Hi! I've utilized the site for years now for parts and info, but I hadn't joined the forum. As is often the case, I have a need for knowledge from the group, but I don't just want to swoop in and ask, glean, and fly away. So, I'll introduce myself, spend some time scouring the forum for answers, and then come back and ask what I haven't found.
I live in the Blue Ridge mountains of VA, and I've always been fascinated and passionate about tractors. Growing up, I would lay awake at night and dream of having my own machine. My dad was a flooring installer, owning an installation and retail business, and he would stop in at local tractor dealerships and grab sales brochures for me to read. At that time (late 70's and early 80's), that would Staunton Tractor and Baker Brothers Case. I well remember the beginnings of the Ford 1000 series tractors; a small, 4WD, diesel tractor was an amazing thing to contemplate.
I spent many years in the flooring industry, while also working in Christian ministry. Before my knees could go completely bad, I retired from flooring and became an associate/youth pastor at our church (Mennonite). I served as youth pastor for 9 amazing years, until I came to the leading that it was time for a change. There's a need for wisdom and maturity in youth ministry, but there's also a threshold where age holds you back. The youth needed someone who could survive staying up all night!
During my time as a youth pastor, I needed to supplement our income. I also needed to satisfy the need to work with my hands; it was a real adjustment going from creative work (I specialized in custom tile work) to ministry/study/sermon prep. There was a real void there. At the same time, I had purchased my first tractor- a Kubota B7100. I liked everything except the turnbuckle stabilizers, so I decided to make some pin-adjustable ones. This gave me an opportunity to create and work with my hands again. I knew them from larger tractors, but there was nothing available to purchase. Fast forward- I eventually started marketing custom telescoping stabilizers for compact tractors, as a side business. When it came time to retire from youth ministry, I went full time. I've been building stabilizers for 13 years now, designing and building them for factory and custom applications. I built a set on Friday for a Case 830- the owner had converted the lift arms from fixed to articulating, and he needed a way to control them.
So, tractors are now both a fascination and a business. I know quite a bit about 3 points, having built just shy of 4,400 sets of telescoping stabilizers to date. However, I don't know much about the internal workings, and I want to learn more. This will lead me to some research and anticipated questions about the Ford 1000 series (a 1300) and the unloader valve.
Again, I didn't just want to join, ask, and leave; I desire and intend to participate and fellowship here. I belong to numerous other forums and Facebook groups, and I enjoy the connection to others.
A final tidbit- I've been married to my beautiful bride for 32 years, we've got 3 children, and 5 grandchildren.
I live in the Blue Ridge mountains of VA, and I've always been fascinated and passionate about tractors. Growing up, I would lay awake at night and dream of having my own machine. My dad was a flooring installer, owning an installation and retail business, and he would stop in at local tractor dealerships and grab sales brochures for me to read. At that time (late 70's and early 80's), that would Staunton Tractor and Baker Brothers Case. I well remember the beginnings of the Ford 1000 series tractors; a small, 4WD, diesel tractor was an amazing thing to contemplate.
I spent many years in the flooring industry, while also working in Christian ministry. Before my knees could go completely bad, I retired from flooring and became an associate/youth pastor at our church (Mennonite). I served as youth pastor for 9 amazing years, until I came to the leading that it was time for a change. There's a need for wisdom and maturity in youth ministry, but there's also a threshold where age holds you back. The youth needed someone who could survive staying up all night!
During my time as a youth pastor, I needed to supplement our income. I also needed to satisfy the need to work with my hands; it was a real adjustment going from creative work (I specialized in custom tile work) to ministry/study/sermon prep. There was a real void there. At the same time, I had purchased my first tractor- a Kubota B7100. I liked everything except the turnbuckle stabilizers, so I decided to make some pin-adjustable ones. This gave me an opportunity to create and work with my hands again. I knew them from larger tractors, but there was nothing available to purchase. Fast forward- I eventually started marketing custom telescoping stabilizers for compact tractors, as a side business. When it came time to retire from youth ministry, I went full time. I've been building stabilizers for 13 years now, designing and building them for factory and custom applications. I built a set on Friday for a Case 830- the owner had converted the lift arms from fixed to articulating, and he needed a way to control them.
So, tractors are now both a fascination and a business. I know quite a bit about 3 points, having built just shy of 4,400 sets of telescoping stabilizers to date. However, I don't know much about the internal workings, and I want to learn more. This will lead me to some research and anticipated questions about the Ford 1000 series (a 1300) and the unloader valve.
Again, I didn't just want to join, ask, and leave; I desire and intend to participate and fellowship here. I belong to numerous other forums and Facebook groups, and I enjoy the connection to others.
A final tidbit- I've been married to my beautiful bride for 32 years, we've got 3 children, and 5 grandchildren.
