Tractor on Order - What's Next

[cat fever]

All good advice so far.

My advice; use it. Look for things to do. If you have hilly or uneven surfaces go slow and get familiar with the tractor. Most important of all; have fun.

 

[ransonjd]

I think I'm okay on tools. I'm an engineer. I have a pretty good set. I might need a few odd sizes though.

Homeowners insurance won't work for me. We haven't built on the property yet.

A blade or blower is on the list of things to buy before the fall. We'll have a fairly straight driveway and lot of space to move the snow, so I'm thinking a blade is the way to go. Along with that, I'm considering a PTO backup generator for the house. It's too easy to forget maintenance on a standalone generator engine that's never used.

I've already got the dealer installing a block heater. I'm going to give the R1 tires a chance before investing in chains.

--John

 

[AxleHub]

Random, if you're an engineer, you should have mentioned that early on. . . . Using a tractor is an act of "applied practical geometry" lol

 

[Wagtail]

Random, if you're an engineer, you should have mentioned that early on. . . . Using a tractor is an act of "applied practical geometry" lol

An engineer!!!!

They are the bane of all technicians, along with technologists. They're the ones that 'design a system' without thinking how a technician/mechanic is going to access the broken part in order to repair/replace it later on. A pox on all their houses!

 

[Turbys_1700]

If you can swing it a metal car port is the lowest cost metal shed you can get around here. A 20x20 runs around 1K and offers great protection from the elements.

 

[wsc9tt]

The only thing I didn't see on your list that I consider essential is a box scraper. They are very useful for lots of projects, especially maintaining a gravel driveway. I find you want the heaviest thing you can afford. I have the "Severe XTreme" one from EA and there I times I think a bit more weight would make it work better. Before I had a generic one like they sell at tractor supply and I was really not understanding why people would want one.

But take your time and watch craigslist. I bought a nice blade on craigslist. The previous owner had bent the frame all up and couldn't use it. Since I have a hydro remotes on the rear arms that didn't really cause me any problems at all. $100 for this:

The actual blade was perfectly straight.

I got the chains from one of the online stores, tirechains.com, for about $300. It is true that in recent years I haven't needed them, but when we really get snow it makes a huge difference.

I have also debated getting a grill guard because it is real easy to damage the front of the tractor when using the grapple.

Another gadget that is nice: Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Home>>

And pallet forks are pretty handy if I get to spend someone else's money. ;-)

 

[CobyRupert]

If you're looking for people to tell you how to spend your money you've come to the right place!!

 

[boggen]

1. check all fluids
2. check all bolts/nuts are tight
3. no missing pins
4. double check cable for block heater. it may be laying and not tied up, and end up getting yanked off.
5. double check you get check chains and sway bar/chains for 3pt hitch
6. TNT for 3pt hitch (top and tilt) 1 top link and/or 1 side link or both side link hydrualic cylinders.
7. bucket hooks for FEL. always nice to have and end up using.
8. verify what ever 3pt hitch you get, works with quick attach for 3pt hitch, as in not needing to cut and re-weld the pins on the 3pt hitch.
9. adjust air pressure for tires, good chance max pressure vs lower pressure in tires, lower pressure normally wanted.
10. re-hit everything with a grease gun regardless if dealer said they did or not. (run around it 2 to 5 times, 5 times first few times till you begin to learn and remember were they all are)
11. wait till yard dries up before getting out on it and start making ruts all over the place. spring/wet season with ag tires can be rather brutal on the lawn. summer and dry all should be fine.
12. find out who is taking care of initial oil changes / filter changes that will come up 50hour or like service that the manual denotes. and if it is dealer if they are paying for hauling back and forth or what not.
13. quick attach should be good enough, but if quick attach is not on. see about a bungee strap for 3pt hitch lower lift arms, to keep them from going into rear tires.
14. put a wire around the turn buckles of top link and lower link/s so the turn buckles do not vibrate loose and fall off some place on you.
15. verify left and right brake peddles work and if they need to be adjusted so the pedals depress evenly.

let them unload from trailer. so you do not unload it off the ramp and bang tractor up and the trailer up *doh*

keep it 2WD and get use to it, then if needed pop it into 4WD.

 

[ovrszd]

An engineer!!!!

They are the bane of all technicians, along with technologists. They're the ones that 'design a system' without thinking how a technician/mechanic is going to access the broken part in order to repair/replace it later on. A pox on all their houses!

Wait a minute!!! Is this a new one???? "Pox"? Is that like a "spell"???

 

[sailorman]

Study long and hard on safe operation !! Get some chain for towing and lifting .