Mowing advice to fellow newbies: watch rear mount cabin lights when backing

[Granite Tractor]

A few hours into mowing with my new 3030, I'm thrilled with how easy it is to drive and maneuver. Backing the rear cutter under trees gives a very nice finished look to our property, and although I didn't think I needed a hydrostatic transmission, within a few minutes of mowing, I can't imagine mowing without one.

I've been careful to keep an eye on the windows and cab as I've been backing up towards trees, but I was surprised by how much damage my rear light mounts sustained while doing this. The formerly "C" shaped brackets holding the rear lights are much more creatively shaped than they used to be.

I suspect this is by design; I'd much rather bend the mounting brackets than break the lights, snap of the mount, or break the mounting location on the cab.

Lights still work fine and I'm able to aim them where I need them.

But I will be more careful about how far I back into branches next time. I also see some tree trimming in my future

 

[PSDStu]

I hear you about the rear lights, you have to be careful around the trees!

I was curious what you thought about the cab noise in your tractor, the HST whine is very loud in my tractor and wondered if yours was the same?

Overall a great tractor, but the HST whine noise is much louder then I had expected.

Stu

 

[broncorm]

I have a new 3030 no cab and mine whine loud, well I think its loud.

 

[TripleR]

We have replaced the cab lights on our Case several times. I have never broken any, but my sons have, so when I get on there is nothing left to break.

My wife broke the hazard flashers on our John Deere 2305 last week; gonna need to figure out some shields before I manage to break one off too.

 

[Ductape]

The fronts are vulnerable also........ nature of the beast. I've always intended to make some guards to protect the lights...... but never got around to it. Maybe some day..............

 

[TripleR]

The fronts are vulnerable also........ nature of the beast. I've always intended to make some guards to protect the lights...... but never got around to it. Maybe some day..............

Same here, problem is finding something solid for the mounts, not many hard points on these things.

 

[Granite Tractor]

I was curious what you thought about the cab noise in your tractor, the HST whine is very loud in my tractor and wondered if yours was the same?

Overall a great tractor, but the HST whine noise is much louder then I had expected.

Stu

The HST noise is definitely noticeable, but so far I've only used the tractor with a rear brush cutter that is plenty loud on its own, so I hadn't thought much of it.

 

[Earl Ohl]

The HST noise is definitely noticeable, but so far I've only used the tractor with a rear brush cutter that is plenty loud on its own, so I hadn't thought much of it.

When I bought mine, the dealer told me the noise would diminish some over time. After I did the 50 hour service it was much quieter. I have about 280 hours on it now & it's still a little louder than I'd like at times.

 

[Granite Tractor]

The fronts are vulnerable also........ nature of the beast. I've always intended to make some guards to protect the lights...... but never got around to it. Maybe some day..............

Would be curious to hear from anyone who has tried guards; my fear would be that the guard would protect the light but transmit the force of whatever you bump into to something far more expensive to replace....

 

[Slade]

I thought those orange lights were supposed to get knocked off all the time. Mine do, and I'm still looking for one out in the pasture.