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Purple Collar Life
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28:25
Will Mountain Mode save this high mileage Volt?
After 193,000 miles, how is this 2014 Chevy Volt 1.4 l engine really holding up? Can Mountain Mode keep this car running to 500,000 miles? In this video, I walk through a step-by-step oil change on our high-mileage 2014 Chevy Volt and share real-world experience from owning and maintaining a plug-in hybrid with almost 200,000 miles. While many of those miles were driven in EV mode, the gas engine (generator) still plays a critical role—especially during cold winter driving. One topic that doesn’t get discussed enough is how driving modes affect long-term battery health on high-mileage Volts. Recently, we’ve been using Mountain Mode much more often—especially in winter—to help protect the high-voltage battery and reduce stress on the system. I explain how that works. We discuss: How a high-mileage Chevy Volt actually holds up over time Why we use Amsoil full synthetic high-mileage oil and an Amsoil oil filter The reality of mixed EV miles vs engine miles on a plug-in hybrid Why using Mountain Mode helps prevent deep battery discharge How keeping a reserve charge can reduce battery stress in cold weather Why we avoid running the battery all the way down before getting home How Mountain Mode and Hold Mode can help avoid warnings like “Propulsion Power Reduced” and high-voltage battery faults What the oil condition tells us about engine health after nearly 200k miles Range extender EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles Amsoil High Mileage oil For high-mileage Volt owners, managing battery state of charge is just as important as engine maintenance. Our goal isn’t to squeeze out every last electric mile—it’s to keep both the battery and engine healthy for the long haul. This Volt is our college-age daughter’s daily driver, so reliability matters. Preventive maintenance and smart driving habits are what help keep this car dependable year after year. If you’re interested in DIY vehicle maintenance, long-term vehicle ownership, hybrids and EVs, or practical ways to extend the life of high-mileage vehicles, this is real-world experience—not hype. 🔧 This is Purple Collar Life — white collar people doing blue collar work. -------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published January 18, 2026 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 92,776 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/
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14:44
6 Common Snow Plowing MISTAKES that make long driveways worse. (25 years experience)
Snow plowing a long driveway seems simple — until you’ve done it wrong a few times. After years of maintaining our long rural driveway in northwest Pennsylvania, we’ve learned that small plowing mistakes can create big problems: ice buildup, narrowing lanes, poor visibility, damaged gravel, and a lot of unnecessary rework. In this video, I break down 6 common snow plowing mistakes that actually make long driveways worse, whether you’re using a truck plow, tractor, skid steer, ATV, or UTV. These are mistakes I’ve made myself — and fixed the hard way. If you deal with: • Long rural driveways • Gravel driveways • Lake-effect snow • Limited space to push snow • Plowing with a truck or tractor This video will help you plow smarter, not harder, and keep your driveway wider, safer, and easier to maintain all winter long. We’re not professional snow contractors — just white-collar people doing blue-collar work and sharing what actually works in the real world. 👉 Let us know in the comments what equipment you use to plow snow and what mistakes you’ve learned to avoid. Thanks for watching — and stay safe out there. — Purple Collar Life
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13:20
F150 Lightning Winter Driving Review - I did NOT expect this.
How Does the F-150 Lightning Do in the Snow? | Real Winter Review. Lake effect snow test. Living in northwest Pennsylvania means real winter driving — lake-effect snow, icy back roads, unplowed driveways, and long, cold months. I’ve owned a lot of vehicles over the years, from 2WD to traditional 4x4 trucks, and after spending a full winter with our Ford F-150 Lightning, I can honestly say this is the best winter driving experience I’ve ever had. In this video, I break down how the F-150 Lightning actually performs in the snow, not in theory — but in real, everyday winter driving. Here’s what I cover: Why the Lightning’s balanced weight (thanks to the large battery) makes a huge difference in snow and ice How dual electric motors make it feel more like AWD than traditional 4-wheel drive. Why the truck doesn’t need a “snow mode” — it’s already smart enough to manage traction on its own Night driving in snow and why the headlights are excellent without needing fog lights. How the Goodyear Terrain HT all-season tires perform surprisingly well — and how winter tires could improve it even more. Honest winter range numbers, what I’m seeing compared to summer, and how pre-conditioning affects real-world use. Winter comfort features like heated seats, heated steering wheel, and a heater that actually keeps up in cold weather. Acceleration, braking, and steering in snow — plus why I turn one-pedal driving OFF for winter conditions. If you’re wondering how an electric truck handles real winter weather, or you’re skeptical that an EV can work in snow country, this video is for you. As always, this is a real-world review from someone who actually lives and drives in winter — not a press demo or a one-day test. 👇 Let me know in the comments: How does your vehicle handle winter driving? Would you run winter tires on a Lightning? Do you use one-pedal driving in snow? Thanks for watching and supporting Purple Collar Life. -------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published January 4, 2026 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 91,536 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/
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12:11
F150 Lightning resale values are tanking - horrible depreciation. Why I'm not too worried.
Why I’m NOT Worried About Ford F-150 Lightning Depreciation and Resale Value (And You Shouldn’t Be Either). I’ve gotten a lot of comments lately saying Ford canceled the Lightning and now my resale value is ruined on this truck. Some people seem genuinely worried for me… so let’s talk about it. Misconceptions - purchase price, insurance cost, depreciation. Used Lariat F150 - similar pricing between Lightning version and 5.0 V8 Coyote version. Insurance is high - on any newer truck similarly equipped. $2000/year. Priced Lightning vs similar Lariat F150 with 5.0 engine. #depreciation #resale #f150lightning #EVdepreciation The Big Truth: Vehicles Are Terrible Investments. Cars, trucks—all depreciate. The fastest depreciation happens early. Anyone buying a vehicle for “resale value” is already losing. This applies to gas, diesel, hybrid, and EVs. No vehicle is a good resale-value investment. They’re tools. The exception - every used Ford Bronco I’ve purchased. They all sell for more than I buy them for. How We Personally Deal With Depreciation- Strategy #1: Buy Used When It Makes Sense. Original MSRP of our Lightning: nearly $80,000. Original buyer Paid below MSRP, Got ~$7,500 tax credit, 0% financing. I bought it for $50,000 about 12 months later. Biggest depreciation already happened — not on my watch. Strategy #2: Keep Vehicles a LONG Time. 10, 15, even 20 years. At that point, depreciation becomes meaningless. Value shifts from “what it’s worth” to “what it does for us”. If you keep a vehicle long enough, resale value becomes irrelevant. Bought Lightning 6 months ago for ~$50,000 KBB today: ~$46,245. Yes, it depreciated more. And it will continue to drop in value as it ages and accumulates more miles. No, it doesn’t matter because: I'm not selling. It’s doing exactly what I bought it for. Cost per mile improves the longer I own it. If it gets 250,000 miles, the cost will be minuscule. Real-World Proof: Other Vehicles We Own. 2014 Chevy Volt Bought new under $40,000 Heavy incentives (federal, state, local) 190,000+ miles Essentially trouble-free KBB value: ~$1,000–$2,800 Worth FAR more than that to our family. 2009 Ford Expedition Bought used for ~$15,000 over a decade ago KBB today: ~$4,000–$6,700 Still useful, still reliable Still cheaper than replacing it. Key Point These vehicles “lost value”, but saved us money over time. The Difference Between Internet Math and Real Life Internet focuses on resale value. Real life focuses on: Reliability Operating costs Comfort Utility A vehicle you own outright and trust is worth more than KBB shows. Final Takeaway: Why I’m Not Worried - The Lightning fits our life. I didn’t buy it to flip it. Depreciation is expected. Long-term ownership neutralizes resale anxiety. If resale value keeps you up at night, you’re buying vehicles for the wrong reason. How long do you keep your vehicles? What’s the best ‘bad investment’ you’ve ever owned? Why I’m NOT Worried About F-150 Lightning Depreciation The Truth About EV Depreciation (And Why It Doesn’t Matter) My F-150 Lightning Lost Value… So What? Resale Value Is Overrated: My Take on Lightning Depreciation 2023 Ford F150 Lightning Lariat ER -------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 31, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 90,830 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/
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15:45
The BEST Tractor Tires for Plowing Snow? Carlstar Versaturf Review
Plowing snow isn’t always as simple as fresh powder — and this storm proved it. In this video, I’m plowing snow with our John Deere 2210 equipped with an Artillian power-angle plow, Curtis cab with heat, and Carlstar Carlisle Versaturf hybrid radial tires. We had 6 inches of snow, a partial thaw that created a hard crust, and then more snow on top — some of the toughest conditions you can face when plowing. Versa Turf tractor tires. That’s where the Carlstar Versaturf tires really shine. These hybrid tires combine ag-style bars that can dig down through crusted snow and ice, with a wide radial footprint that allows the tractor to float instead of digging holes or losing traction. The result is confident pushing power, better control, and less wheel spin in layered, difficult snow conditions. I rarely even need 4 wheel drive anymore when plowing, except in certain circumstances which I explain. #TractorSnow #versaturf #compacttractor #carlstar #snowplowing #tractorlife #purplecollarlife In this video, I talk about: Why layered snow is harder to plow than fresh snowfall How Versaturf tires balance traction and flotation Why these tires work so well on compact tractors Real-world snow plowing with the JD 2210 in a long gravel driveway, not a parking-lot test If you’re trying to decide between R1 ag tires, turf tires, or hybrids for winter work, this video should help you decide what actually works when conditions aren’t perfect. Chains aren't needed with these radial Versaturf tires. 👉 Let me know in the comments what tires you’re running on your tractor in the snow. Thanks for watching and supporting Purple Collar Life. Carlstar Versa Turf tires and wheels for rear (2) Versa Turf Tire Assemblies 26x12.00-12 Fits John Deere TCU20390 M121628: https://amzn.to/3M4g9C7 Carlstar Versa Turf tires and wheels for front (2) Versa Turf Tire Assemblies 18x8.50-10 Fits John Deere 1023E 1026R 1025R LVA20123: https://amzn.to/4fJpYD4 --------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 27, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 89,733 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/ 0:00 – plowing snow with John Deere 2210
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19:57
Split Fire 2265 - 4 year review of this log splitter
We’ve owned this Split-Fire 2265 log splitter for over 4 years now… here’s what we’ve learned after splitting a lot of firewood. Why We Bought It Price point vs alternatives; Honda engine, 2-way design, log lift, performance, engineering advantages. 1. Honda Engine Performance (4 Years In) Starts easily, low maintenance, plenty of power, fuel efficiency. 2. Log Lift — Long-Term Back Saver Most-used feature, doubles as staging table, reliable hydraulics. 3. 2-Way Splitting — Productivity Booster Splits forward and backward, reducing downtime and boosting real-world output. 4. Speed and cycle time Perfect pacing for one-person operation 5. Handling and Maneuverability Lightweight for its class. Easy to tow and move around by hand. Compact design. 6. Storage and Footprint Small footprint, easy storage. 7. Durability and construction Beam, wedge, hydraulic components, hoses, tires, and paint all holding up extremely well. No loss in power or cycle speed. 8. Engineering advantages Lower Tonnage Performs Like Higher Tonnage. One of the most underrated strengths of the Split-Fire design. The unique log stop allows the wood to open naturally as the wedge pushes through it. This prevents the wood from squeezing the knife, which is what creates resistance (binding) on many other splitters. Because the log isn’t binding the blade, the machine doesn’t waste tonnage fighting unnecessary friction. The result: A lower-tonnage hydraulic system performs as well—or better—than many high-tonnage “spec-sheet” splitters. The feel is smoother, faster, and more controlled compared to brute-force machines. 9. Choosing split size. The moving knife advantage. Super easy to control the split size by adjusting the wedge travel. One of the biggest workflow advantages over traditional fixed-wedge machines. 10. Fun factor Smooth, fast, and satisfying to run—log lift + 2-way action make it feel like professional equipment. 11. Value. Great machine for the price. Generational equipment that can be bought once and passed down. Professional grade machine without the commercial price tag. Built to last decades, not years. After 4 years—this splitter has absolutely earned its keep. It performs better than its tonnage rating, it’s fast, and it’s built like a lifetime tool. Split-Fire log splitter playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJy7cj0ut2cCSKfPN0NxATQSRHe6JjZ1P Split-Fire 2265 website - https://split-fire.com/us/log-splitter-2265-us/ --------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com OUR EQUIPMENT LIST John Deere 2210 Tractor Ford 641 Workmaster tractor Ford 8N tractor Split-Fire 2265 and 3465 two-way log splitter Stihl chainsaws MS271 MS290 MS261C We live in Northwestern PA and have 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We enjoy working on our property with tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 21, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 87,513 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. 0:00 -
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11:59
The Real Cost to Drive an F150 Lightning. 6 months and 8000 miles of data
Did I Make a Huge Financial Mistake Buying an EV? After 6 months and 8,000 miles with our Ford F-150 Lightning… I got a notice that our electricity costs are going up 16%. And at the same time, some experts are saying gasoline could fall below $2 a gallon. So… was this EV a big financial l mistake? Let’s run the numbers. EMPORIA Pro Level 2 EV Charger with PowerSmart - 48 amp Fast EV Charger for Home with Hardwire and J1772 Connector - 240v Electric Vehicle Charging Station - https://amzn.to/3YxfSgZ Grizzl-E Mini Connect Level 1-2 Portable Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger up to 40 Amp, UL Certified, Indoor/Outdoor Electric Car Fast Charging Station, NEMA 14-50 Plug, 25 feet Cable, J1772 Connector - https://amzn.to/4q5E9Xj We’ve owned our Lightning for 6 months and 8000 miles. We charge at home most of the time, but we’ve also used Tesla Superchargers on road trips. We’re going to look at every penny we’ve spent on electricity, compare it to what a gas-powered F-150 would have cost… and then project the numbers for 2026 when electricity prices go up. Home Charging Current electricity rate: $0.132 per kWh Total cost over 6 months: $403 That is every kilowatt the Lightning pulled since buying it—nothing hidden, nothing adjusted. Tesla Superchargers: $136.64 Total EV charging cost $403 + $136.64 = $539.64 Cost per mile: $0.0675 For every mile we drive the Lightning, we’re paying about six and three-quarter cents. Compare that to a gasoline F-150. EcoBoost model averaging around 20 miles per gallon. 8,000 miles ÷ 20 mpg = 400 gallons of gasoline Current average: $3.55/gal × 400 gallons = $1,420 If gas falls to $2.00/gal: $2.00 × 400 = $800 In the absolute best case scenario for gasoline, you're still spending over $800, compared to the Lightning’s $540. And using today’s prices, you're spending nearly three times more with gas. But what about that 16% increase? New electricity rate: $0.153 per kWh. If we re-ran the last 6 months at the 2026 rate: Home charging portion increases to roughly: $626.40 So even with the higher electric rate, our total would have been about $626, which is still lower than the best-case scenario gas price. And nowhere near the $1,420 we’d pay at today’s pump prices. Now, keep in mind—this is just fuel cost. The Lightning also saves more money because: No oil changes No spark plugs, no exhaust system work Brakes SHOULD last longer due to regen Fewer moving parts = less long-term maintenance These aren’t small savings. Over a couple of years they add up substantially. So after 6 months, what’s the verdict? Honestly, the Lightning has been enjoyable to drive, perfectly capable for most of what we need, and cheap to operate. If gas suddenly crashes below $2 for the next few years, sure—gas trucks start to look more competitive. But based on the real numbers from our real usage? The EV still comes out ahead. Did I make a financial mistake buying an EV? I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’re seeing gas prices coming down in your area or if your electric company is raising rates too. Drop a comment and let’s compare notes. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for more Purple Collar Life videos. EV charging cost. F150 EcoBoost vs F150 Lightning. Cost per mile to drive an EV. #ev #evtips #f150lightning #evtruck #purplecollarlife #costpermile ---------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 13, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 86,570 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches 0:00 – Cold Open
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23:29
Why I can finally use a quick hitch on my classic tractor! Good Works Fast Cat 1 Ford 601 tractor
If you’ve ever wanted to run a quick hitch on older tractors without modifying every 3-point implement you own… this is the video you’ve been waiting for. In today’s video, I finally get to use a quick hitch on BOTH my Ford 601 and my John Deere, thanks to the new Good Works Tractors Fast Cat 1 Quick Hitch. Its smart design means no bushings required—which also means no permanent changes to my implements. Now all our attachments can still be shared across the whole family fleet, including Dad’s Ford 8N and his John Deere. Good Works Tractor affiliate links: Here is the link for the Fast Cat 1 quick hitch: https://www.goodworkstractors.com/product/quick-hitch-for-category-i-3-point-gwt-fast-cat-i/ref/12/ Versa bracket weight bracket: https://www.goodworkstractors.com/product/gwt-versabracket-weight-bracket/ref/12/ Quick hitch weight hangers: https://www.goodworkstractors.com/product/gwt-hitch-hangers/ref/12/ Here is the link for Good Works Tractors website - http://www.goodworkstractors.com/ref/12/ I walk through why this quick hitch works on classic tractors, how simple the installation is, and what makes the Fast Cat 1 different from every other quick hitch I’ve researched. If you’ve struggled with compatibility issues or didn’t want to alter your older equipment, this design might be exactly what you need. Finally—a quick hitch that works for vintage tractors, modern tractors, and everything in between, without altering your 3-point attachments. Let me know in the comments: Are you running a quick hitch on your older tractor? Have you found one that works without modifying your implements? #goodworks #quickhitch #fordtractor #purplecollarlife #Ford601 #thisisbetter ---------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 9, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 84,942 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/ 0:00 – Why I avoided a quick hitch on my tractors 0:50 - Ford 8N, Ford 641, John Deere 750, John Deere 2210 1:22 - Pin bushings for quick hitches - until now 1:38 - GWT Fast Cat 2:35 - Rear ballast 6:23 - Removing the 3 point ballast box 7:04 - Those turnbuckles - not a fan 7:58 - Installing the quick hitch step-by-step - EASY! 11:40 - First test 12:10 - Adjustments 14:25 - Weight brackets for quick hitch 15:18 - Versabracket - with 2-inch receiver, hooks for chains, chainsaw holder, and weight bracket 17:20 - Measurements and fitting test 20:10 - Ford 641 Workmaster - Fast Cat 1 quick hitch in action 22:22 - Quick hitch advantages
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11:55
6 volt tractor cold start on a freezing day. Ford 601 series snow day drive. 641 Workmaster
I am taking the original 6-volt Ford 641 Workmaster (601 series Ford tractor) out for a true winter cold-start test. This tractor is still running the factory-style electrical postive ground system with 6-volt starter and generator, and in this video I share the simple method I use to start it quickly and easily—even in cold weather. Cold start tips and best practices for a vintage 6 volt tractor. Below freezing temperatures. Here's what works with this tractor. After the cold start, I take our classic Ford tractor for a drive through fresh snow and talk about why tire condition is so important for traction and safety this time of year. There’s just something special about using a classic tractor like this on a beautiful snowy day, and the 641 proves once again why these old machines have so much character. We also get to see a nice whitetail buck in the fresh snow on our property. #classictractor #fordtractor #coldstart #6volttractor #purplecollarlife #fordworkmaster #ford601 #tractor #tractorvideo #deerseason In this video you’ll see: ✔️ Cold start with original 6-volt system ✔️ The technique I use for reliable winter starts ✔️ Driving the Ford 641 in fresh snow ✔️ Why good tires matter on an older tractor ✔️ Enjoying what makes vintage tractors so fun to own and use Whether you’re a Ford N-series and Workmaster fan, a tractor enthusiast, or someone who loves old iron doing real work, this video should bring back some memories. Thanks for watching, and let us know in the comments how your tractor handles winter! I made a video in the past about the starting process for our Ford 8n tractor also - slightly different than starting the Ford 601 series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDl2YH4IyyU Here is our entire tractor playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJy7cj0ut2cDcZW-8im2dYlUWdVcMHDDA Subscribe for more tractor content, homestead projects, firewood videos, and equipment tips from Purple Collar Life. ---------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published December 4, 2025 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 84,550 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/ 0:00 – Cold Open 0:30 - 4 inches of snow 0:57 - Cold start tips for old Ford tractors 1:35 - Throttle and choke settings 2:05 - Cold start test - adjusting choke 2:39 - Warm up time 3:01 - Ford 601 series tractor 3:15 - tire condition for snow/winter 3:44 - Original 6 volt starter, generator 4:08 - Tractor ride 6:13 - Steering in snow 7:28 - making tracks 8:29 - watching the gauges - oil pressure, fuel 10:15 - Mail run during lunch hour 10:25 - Nice buck out back!
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