVR still booting up, so I can't attribute all of the delay to the TV. It's not a bother to us at that short time.
I have yet to see a 1080p presentation on the TV. DirecTV has 1080i, but nothing better I have found. I do not yet have a 1080p (BluRay) player, so I don't see me testing that anytime soon.
We often watch movies from an older DVD player in 480p, and the picture is still excellent.
We do not use the sound from the TV. I've read many complaints about the speakers. If you have a 52" TV, and do not have enough space and budget for a surround sound system, you're an idiot. Buy a smaller TV with better speakers, or get a real sound system, or put it in a bigger room where you have the space for proper sound. Sorry, these TVs are meant to be enjoyed with surround sound, especially at the 52" size. If you have to use the built in speakers, well, then you deserve the crappy sound. Sorry, that's just reality.
Pros: Beautiful picture.
Cons: None I've experienced.
4/5. - Not the best, especially with the new LED TVs on the market, but definitely not the worst.
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