duh! I was stupid twice and lucky once today.

Got done doing paperwork today at about 3.
By 330 I had fired up Hercules and was at it again and a large stump.
Working the ground around it with the hoe bucket. Finding and breaking major roots around it.
Notice engine is running a wee bit off.
Rev it up and let it run. Seems weak. Settle it back down to a high idle. Runs ok.
That was dumb.
Get back to work.
Engine labors even now and then, but keeps going so I keep at the stump.
dumber.
Going after real thick multi branch root system. Slowly chewing it up, snapping big roots.
Engine starts fluttering.
I finally get the idea something ain't right.
Pull up hoe, stabilizers. Just getting to lift bucket and it stalls.
FUEL! Duh.
Sure enough low, not empty but tractor is pitched back on a slope.
Run to mobil and get 5 gallons.
In it goes. Time to bleed before I kill the batteries. Crack open bottom of second filer. Diesel flows out. Closed, cracked open bleeder at top of filters, flows,
Crack open small bleed on side of Cav. Dribles. Full throttle, crank it. Nada.
Hmmm. thought best I crack lines at injectors. Can't swing bat tray out as loader is in the way. Getting dark. Engine cooling down but still warm. Manage to crack open front and middle injectors lines. Can get at back one. Crank it for about 15 seconds 2 times. Check injectors. Some fuel but not alot. Open lines a few more turns and crank it longer twice. More fuel. Now its getting darker. Gather up tools off the grass. Tighten injectors lines back up.
After another full throttle crank with no combustion I stop. Batteries still holding up. Set throttle to fast idle. Started up on second crank. Ran ok, set it at high idle. Ran good.
Lucky.disengaged from battle with stump.
Let tractor sit running for 5 minutes.
Lucky.
Tomorrow that stumps going down.
Pete

BTDT last week on son's massey when fuel filter stopped up. not too bad actually and it allows you to practice some hopefully forgotten skills.

let me add I knew what to do because of all the great directions posted in the " my diesel won't start"/"how do you bleed a diesel" threads.
One thing I was Certain of . I had a whole heck of a better chance getting it bled when it was still hot.
Pete