How-tos

Access step-by-step repair and maintenance guides to keep your off-road equipment running smoothly with our expert tips!

All

How Much Does A Semi-truck Weigh? Empty vs. Fully Loaded
Sep 25, 2026

How Much Does A Semi-truck Weigh? Empty vs. Fully Loaded

You may often see or drive a semi-truck on the highway but have you wondered how much those behemoths weigh? An empty semi-truck usually weighs about 30,000 to 35,000 pounds, while a fully loaded one weighs no more than 80,000 pounds without special permits. But how does the semi-truck weight distribute between the tractor and trailer? What if you exceed the limits? Let’s dive in together.

How to Stop Wheel Spin: Ballast Box for Compact Tractor Guide
Sep 25, 2026

How to Stop Wheel Spin: Ballast Box for Compact Tractor Guide

How to stop wheel spin: compact tractor ballast box guide. If a Kubota L3902 starts spinning while pulling a 5-foot disc harrow in sandy soil, the usual cause is simple. Not enough usable weight on the drive tires for the draft load and disc angle. A flatter gang angle rolls easier but barely cuts. A steeper angle cuts better but asks for more traction than the tractor can hold. Loose sand gives poor grip even before the disc starts to bite. Then the disc angle adds draft load. On a light compact tractor, that extra pull can overcome rear tire grip long before engine power runs out. Loaded rear tires are often the most useful starting point. They add weight directly to the drive wheels, lower the center of gravity, and do not take away your hitch. Wheel weights help if more grip is still needed. A 3-point ballast box is better for loader work. It offsets front load and protects the front axle. For discing, rear tire ballast matters more. Reduce gang angle slightly. Check tire pressure. Make sure the disc is in good shape. Add traction first, then add bite. Two lighter passes often work better than one aggressive pass.

Metal in the Hydraulic Filter on Excavator? Causes & Fixes
Sep 24, 2026

Metal in the Hydraulic Filter on Excavator? Causes & Fixes

Discovering metal in the hydraulic filter is a critical warning sign of failing pumps, motors, or cylinders. This guide helps you decode the metal debris, pinpoint the broken component, and safely flush your entire system.

Should You Add a Tractor Bucket Tooth Bar for Packed Dirt?
Sep 24, 2026

Should You Add a Tractor Bucket Tooth Bar for Packed Dirt?

Should you add a tractor bucket tooth bar for packed dirt? A tooth bar helps, but it is not the whole fix. On a compact tractor, teeth give the bucket more bite. They cut at several points instead of one flat edge. That helps with packed dirt, roots, brush, gravel, and back dragging. It also protects the bucket edge. But it does not change lift capacity or traction. Hard clay still needs to be loosened first. That is the part many people miss. If packed soil is beating the bucket, do not charge harder. Loosen the ground first. Use a box blade with scarifiers to rip the surface. Make another pass if needed. Then scoop with the loader. Grade and smooth on the final pass. That sequence reduces shock load on the loader. It also puts less strain on pins, hydraulic hoses, and front axle parts. If the main problem is hardpan, a box blade with rippers is the better first buy than a tooth bar.

What Are Class 8 Trucks? Understanding the Truck Classifications
Sep 23, 2026

What Are Class 8 Trucks? Understanding the Truck Classifications

Ever wondered what powers the absolute giants of the highway? In the United States, commercial vehicles are categorized into eight distinct classes based on their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), with Class 8 representing the heaviest rigs on the road. These behemoths weigh over 33,000 pounds and haul up to 80,000 pounds of freight. While these heavy-duty machines are the undisputed backbone of North American logistics, keeping them running smoothly is no simple task. What actually goes into building these Class 8 trucks, and which easily overlooked maintenance mistake could quietly ground your entire fleet? Let’s dive in.

How to Remove a Stubborn Hydraulic Cylinder Gland with a Spanner Wrench?
Sep 23, 2026

How to Remove a Stubborn Hydraulic Cylinder Gland with a Spanner Wrench?

Learn practical steps for removing a stubborn hydraulic cylinder gland: secure and drain the cylinder, use a stout spanner or pipe wrench with a cheater bar, apply penetrating oil or heat, and inspect or replace seals to avoid leaks and premature failures.

How to Operate a Mini Excavator: A Beginner’s Guide
Sep 23, 2026

How to Operate a Mini Excavator: A Beginner’s Guide

How to operate a mini excavator: a beginner’s guide. How to operate a mini excavator comes down to a few steps. First, inspect the machine. Then drop the blade for stability, learn the joystick pattern, and use a smooth dig, swing, and dump cycle. Moving the machine is easy. Using it well takes more attention. Before startup, check the ground condition, work zone, underground utilities, overhead clearance, hydraulic hoses, tracks, and fluids. Use three-point contact when entering the cab. Fasten the seatbelt. Lower the blade before digging. The left joystick controls stick and swing. The right joystick controls boom and bucket. The cleanest bucket fill comes from combining bucket curl with stick retraction, not from forcing the bucket straight down. Keep the bucket low when traveling. Travel straight up or down a slope, not across it. Take smaller controlled cuts. Keep spoil on one side.

3-Point Hitch Sway Adjustment: A Complete Guide
Sep 22, 2026

3-Point Hitch Sway Adjustment: A Complete Guide

This guide to 3-point hitch sway adjustment shows how to center the implement, tighten turnbuckles or stabilizer bars, and eliminate pin play with bushings so rotary cutters and blades run true and won’t strike tires.

How to Fix a Kubota 3-Point Hitch That Won’t Lift?
Sep 21, 2026

How to Fix a Kubota 3-Point Hitch That Won’t Lift?

Fixing a Kubota 3-point hitch that won’t lift is often simpler than you think. This guide covers the most common culprits, from adjusting the hydraulic flow control knob to checking fluid levels, filters, and the pump.

How to Oil A Chainsaw? A Complete Guide 2026
Sep 21, 2026

How to Oil A Chainsaw? A Complete Guide 2026

Oiling your chainsaw is crucial to extend its service life. This includes oiling the chainsaw chain and chainsaw bar. For manual oiling, the process is as simple as putting a little chainsaw oil directly on the chain links and spreading the oil over the whole chainsaw chain with a small brush. But how to choose the oil? How often to change the chain oil? This guide will cover how to oil a chainsaw with detailed instructions.

How to Fix a Tractor Flat Tire?
Sep 20, 2026

How to Fix a Tractor Flat Tire?

A tractor flat tire can bring your fieldwork to a sudden halt. This guide explains common causes of flats and provides step-by-step instructions for reseating beads, plugging tread punctures, and knowing when to replace.

How to Choose the Right Chain for Your Stihl Chainsaw?
Sep 20, 2026

How to Choose the Right Chain for Your Stihl Chainsaw?

Choosing the right chain for your Stihl chainsaw is straightforward. You can consult your owner’s manual for the details of the chain elements and chainsaw chain type. However, even a robust chainsaw can wear over time. You should keep regular maintenance of your chain and chainsaw. At FridayParts, we are dedicated to providing a vast range of quality replacement parts for your Stihl chainsaws. Explore now and get the best performance of your chainsaw.