Those are excellent tips for picking compost. And that is a genius idea for scooping it up. I have access to an ancient bed of horse manure. It has been cool and non-smelly for several years. I had been shoveling it but I'll cut up a bucket and see how fast that goes. Might be a little more back breaking, though. I would never pick up a yard of anything with a "normal" pick-up truck. Minimum structural size would be a Ford F-250 or a Chev 2500. F-350 would be preferred. Picking it up yourself really cuts the cost but your time is worth something. Sounds like you spent a good part of the day bagging compost.

locknut - I checked under both front boots and the cables were in tact. They seemed loose so I thought an adustment was required. Since I couldn't find any info on cable adjustment I decided to go to the dealer. I didn't investigate any further at that point, just hurried up and off I went to the dealer. Turns out one of the cables was broken. The service rep didn't know where the cable broke but said he would make sure the mechanic saved the old cable. It will cost me about 140 as well. I run mine hard as well so I guess a visit to the dealer after four years isn't bad. Thanks for your help!

I agree that you should stick with the recommended pressures. In my opinion there are two reasons. 1.) With incorrect pressure that tractor floats on the tires. ie tires side walls flex. This give ridges in the yard as the tractor leans as you go around corners. 2.) While many of you will not have this problems, the tractor will be less stable on slopes as the tires let the tractor move in an uncontrolled manner, shifting back an forth. I have an eroded slope in front of the house that raises about 10 feet in 30'. Without properly inflated tires the scare factor increases significantly as the tractor goes into an out of these ruts, shifting its weights when you don't want it. PS: Yes it is a mess but we down sized to this house a little over a year and it takes time to get all of the things done you want to do. This is the obama economy, so cash is significantly short.

Carburetor - from the original Greek word carbutaum which means don't mess with it Channel Locks - a substitute for every wrench you don't have Screw Driver - a chisel in hiding DVM - the best $3 you'll never spend at Harbor Freight Fuse - a hidden switch to turn something electrical on your tractor OFF