How-tos

ATV weight guide: average weight and limits. How much does an ATV weigh? It depends. A youth model is around 200 to 300 pounds. A sport quad is 350 to 450 pounds. A utility machine is 600 to 800 pounds or more. That range is wide because the machines are different. Engine size gives a clue. A 50cc ATV is about 215 pounds. A 500cc machine is 600 to 650 pounds. A 1000cc utility quad can weigh over 840 pounds. But the number on the spec sheet is often dry weight. That means no fuel, no oil, no coolant. Curb weight is the ready-to-ride number. Use that for trailer and ramp planning. GVWR is different. It is the maximum safe total weight with rider and cargo. State rules use specific definitions too. Minnesota and Maine both set a 2,000-pound dry weight limit. Width limits apply. Check the rules before you buy or ride.

Backhoe bucket size chart: how to choose the right bucket? The right bucket depends on the work first, then the machine. Trenching for pipe is not the same as moving loose topsoil. A bucket that works well in sand may be a poor choice in wet clay or rock. Compact backhoes use 8 to 18 inch buckets for trenching. Mid-class machines use 12 to 24 inches. Heavy-class machines use 12 to 36 inches. Large machines use 18 to 36 inches or more. But width alone is not enough. Check pin diameter, pin centers, and dipper gap before buying. Buckets are not universal. On larger machines with quick couplers, there is more flexibility. On smaller machines, exact dimensions matter more. Worn connection parts create play and poor fit. Estimate capacity by measuring internal dimensions and applying a heaping factor. Match the bucket to the job and the machine.

Having a tractor stuck in mud halts your work. Learn how to assess the situation, use self-recovery tricks like front loaders, and safely perform tractor-to-tractor pulls with kinetic ropes to get back to work quickly.

Replacing your chain and forgetting about the chainsaw chain direction during installation? Don’t worry. It is as simple as figuring out the direction your chainsaw teeth face. In this guide, we’ll give you simple, clear steps to install your chainsaw chain correctly every time.

5.9 vs 6.7 Cummins: which is better for long-term ownership? It depends on what you do with the truck. The 5.9 common rail has a cleaner reliability record. Fewer emissions systems. Simpler turbo. No DPF. No EGR cleaning cycle. Repair costs are lower too. Turbo service is easier. Injectors are simpler to deal with. The 6.7 is not fragile, but the VGT can stick from soot, and head gasket trouble shows up more often on hard-working trucks. On the other hand, the 6.7 pulls better. More low-end torque. Better exhaust brake. Nicer on steep grades. With a G56, the 5.9 is easier on the clutch. The 6.7 hits harder down low, which can wear clutch parts faster. Fuel economy? The engine is only part of it. Cab size, axle ratio, tires, and driving style matter more. A clean history beats a better engine.

Wondering if you can pressure wash your engine bay? While you can, it’s risky for electronics. This guide covers the safest method to avoid costly damage to sensors and wiring, and how to properly clean your UTV without harming bearings.

Your Stihl chainsaw makes it easier and quicker to bring down trees and manage growth. The chainsaw chain is the most critical component of this tool and should be kept sharp to get optimal performance. There are many ways to sharpen your chainsaw and we’ll walk you through how to sharpen a chainsaw with a file in this guide. It is as simple as setting the file, sharpening the cutters and filing the rakers. Let’s move on to reading for file selection and the detailed sharpening process.

Honda lawn mower oil capacity: correct fill amount, oil type, and dipstick check. Oil capacity depends on the engine family. GCV160 is 18.56 oz. GCV170 is 13.5 oz. GCV190 and GCV200 are 18.56 oz. GXV160 is 21.98 oz. That covers most Honda walk-behind and commercial mowers. For oil type, 10W-30 works for general conditions. SAE 30 is a good choice in steady warm weather. Synthetic 5W-30 helps when morning and daytime temperatures vary. The refill amount can be lower than the chart. Old oil left inside the crankcase is the main reason. Drain the oil when warm. Set the mower level. Add oil slowly. Wait for it to settle. Then read the dipstick. On many Honda mowers, the dipstick rests on the threads. Do not screw it in. That mistake gives a false low reading and leads to overfill. Overfilling causes smoke and rough running. Underfilling causes heat and wear. Check the level often during mowing season.

When your machinery suffers from rough idling or clogged filters, sludge is often the culprit. Discover how to clean a diesel fuel tank without removing it, along with heavy-duty solvent tips to prevent future contamination.

A welder’s duty cycle is a key performance specification. The duty cycle, usually expressed as a percentage, measures how long your machine can weld continuously at a specific amperage before it needs to cool down. For example, if your welder has a duty cycle of 200 Amps @ 30%, that means it will operate at 200A for 3 minutes within 10 minutes. For the other 7 minutes, your machine will switch to thermal overload to cool down.

Hydraulic pump replacement: what specs should you compare? A loader hydraulic pump replacement should match more than the bolt pattern. To keep lift speed, bucket response, and system force close to normal, compare flow, displacement, pressure rating, operating RPM, pump type, control style, rotation, shaft, mount, and port details before buying. Skip that check, and a pump can fit the machine but still run slow, hot, noisy, or weak. Flow controls speed. Pressure supports force. If the flow is too low, the boom and bucket slow down. If pressure capacity is too low, the loader loses lifting force. Physical fit gets the pump on the loader. Hydraulic fit keeps it working. Check suction hoses, filters, and oil condition before startup. Wrong rotation can damage the pump immediately.

How much does a backhoe weigh? A practical guide. It depends. A small compact backhoe can weigh under 5,000 lbs. A big loader backhoe can weigh over 25,000 lbs. Most machines doing daily work sit somewhere between 13,000 and 18,000 lbs. But the machine is only part of it. Add a rear bucket and you are up another 400 lbs or so. Add a hammer, a ripper, a coupler, and counterweights, and the number keeps climbing. On a Cat 420, the stock bucket alone is 1,642 lbs. Swap in one with fold-over forks and it is 2,017 lbs. Add the extendible stick and that is 595 lbs more. Air conditioning is another 99 lbs. ROPS and FOPS add 320 lbs. So the spec sheet number is just a starting point. If you are hauling, weigh the machine with everything on it.