Does anybody follow "safe operation" suggestions?

slowzuki · Nov 26, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

Hmm, I think I'm safe but am I?

I've never driven a tractor that the parking brake did anything? Is that normal? My parking brake is usually turning it off in gear or lifting the front end with the loader.

I always return all the hydraulics to a zero energy state when the tractor is turned off or parked for more than a few moments.

I never get near the running PTO

Never worn a seatbeat on a tractor, I'll have to dig around down there and see if there is one. I know 2 of them don't have one.

What does it say about passengers in the cab with you? Some of the bigger JD's I've been in had a second seat on the fender, very nice.

What about using the bucket as a man lift? At least I refuse to ride it up, I always turn off the machine and make sure no one goes near the loader controls. Then I climb up!

ROPS on most of the tractors I use.

A fellow in my Dad's band had an old tractor that you climb over the back to get into/out of. When he used it for logging the winch and pto had to be climbed over to get to the pto controls /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

He finally came to his senses about that and got a newer tractor

Soundguy · Nov 26, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

My JB 'B' is pretty much egressed only from the right rear. the front right has the hand clutch in the way, the left rear has the powertroll lever in the way. The front left is a tight squeeze by the flywheel cover, and the starter switch is on the only flat spot to step or put your hand.

Add to that, no fenders either... the pinacle of safety for JD in the early 50's !! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

OkeeDon · Nov 30, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

 I'm not sure I've seen a brake.. parking or otherwise that will hold up against the tractor final drive... 

I guess that's another "advantage" of hydrostatic drive. First, my parking brake is simply the tractor's brakes locked down at full down pressure, so if the brakes will stop the tractor on a hill or against mild pressure, they'll hold it. Second, I've never mashed the hydro pedal from a stop at full throttle - I always "ease" it to get the tractor moving. I've forgotten many times to release the brake, and when I put it in gear and tickle the hydro pedal, it will not move -- in fact, it comes close to stalling. Of course, I only have 18 HP.

I slap my hand against the side of my head to clear the cobwebs, tap the brake pedal to release the parking brake, and motor on.

snowbound · Dec 1, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

( Who has taken the key out of the tractor everytime they park it?)

Me. I have little children around.

(
I have been known to get off the tractor while the engine is running, with it in neutral and the parking brake on.)

My tractor will turn ifself off if you stand up in the seat let alone get off.

( I will say, if you have disengaged the PTO, lowered all the implements, placed all control levers in their neutral positions, set the parking brake, stopped the engine, and removed the key, and the tractor is still moving. You're on one heck of a hill!
Kevin )

Not all the stuff is to do with the tractor running away. One reason they want you to lower the implements is injury could result if they drop when you don't expect it.

Soundguy · Dec 1, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

I'm not sure that really demonstrates an 'advantage'. It is only showing that the gradual engagement of the hydro has less torque than the gradual engagement of a clutch. The hp I would think would have little to do with it. Like I said earlier.. On new brakes in good condition.. I havn't seen a tractor that couldn't smoke a brake pad.. and I'm not taling about full throttle... either.

Keep in mind.. in the 'olden' days.. tractor op's depending on brakes for sharp steering.. not stopping.. your tractor -had- to be able to drive through your brakes to a certain extent... etc

Soundguy

( I'm not sure I've seen a brake.. parking or otherwise that will hold up against the tractor final drive...

I guess that's another "advantage" of hydrostatic drive. First, my parking brake is simply the tractor's brakes locked down at full down pressure, so if the brakes will stop the tractor on a hill or against mild pressure, they'll hold it. Second, I've never mashed the hydro pedal from a stop at full throttle - I always "ease" it to get the tractor moving. I've forgotten many times to release the brake, and when I put it in gear and tickle the hydro pedal, it will not move -- in fact, it comes close to stalling. Of course, I only have 18 HP.
)

Soundguy · Dec 1, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

( Who has taken the key out of the tractor everytime they park it? )

As a side thought.. those of us with old 'breaker' ignitions know wew need to pull the key.. otherwise if it gets left on.. we burn points...

Soundguy

EagleEye · Dec 6, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

Well, the only way I could get my wife to agree to let me buy my NH TC35 was to tout the safety features vs. my Ford 8N.

Now that I have the tractor, certain ones such as the engine cut out if you don't set the brake and take it out of gear are really nice to have as they force me to be be "safe".... However, I get lazy about using the ROPS because I need to put it up and take it down to get the tractor in the garage. The only time I use it with consistency is when I brush hog.

BTW, I'm also one who leaves the key in the ignition... Anybody touches my tractor and I'll shootem' (just kiddin') /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

keeney · Dec 19, 2003

Re: Does anybody follow \"safe operation\" suggestio

I admit that I make a distinction between "parking" the machine and hopping off for a few seconds, for example to clear an obstruction while mowing.

The big distinction for me is that "parking" = leaving the machine unattended and/or unsupervised. Here, the concern is kids or others messing with it and getting hurt. I always shut it down, make sure its not going to roll (parking brake plus leave HST in gear), lower all the implements and take the key.

For the times I need to dismount the machine briefly, I set the parking brake, lower the implements mostly to the ground as is practical to what I am doing, disengage any PTO equipment (mower, snowblower, etc) and put the machine into neutral, but leave it running at idle.

When connecting PTO's or hydraulics, crawiling under or reaching into any area of the machine or implements that could injur me if they decide to move unexpectedly, I always shut the machine down and "park" it.

I have mixed feelings on the interlock on the transmission being in neutral to start and/or leave the seat. On the one hand, it probably prevents people from being run-over when starting the machine from the ground or getting off a moving machine. Its probably a really good idea with a gear transmission.

With the HST, however, I really get used to using the HST to control both going and not-going. I have had scary moments when the tractor was rolling down a hill out of my control and not responding to the HST. It took me a few seconds before I realized it was in neutral. It didn't even occur to me to press the brake pedals - I only use brakes for turning or parking!

SEATBELTS + ROPS do save lives!

I have learned from stories on those accident sites that nobody ever plans ahead on rolling their tractor over on themselves. It makes no sense to only put your seatbelt on when you "plan" to have a roll-over. Even on flat ground, you could put a wheel into a sink-hole, back into a ditch un-intentionally, snag the rops on a sturdy tree limb, etc.

In the winter, things can slide around on even the slightest of slopes. Say for example while plowing snow, you start sliding on some glare ice off the slight crown of a "level" road. As you slide down towards a steeper part of the shoulder, you panic and spin the wheels some more, causing even more sliding towards the ditch. Pretty soon, its too late to put on your seatbelt.

Also, snow can easily hide the actual terrain. I once saw a snowmobile "disappear" in 6' deep powdered snow that had filled in a road-side ditch. Imagine driving a tractor into that invisible ditch thinking you were on level ground without knowing the actual terrain underneath?

Like I tell passengers in my car when I want them to put on their seatbelts: "Prepare for Impact!"

- Rick