Do you feel a connection to your tractor?

PineRidge · Oct 14, 2004

Do you actually feel the need to connect to your tractor and other machinery that you own or rent or do you simply use it and consider it yet another tool in your inventory?

All machinery, especially the big stuff has fascinated me since I was a young man as I am curious by nature. I enjoy watching machinery working. I have caught myself sitting at the edge of the road watching a baler and tractor in motion or a dozer rough grading a lot. I am fascinated by the sheer size and strength of a trackhoe digging a foundation, or popping out big stumps like they were minuscule. I also enjoy watching the folks that operate that equipment just as much. That machinery is actually an extension of their arms and legs doing much, much more work that their bodies might ever be capable of doing alone. I have a thirst to figure out why and how machinery works, what makes it tick, sometimes even dissecting it in the process.

Yet I have seen other folks that have no apparent connection to machinery whatsoever and merely use it as a means to get the job done quicker. Guess that's what thy mean when they say, "Different strokes for different folks." So I'm curious, what category do you all fit into?

RobS · Oct 14, 2004

I'm 100% with you Mike. I love watching a construction site. This time of year is a blast as the combines are working the fields day and night. Saw some big tillage being drug through the ground last night. My obsession extends into the living room as we have a nice collection of farm/construction videos that my boys and I enjoy. I also have a collection of die cast equipment, mostly cranes and backhoes. Funny though, some of that interest waned a bit once I got my "real" backhoe.

My wife is tolerant but I'm not sure she really understands /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Golfgar4 · Oct 14, 2004

I LOVE machinery! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Any machinery - big, small, wheeled, tracked, yellow, green, orange, blue (that's for you Mike! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) - well, you get the idea.

I love to look at machinery, I love to watch machinery being used, and I especially love to operate machinery. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I truly believe that I made a gigantic mistake by not continuing in the construction industry when I could have. I'm very glad that I've had the opportunities that I've been given over these past 30 years. But in retrospect, I can also say that I was not as happy doing what I've been doing as I would've been if I could have been connecting with my machinery .

I've had the opportunity to operate a wide range of machinery, including dozers, tractors, rollers, dumptrucks, buses, 5,000 gallon fuel trucks, graders, and others. I cannot remember a case where I didn't absolutely love doing what I was doing. Well, maybe the day the shift lever pulled out of the floor in the full water truck I was driving as I was heading down the biggest hill in our city. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif But that's another story.

Anyway, give me a piece of machinery to operate, and I'm one happy camper! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Varmintmist · Oct 14, 2004

"The only difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys"
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I grew up operating equipment and I like running everything except a paver.

As to a connection with the machine, well mostly I feel a pressure on my butt. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Yeah I know what you mean though. The feeling hits hard when you are doing something and it seems that every move you make does work and feels like the bucket/blade/boom is nothing more than an extension of your hands. I got it most running grader. No lazer levels, all of it was done by MK1IBAL (Mark 1 eyeball, round, quantity 2) and reading the grade.

KennyV · Oct 14, 2004

You are definitely right about a grader… there is something about a motorized blade cutting earth and the soil polishing steel… KennyV.

Mark4510 · Oct 14, 2004

I am with on this one Mike.
Growing up everything I did involved hand tools:shovel, pick, splitting maul, hand saw, hammer, wheel barrow, digging bar, etc.

Everytime I see what I can do with my little tractor I get a real sense of accomplishment because I know almost exactly what it would have taken to do it by hand. Its amazing to watch the big machines get the job done and I sure love my tractor for saving time on every job.

The other thing I like is watching a really skilled operator. Its like an artist at work.

Good post.
Mark

RonR · Oct 14, 2004

I spent years on a tractors working the wheat field grounds. To me, there is no better smell than fresh turned moist earth. #2 for me is the smell of burning diesel from a sweet running tractor. Like a JD 4020 under a good load!

I am one with my FEL when I'm moving dirt. When the hand motions are automatic, I feel in the grove.

My wife can see it in my eyes, but you can't explain it to a city dude.

Oh, they are constructing a water tower a coupla of miles from here; I drive by it 2 times a day. I like to watch their progress as well.

Someday, for grins, I'd like to run a big dozer or big front end loader..........................

Ron

jjcc246 · Oct 14, 2004

I definetly do feel a connection. Many years ago I worked for a contractor that was scab (no unions) so every day I was operating a differant peice of equipment. I would never tell the boss but I probally would have worked for free. There's nothing like taking a big hunk of something and pushing it around until you have a finished product. The power these machines have to just push and pull a mountain until it's flat level ground just amazes me. And the smell of diesel exhaust...... YEAH !!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MossRoad · Oct 14, 2004

I wear my Power Trac like a pair of broken in jeans and a comfortable T-shirt! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I operate it full tilt as often as possible and am completely comfortable on it. It is fun to get a machine to do exactly what you want it to do. A great feeling. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

OrangeGuy · Oct 14, 2004

Every fall after my farm fields are harvested, my renter lets me work up the fields with the attached tractor. For a farm boy who grew up on Allis Chalmers WDs and Cs, I get a great thrill out of operating this big rig.

OrangeGuy

Boondox · Oct 15, 2004

Well, she has a name. That ought to tell one and all how I feel about my Clementine! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

PineRidge · Oct 15, 2004

I didn’t think that I was alone here and you guys are making my point for me. Most guys really do connect to machinery, they love to watch it and they love to operate it.

OrangeGuy that’s a great picture of a big machine at work, I’m green with envy. How many HP is that beast anyway? Does it handle well in the field?

Pete I know where you are coming from as I put a handle on my tractor too. Hey guys have done it forever with boats, so why not tractors as well? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JimR · Oct 15, 2004

Right now with the barn project in full swing the tractor is like my wife. I would be lost without it.

MrJoe · Oct 15, 2004

I can't wait to get home, turn the key, watch that puff of smoke from the exhaust pipe. All day long I use the phone to have subcontractors do the work. Other than collecting a paycheck it dosn't provide much satisfaction. A few hours in the seat and an improvement to what I see from the window makes it worthwhile /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Joe

OrangeGuy · Oct 15, 2004

Pineridge,

The Allis Chalmers 4W-305 tractor has been re-powered with a 350 HP Cummins. It handles the 18' DMI plow at a 12-14" depth without a problem at 6 MPH. I could plow about 6 acres per hour.

It was easy to operate; hydraulics were crisp, steering smooth, cab quiet and comfortable. The field I was working when I took the picture was right next to a Minnesota State highway. Got lots of looks!

OrangeGuy

P.S. On the same day I worked up the edges of one field next to my house with my "big rig" See attached. My Kubota L3430 is pulling a 75 year old International 8' field cultivator.

Moon · Oct 15, 2004

definetly! When I can't be on it I read TBN as often as possible to find other ways to use my baby!

Good pics OrangeGuy!
I wondered how my L3010 would look with turfs. You not only gave me an idea of what it would look like, but you showed me what it would look like with an Awesome Cab too. That is sweet!
Moon of Ohio

Syncro · Oct 15, 2004

Boy, its sure nice to know there are so many others out there with the same feelings towards gears, diesel oil & mechanical things. I like to think machines 'talk' to me. (My wife may not think so though, after the third call to dinner!)
Yup, tractors, trains, & pushing dirt /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Throw in a nice set of polished Snap On wrenches, a good drill press, welder, and maybe a lathe...heaven /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johnday · Oct 15, 2004

Yep, I like big stuff too. And yes, I feel connected, especially when I wear the seat belt. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

bheath · Oct 15, 2004

Usually I don't join or post to forums, but after reading this thread, I had to put in my 2 cents. I've been fascinated with heavy eqpt. and machinery as long as I can recall.
A neighbor of my grandparents had an old A or B model JD and I remember when we would spend summers at their house, he would be down in his lower pastures cutting hay or whatever, that old JD would be poppin' to beat the band. I think that's when I first realized my fascination with tractors. Man, I loved that old beat-up tractor! He would always park it on a hill so he could roll it off to start it. I still love to hear those old 2 cylinders run.
I'd wanted my own for a long time, but had few opportunities to ever operate or own a tractor until recently. We(wife & I) bought a new house with 3 acres of grass to cut and I couldn't decide between a commercial mower or a tractor. In the end, it was really no decision. I was able to get a really good deal on the tractor, a trailer, and several implements from an individual I knew. He ain't real big, but he THINKS he is. (Kubota L1501/18HP/2cyl diesel) I've had him for about 4 mos. now and still get on it just to drive around the place for no reason. My brother has called the house on several occasions only to have the wife tell him I'm 'on the tractor'. He laughs and says, "It's therapy!" He's right, some people pay big bucks for therapy that doesn't do any good. All my 'therapy' costs is a little fuel and whatever time I spend "in the seat". I see I'm not the only one who feels this way........ Thanks for the thread.

frank_f15 · Oct 15, 2004

I don't knwo if u can say i have a connection with my tractor, but i do love working with it, and do love watching stuff work, nothing like a guy operating a big peice of equiptment, guess u can say i am a sick puppy!kind of like watching a great guitar player, get more enjoyment out of wathchin him play as i do from the music! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif