Lessons I learned in 'My first 10 hours! '

[Mountain Hill]

Got my l3800 with FEL & 65" box Blade delivered. I put it to work right away, along with testing where the machine will travel. What lesson's have I learned:
1)the box blade has found a lot of rocks in my driveway
2)with some patience the FEL will pick, push and roll out a fairly large rock
3)although you can push over small trees, it's wise to have a chainsaw with you when traveling on narrow trails
4)while box blade is great for ballast, it's a hassle when it's hooks up on as stump on uneven ground
5)make your storage building doors wider, hitting the building can do some damage
6)when stuck in a muddy field, is the best time to discover your not in four wheel drive
7)have extra fuel, you'll need it before hour 10

It's been a great weekend, had the chance to put the machine through it's paces. So far pleased with what it will do. Looking forward to ground drying up, as I have more chores to tackle.

 

[creekbend]

I have a Kubota L4400. I'm still learning things each and every time I use it. I plan to install T&T once I save some more money. It will make it easier when I use my Box Blade.

 

[TripleR]

Like creekbend, I have way more hours but still learn stuff on a regular basis and probably will until the last time I get off; always seems to be something to learn.

 

[Mountain Hill]

(Creekbend,) what is a T&T?

 

[crazyangel]

(Creekbend,) what is a T&T?

Lots of good lessons you mentioned there. I agree there is always something to learn...

T&T is shorthand for Top & Tilt hydraulic cylinders on your three point hitch. These replace the top link and the adjustable side link. You need to have two remote hydraulic valves to install these, and they allow you to make adjustments to the three point linkage on the fly without leaving the seat. It's a very hand addition.

 

[kiotiken]

(Creekbend,) what is a T&T?

Top And Tilt. They are hydraulic cylinders that replace the top link and one of the sides on the 3pt. It allows you to change the bite of an implement or the angle of the implement while you're working. You will need 2 remotes (pairs of hydraulic couplers at the rear of the tractor).

 

[kiotiken]

LOL, great minds think a like, crazyangels is obviously just a little faster!

 

[murphy1244]

Sounds like you had some fun

 

[vtsnowedin]

If your going to start hoeing out big rocks from the driveway you are going to need a load of good clean granular material to backfill the holes with before SWMBO comes home and drives her car into a hole "You" dug!!! A ten wheeler load dumped back out of the way but handyby is good to have on hand for such projects and it will keep until you need it.

 

[RobertN]

Best thing I did to my old Kubota B8200HSTD. It just has not been in the budget for the current NH TC40D; I really miss it!

Tractors should come with TnT by default IMHO, it is so handy...

I have a Kubota L4400. I'm still learning things each and every time I use it. I plan to install T&T once I save some more money. It will make it easier when I use my Box Blade.

 

[s219]

In my first 10 hours, I discovered that the ROPS can tear the roof off a brand new pole barn you build for your brand new tractor right quick. Folding the ROPS avoids the problem altogether.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Be careful when digging up your driveway, as some enthusiastic new tractor owners accidentally end up digging up their base rocks without realizing they're intended to be there.

 

[creekbend]

Best thing I did to my old Kubota B8200HSTD. It just has not been in the budget for the current NH TC40D; I really miss it!

Tractors should come with TnT by default IMHO, it is so handy...

That sounds like a great idea to me also.

 

[Kub39]

In my first 10 hours, I learned the front bucket sticks out further than I thought. I learned this as I side swiped a telephone pole as I was turning. It didn't move. Luckily I was watching for it and was going slow...but was still glad no one saw. I did the look around before driving off.

 

[Mountain Hill]

In my first 10 hours, I discovered that the ROPS can tear the roof off a brand new pole barn you build for your brand new tractor right quick. Folding the ROPS avoids the problem altogether.

I hit my new pole barn addtion also, bucket only, and just a couple of times, still standing. Spent part of day making doors wider, I was so concerned about tractor width of 60" when framing, when I should have worried about the 66" wide bucket!

 

[troutsqueezer]

First thing I learned in the first ten hours was that a tree branch doesn't have to be very big to hurt like all holy h#ll as it passes the ROPS and smacks you in the face.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Always keep in 4wd going down hills and never go down hills on wet grass plus all of the above mentioned happenings. Added an addition on to the side of my vinyl sided garage so can't see the slice in the vinyl any more. My tractor bldg has a hole in the side beside the door and the opening is round in the center. People used to point out my modified tractor bldg when I used to post pictures of it in the background.

 

[fordmantpw]

First thing I learned in the first ten hours was that a tree branch doesn't have to be very big to hurt like all holy h#ll as it passes the ROPS and smacks you in the face.

I've got 420 hours on my BX, and I still find that out, nearly every time I cut grass with it! No matter how much I try to avoid the limbs, they always seem to outsmart me!

 

[CanuckPT]

In my first 10 hours, I learned the front bucket sticks out further than I thought. I learned this as I side swiped a telephone pole as I was turning. It didn't move. Luckily I was watching for it and was going slow...but was still glad no one saw. I did the look around before driving off.

Leave any orange paint behind as evidence? I left some on my mailbox post & I've scarred a few trees to demonstrate my learning curve!!

 

[dstig1]

Take the parking brake off. Did you check it? No, you left it on, you moron! (again...:ashamed