Let it run or off and on

[aczlan]

With me, it depends on what I am doing.
Hooking up a haywagon? Let it run.
Hooking up ANYTHING with a PTO? OFF.
Hooking up/disconnecting something that uses hydraulics (if I didn't release the pressure before starting)? Off

My rule of thumb is that if it has a PTO shaft and I could possibly get into it, the tractor is off before I leave the seat. Thus, if I am adjusting the PTO powered 4 basket rake, the engine is OFF, same for the baler, the tiller, the mower conditioner, etc. The extra wear and tear on the engine isn't worth as much as my limbs/life are.

Aaron Z

 

[czechsonofagun]

I use it on weekends and sometimes during the week with the hardest duty being MMM or dirt scoop. IMO the engine is happiest while running - I leave it idling unless I go for lunch or need to do something that needs over 15 minutes of time. The HST tends to creep forward/backward no matter how well I found the middle so I got into a habit of shifting the HST to N before I get off.

 

[EE_Bota]

For me getting off is not an issue - but more than once getting back on I have swung my leg over the tranny case and accidentally put my foot on the GO pedal. With an HST its always "in gear" so the tractor lunges forwards and the brakes scream (I almost always put the parking brake on). One time... it really did get a bit ugly as I was standing in the saddle when my foot hit the go pedal. I'm more careful now... but the HST really makes it easy to be complaisant!

Hi,
Are you absolutely sure you do not have a neutral? My tractor is HST, but I can switch to "rabbit", "neutral", or "turtle." If yours does not have a neutral, then I agree 100%, turn that thing off! Sometimes the "go" pedal on a lot of these is always trying to go a little, even if you aren't touching it.

As for the main topic, my tractor does not get enough use, so I am an idler. Also, I am a periodic charger. In lean times, I slap a charger on it to make sure it stays all charged up. I use a "smart" charger which can blast the sulfates off the plates if needed.

 

[niedejb]

My exhaust has killed the grass in three different spots due to idling.

Only reason I know where the spots were are due to the huge limbs that I had to move after the last storm.

Turned the PTO off, dismounted, picked up limbs, continued mowing. Next week in the spots I stopped, there are browning patches.

FYI only for the grass fanatics out there.

 

[Grubs]

Hi,
Are you absolutely sure you do not have a neutral? My tractor is HST, but I can switch to "rabbit", "neutral", or "turtle." If yours does not have a neutral, then I agree 100%, turn that thing off! Sometimes the "go" pedal on a lot of these is always trying to go a little, even if you aren't touching it.

Oh yes - I have a neutral between the hi and low range as yours does - I'm just not in the habit of using it when I jump off to do something quick like move a rock or bit of wire thats in my path ... shame on me! I don't change speeds often so I hadn't thought of selecting neutral. You might have just improved my driving habits!:thumbsup:

 

[countrybumpkin]

I'm an idler, unless I'm off to work on an a PTO driven piece of equipment or such. I have even let it run on the trailer while towing from one place to the other, but mostly in cold weather.

 

[daveshoot]

I remain slightly frightened of all power equipment, plus I am cheap. I do leave the tractor running when I am only off for a minute, but in N with parking brake on. If it's more than a minute or two I shut 'er down. Don't know if that's right but it makes me feel better.

 

[CurlyDave]

Mechanical issues aside, I just can't get comfortable dismounting a tractor while it is running. I realize it can be done safely, but old habits die hard or in some cases not at all.

I totally agree.

Sure it can be done safely with some tractors, but there is a current thread about a new MF tractor where the parking brake failed to hold and it went or a wild ride with great damage at the end.

For my money, a new battery every few years is a lot cheaper than the consequences of a tractor running off on its own.

I shut it down unless I absolutely have to leave it running for somer reason.

 

[DiezNutz]

Each Kubota model is a little bit different, let alone making comparisons between different brands & models.

Count me in the "hop off & leave it running for 5-10 minutes" column.

Sometimes the "go" pedal on a lot of these is always trying to go a little, even if you aren't touching it.

If correctly adjusted and lubricated though, it really shouldn't. Mine doesn't creep one bit when at rest.

If fact, my HST won't coast at all except on a grade of more than a few degrees, and even then its natural resistance doesn't allow it to roll fast.
If I'm on level ground I might only set the brake when I hop off, if I'm on a grade I also drop the bucket.

So if all of those things fail and my tractor still runs away, then I can only conclude that someone upstairs or downstairs had it out for me.

 

[EE_Bota]

If correctly adjusted and lubricated though, it really shouldn't. Mine doesn't creep one bit when at rest.

Actually, my tractor doesn't creep either, so I know your point is a good one. But some do, and there was the other post where the fellow mentioned hitting the pedal by accident.

If I park and idle, I through it out of gear, and lock the brakes. If I park and turn it off, I leave it in gear, and lock the brakes, and drop the bucket. If I am parking for the night in it's level storage area, I leave it in gear, drop the bucket, but leave the brake off.