I like the idea of being able to raise the hood. Can you give me the dimensions of the Z bracket that mounts in the receiver. Length of horizontal pieces and the vertical piece. Do you use the float feature of the hydraulics to allow the thatcher to move up and down while dethatching?
Katy Lee The dimensions are as follows: Bottom: 6.25", Vertical: 9.0" Top: 3.75". I do use the float feature of the hydraulic and the slots on the thatcher frame to allow it to follow the contours of my lawn.
Great video and lift. I am not as familiar with the 748. Does it have an auxiliary lift valve that you plumbed into, or did you have to install a pump?
Thanks for watching Richard. The X700 series from John Deere has a 2 spool hydraulic valve that is standard equipment and they valves are controlled by column mounted levers. The hydraulic cylinder that I used for the thatcher lift (got it off eBay) just connects into one set of those ports.
Enjoy your videos and have subscribed. Have a new X758 and learn something every day about this wonderful powerhouse. Why do you prefer the front thatcher ? Thanks and keep up the great work.
Thanks for watching and sorry I missed your comment. Sometimes UA-cam doesn't send notifications of a new comment. Anyways CONGRATS on your X758. I hope that you like yours as much as I like my X748.
Nice job. I am in process of making one. What are the details of the hoses and connectors? ?Quick connect into tractor, what size hose, looks like 90 degrees ends on hose - what size connections to 90 degree swivels attached to cylinder. Sorry for so many questions. This is my first time connecting an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder. Thanks
Thanks for watching. The cylinder and hoses that I used was from a JD front quick hitch. It was the angling cylinder and had all the fittings on it. If you purchase a different cylinder then the fittings and placement of the ports on the cylinder will be different thus requiring different types and maybe size of fittings. The hydraulic hoses are 1/4" so the fittings should be sized accordingly. I did use 90 degree fittings to the quick connects to keep the hoses close to the tractor.
Thanks. for your comment. I clean up the dead thatch and mix it with dirt and the leaves that I clean up in the fall. I have fairly large dirt pile now and the quality of the dirt is getting better every year.
I really enjoy your videos. You have a great great machines and well maintained property. I want to do this to my x734. Could you tell me how you did this? Acctuator? Is this from John Deere or did you fabricate this?
mndak76 Thanks for watching! The 4" hydraulic cylinder is from John Deere. I fabricated the "Z" bracket and slotted brackets. I welded the slotted brackets that the lower part of the hydraulic cylinder mounts to on the thatcher's cross member. The slots in the brackets allow the thatcher to follow the contours of the lawn.
Is that a 6" stroke cylinder? If you built another one, would you go with a longer cylinder to get a higher lift? I am in the process of building one and would appreciate any does and don't
Katy Lee Thanks for watching. It is a 4" stroke cylinder and I find that it is the perfect length for my setup (X748). I can open the hood all the way and not crunch the grill with it on. I've never thought about needing more lift than it has so I can't comment on using a 6" stroke cylinder instead of the 4" one.
Out of curiosity, why aren't you taking advantage of bagging that as you go? I have an x739 and bagger unit. Best part of the front thatcher is you can thatch, mow and bag all at the same time. Great videos, I have learned a lot from you and am about to dive into welding because of your vids! Please, keep them coming!
Thanks for watching and your query! Great minds think alike!. I usually do 3 swipes with the thatcher with the second at 90 degrees to the first and on the third one I have the mower and bagger on to do the clean-up like you do all in one shot. See this video of mine for reference : --> ua-cam.com/video/uahVxyFoAVA/v-deo.html
Sorry if I am asking to many question, however I do appreciate your help. I sent you an earlier email regarding diamensions and have one more question. Do you know the bore of the cylinder and the diameter of the shaft on the one you used? Thankyou
Katy Lee The cylinder that I use is from a quick hitch. It is the angling one and I got if off eBay quite cheap because it included all the hoses and couplers. It is a 4" stroke, 3" bore with a 1" shaft. Note you do not need to use one this big (diameter). You could use a 1 or 1.5" diameter one. The thatcher isn't that heavy to really warrant a 3" bore one.
Love the setup and I am trying to recreate what you did. I bought angling kit BM25609 and when I opened the kit the shaft from the cylinder was only 1 inches long fully retracted so I am wondering if that is normal because it seems like it should be 3 inches long retracted. Can you help me out please thank you so much?
Thanks for watching and your query. OK when your angling cylinder (which has a 4 inch stroke) is fully retracted and showing only 1 inch of the shaft it means that when installed, your quick hitch it will be fully rotated to the left. When your cylinder is extended 2 inches (3 inches of the shaft showing) it will make your quick hitch centered. When your angling cylinder is fully extended to the end of its 4 inch stroke (5 inches of the shaft showing) the quick hitch will be rotated fully to the right. Hope that this helps explain things.
I love this thatcher. I actually was looking for this on the JD website lol Until I read that you did it yourself. Anyway you can post a link to that hydraulic cylinder you purchased so we might be able to make one ourselves please?
THANKS for watching! The hydraulic cylinder and hoses are actually from a front quick hitch angling kit and I bought it used off of eBay. If you want to get the same cylinder/hoses/couplers from John Deere the part number is BM20837 or BM25609.
Thanks for watching. Sorry I somehow missed your comment. I believe that the plates that I welded on are 1 1/2" x 3". They have a slot in them for the pin to slide up and down int it irder to follow the contours of the lawn.
Yes I use a mulch kit when I am only cutting grass in late spring and summer. I don't use it in the early spring or late fall as I have a Cyclone Rake that I use to clean up the thatch in the spring and leaves in the fall
Thanks for watching. The thatcher I bought from John Deere. I fabricated the front bracket and mount. I used 4" stroke hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower it. See this video of mine for more details on the thatcher --> ua-cam.com/video/7PiN-utWGY8/v-deo.html
+SoundsFantastic Thanks for watching and I'm glad that you like my vids!. I usually go over my lawn 2 to 3 times in various directions with the thatcher before I attach the mower and the CR Z10 to bag up the thatch. Please see this video -> ua-cam.com/video/T7hQ77wVJ0g/v-deo.html
Thanks for watching. I bought a used 4" stroke hydraulic cylinder and fabricated the simple bracket that slides in the front receiver socket on the X700 series.
Some thatch (dead grass for eg.) is good for the lawn as it can decay and become nutrients for the lawn. Too much thatch is not. Dethatching a lawn brings up the dead matter/thatch so that air and water can get to the grass roots and its also help prevents diseases and pests. I clean up the dead thatch later.
Thanks for watching. I do employ 2 methods to have the thatcher "float" on the ground. The bracket on the thatcher that the hydraulic cylinder connects to is slotted and I always have the hydraulic in float mode when I de-thatch so there is no downward pressure. Thus the thatcher can easily follow the contours of the lawn via its front gauge wheels.
I like the idea of being able to raise the hood. Can you give me the dimensions of the Z bracket that mounts in the receiver. Length of horizontal pieces and the vertical piece. Do you use the float feature of the hydraulics to allow the thatcher to move up and down while dethatching?
Katy Lee The dimensions are as follows: Bottom: 6.25", Vertical: 9.0" Top: 3.75". I do use the float feature of the hydraulic and the slots on the thatcher frame to allow it to follow the contours of my lawn.
Great video and lift. I am not as familiar with the 748. Does it have an auxiliary lift valve that you plumbed into, or did you have to install a pump?
Thanks for watching Richard. The X700 series from John Deere has a 2 spool hydraulic valve that is standard equipment and they valves are controlled by column mounted levers. The hydraulic cylinder that I used for the thatcher lift (got it off eBay) just connects into one set of those ports.
Enjoy your videos and have subscribed. Have a new X758 and learn something every day about this wonderful powerhouse. Why do you prefer the front thatcher ?
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Thanks for watching and sorry I missed your comment. Sometimes UA-cam doesn't send notifications of a new comment. Anyways CONGRATS on your X758. I hope that you like yours as much as I like my X748.
Nice job. I am in process of making one. What are the details of the hoses and connectors? ?Quick connect into tractor, what size hose, looks like 90 degrees ends on hose - what size connections to 90 degree swivels attached to cylinder. Sorry for so many questions. This is my first time connecting an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder. Thanks
Thanks for watching. The cylinder and hoses that I used was from a JD front quick hitch. It was the angling cylinder and had all the fittings on it. If you purchase a different cylinder then the fittings and placement of the ports on the cylinder will be different thus requiring different types and maybe size of fittings. The hydraulic hoses are 1/4" so the fittings should be sized accordingly. I did use 90 degree fittings to the quick connects to keep the hoses close to the tractor.
Good job. I like it and what it does. Would like to know what you do with all the thatch or how you get it up?
Thanks. for your comment. I clean up the dead thatch and mix it with dirt and the leaves that I clean up in the fall. I have fairly large dirt pile now and the quality of the dirt is getting better every year.
@@X748SE curious why not run the lawn mower while dethatching? Thanks for the video
I really enjoy your videos. You have a great great machines and well maintained property. I want to do this to my x734. Could you tell me how you did this? Acctuator? Is this from John Deere or did you fabricate this?
mndak76 Thanks for watching! The 4" hydraulic cylinder is from John Deere. I fabricated the "Z" bracket and slotted brackets. I welded the slotted brackets that the lower part of the hydraulic cylinder mounts to on the thatcher's cross member. The slots in the brackets allow the thatcher to follow the contours of the lawn.
Is that a 6" stroke cylinder? If you built another one, would you go with a longer cylinder to get a higher lift? I am in the process of building one and would appreciate any does and don't
Katy Lee Thanks for watching. It is a 4" stroke cylinder and I find that it is the perfect length for my setup (X748). I can open the hood all the way and not crunch the grill with it on. I've never thought about needing more lift than it has so I can't comment on using a 6" stroke cylinder instead of the 4" one.
Out of curiosity, why aren't you taking advantage of bagging that as you go? I have an x739 and bagger unit. Best part of the front thatcher is you can thatch, mow and bag all at the same time. Great videos, I have learned a lot from you and am about to dive into welding because of your vids! Please, keep them coming!
Thanks for watching and your query! Great minds think alike!. I usually do 3 swipes with the thatcher with the second at 90 degrees to the first and on the third one I have the mower and bagger on to do the clean-up like you do all in one shot. See this video of mine for reference : --> ua-cam.com/video/uahVxyFoAVA/v-deo.html
I'm going to try your approach this year. Seems like it will be much more rewarding to watch the cleanup!
Sorry if I am asking to many question, however I do appreciate your help. I sent you an earlier email regarding diamensions and have one more question. Do you know the bore of the cylinder and the diameter of the shaft on the one you used? Thankyou
Katy Lee The cylinder that I use is from a quick hitch. It is the angling one and I got if off eBay quite cheap because it included all the hoses and couplers. It is a 4" stroke, 3" bore with a 1" shaft. Note you do not need to use one this big (diameter). You could use a 1 or 1.5" diameter one. The thatcher isn't that heavy to really warrant a 3" bore one.
got it done works awesome thanks
You Are Welcomed!
OK thanks again
Love the setup and I am trying to recreate what you did. I bought angling kit BM25609 and when I opened the kit the shaft from the cylinder was only 1 inches long fully retracted so I am wondering if that is normal because it seems like it should be 3 inches long retracted. Can you help me out please thank you so much?
Thanks for watching and your query. OK when your angling cylinder (which has a 4 inch stroke) is fully retracted and showing only 1 inch of the shaft it means that when installed, your quick hitch it will be fully rotated to the left. When your cylinder is extended 2 inches (3 inches of the shaft showing) it will make your quick hitch centered. When your angling cylinder is fully extended to the end of its 4 inch stroke (5 inches of the shaft showing) the quick hitch will be rotated fully to the right. Hope that this helps explain things.
@@X748SE Thank you so much.
@@adamsaltmarsh5194 You are Welcome!
I love this thatcher. I actually was looking for this on the JD website lol Until I read that you did it yourself. Anyway you can post a link to that hydraulic cylinder you purchased so we might be able to make one ourselves please?
THANKS for watching! The hydraulic cylinder and hoses are actually from a front quick hitch angling kit and I bought it used off of eBay. If you want to get the same cylinder/hoses/couplers from John Deere the part number is BM20837 or BM25609.
I have the same thatcher I purchased for a 455 which is manual lift. This video showed me how to mount it on my X754. Thanks.
What are the dimensions of the plates that are welded on?
Thanks for watching. Sorry I somehow missed your comment. I believe that the plates that I welded on are 1 1/2" x 3". They have a slot in them for the pin to slide up and down int it irder to follow the contours of the lawn.
do you use the mulch kit?
Yes I use a mulch kit when I am only cutting grass in late spring and summer. I don't use it in the early spring or late fall as I have a Cyclone Rake that I use to clean up the thatch in the spring and leaves in the fall
Where did you purchase that attachment in Mn?
Thanks for watching. The thatcher I bought from John Deere. I fabricated the front bracket and mount. I used 4" stroke hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower it. See this video of mine for more details on the thatcher --> ua-cam.com/video/7PiN-utWGY8/v-deo.html
Awesome video and old I know, but why don't you bag while doing it? MTF Member and the snowblower vids are why I subscribed.
+SoundsFantastic Thanks for watching and I'm glad that you like my vids!. I usually go over my lawn 2 to 3 times in various directions with the thatcher before I attach the mower and the CR Z10 to bag up the thatch. Please see this video -> ua-cam.com/video/T7hQ77wVJ0g/v-deo.html
+X748SE I do at least 2 as well, but I bag after each pass.
How did you adapt it how much
Thanks for watching. I bought a used 4" stroke hydraulic cylinder and fabricated the simple bracket that slides in the front receiver socket on the X700 series.
NICE. :) can u make 1 for my x724...lol what dose Thatcheing do 2 the lawn.im asking becuz sometimes i 4get things.lol
Some thatch (dead grass for eg.) is good for the lawn as it can decay and become nutrients for the lawn. Too much thatch is not. Dethatching a lawn brings up the dead matter/thatch so that air and water can get to the grass roots and its also help prevents diseases and pests. I clean up the dead thatch later.
X748SE o ok thanks 4 the info. im sare my lawn needs 2 be Dethatched..
i think you want to try to get it to "float' on the ground, so don't put a whole bunch of downward pressure on it.
Thanks for watching. I do employ 2 methods to have the thatcher "float" on the ground. The bracket on the thatcher that the hydraulic cylinder connects to is slotted and I always have the hydraulic in float mode when I de-thatch so there is no downward pressure. Thus the thatcher can easily follow the contours of the lawn via its front gauge wheels.
wow, i didn't realize the hydraulics were that advanced. but then, john deeres aren't exactly el cheapos !
JD has had to float feather for their hydraulic on their bigger GTs for a while now and you are correct JD aren't cheap to buy.