Does anyone know of any programs to teach new owners how to use a tractor?

[cal1]

I'm new to tractor ownership and loving every new thing I learn. The only challenge is getting someone to show me what and how to do things. These babies are capable of doing sooo much but if you don't know how... The local "grew up on tractors" make things look so easy and they just seem to know what to do to make a burm, dig a trench or clear away land. I was blown away when I found a youtube clip using a box blade to create a dig. He just tilted one side and drug it in both directions to create a ditch. Amazing and after seeing it very logical and common sense. The problem is that there seems to be nothing to educate a new tractor owner.

I can buy a sports car and take classes to learn how to drive fast and safe. I can buy a gun and take classes to learn how to hit something. But when I buy a $17k machine, I pretty much get told "you'll pick it up the more you use it". My local dealer says he sells about 23-30 BX's a year and 90% of them are newbies like me. I wonder how many people would take a class on tractor use. One that explained how the basic techniques like dragging the bucket to smooth or clear brush. I'm talking a half day or full day class for say $100. One that you'd get a chance to really do something and come away proficent at some basics. This is not something a dealer can teach in a 30 minute new owner orientation.

I've spent 25 years as a senior trainer, developing training for the military, and corporate worlds. I've taught everything from digital electronics and optics, to stockbroker license classes (Series 7, 6 etc.). I'm thinking there is a need but I'm not sure if someone is currently servicing our community. Geeze 10 people at $100 a head with their own tractor ... that's $1000 to let them scrape and dig some dirt. Seems like pretty easy $.

This is a quick informal needs analysis to see if there really might be someting or am I just too slow/impatient.

 

[dodge man]

I've never heard of anything like tractor driving school. Looking at some of your old posts, it looks like you have a BX. I also have a BX. They are a pretty small tractor, there for you are less likely to do any major damage with one. Saftey is the biggest issue. I've had a few situations where the tractor got a little tippy, but I was being carefull at the time.

The only really bad situation I got myself into was having the FEL full of dirt and the tractor was in two wheel drive. I started down a hill and the tractor took off on me. Only the back wheels have the brakes function in two wheel drive, and with a FEL full of dirt, the back end was pretty light. I slid through some trees for about 50 feet and by pure luck, didn't hit anything.

In summary, don't worry about the skill level you have, it will come to you with time. Worry about the saftey issues. Just being a member here shows you are more than likely to be carefull and that you are looking for knowledge. There are some old posts that can be found where people discuss all the dumb things you can do on a tractor. Try the search function and see what you can find.

 

[kuboman]

I'm new to tractor ownership and loving every new thing I learn. The only challenge is getting someone to show me what and how to do things. These babies are capable of doing sooo much but if you don't know how... The local "grew up on tractors" make things look so easy and they just seem to know what to do to make a burm, dig a trench or clear away land. I was blown away when I found a youtube clip using a box blade to create a dig. He just tilted one side and drug it in both directions to create a ditch. Amazing and after seeing it very logical and common sense. The problem is that there seems to be nothing to educate a new tractor owner.

I can buy a sports car and take classes to learn how to drive fast and safe. I can buy a gun and take classes to learn how to hit something. But when I buy a $17k machine, I pretty much get told "you'll pick it up the more you use it". My local dealer says he sells about 23-30 BX's a year and 90% of them are newbies like me. I wonder how many people would take a class on tractor use. One that explained how the basic techniques like dragging the bucket to smooth or clear brush. I'm talking a half day or full day class for say $100. One that you'd get a chance to really do something and come away proficent at some basics. This is not something a dealer can teach in a 30 minute new owner orientation.

I've spent 25 years as a senior trainer, developing training for the military, and corporate worlds. I've taught everything from digital electronics and optics, to stockbroker license classes (Series 7, 6 etc.). I'm thinking there is a need but I'm not sure if someone is currently servicing our community. Geeze 10 people at $100 a head with their own tractor ... that's $1000 to let them scrape and dig some dirt. Seems like pretty easy $.

This is a quick informal needs analysis to see if there really might be someting or am I just too slow/impatient.

Can't help you other than to ask a neighbor to show you how. And just experiment (safely)

 

[radioman]

your profile doesnt say you are located. Perhaps there is another BX owner nearyby that would give you pointers?

 

[bp fick]

Everything Attachments has videos of almost every attachment they make/sell. Besides showing how to use the specific attachment, Ted does a great job of showing you what kind of job they do.

I would spend a whole bunch of evenings watching Ted explain things. I've been around tractors all my life and I still enjoy the finer points of things that are taught on those videos.

 

[RaydaKub]

The only really bad situation I got myself into was having the FEL full of dirt and the tractor was in two wheel drive. I started down a hill and the tractor took off on me. Only the back wheels have the brakes function in two wheel drive, and with a FEL full of dirt, the back end was pretty light. I slid through some trees for about 50 feet and by pure luck, didn't hit anything.

I just did this exact thing except it was a big rock in the bucket. Took me a second and about 20 feet of freefall to realize the fix is to slam the bucket to the ground. But it was really scarey!

 

[cal1]

Thanks for the responses. I'm in WA and my some of neighbors are both very knowledgeable and willing. Unfortuantely I probably need more information than the average joe, to really understand what and why we are doing things the way they did. (Read I don't want to keep bugging them for help!) It's not a pride thing, just there is so much to learn. And half of it I don't even know enough to form a question. I have seen some of the videos but a hands on experience is more what I need.

I'm actually trying to gauge interest incase I decide to develop a class. So my question is "Would you other newbies be interested in a class?".

I've contacted my local county ag group (Clark County WA) and they are interested. I've found nothing at the college level. I've seen schools to learn to drive commerical trucks, how about commerical backhoes? Everyone seems to say you just pick it up!

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Hi cal1,

I'm in pretty much the same boat as you. And same state. I've been gradually learning how to pilot the BX24. There is a lot to be said for "learn by doing" but the videos like the one you mentioned and pointers from the experienced folks here are a real help.

It _would_ be nice if some of the not-maybe-so-obvious safety tips (4wd when the loader is full & on a slope, for instance) were all taught or spelled out somewhere.

Something else that would be a real benefit to us BX owners - and should have been done by the dealer - is to point out that they have a very vulnerable underbelly. Something like the Bro-tek plates are a near necessity. There are probably similar tips that might save us both some pain in the future.

Good luck, and have (safe) fun with that machine.

Z.

 

[RobKinNH]

I've seen schools to learn to drive commerical trucks, how about commerical backhoes?

I know here in NH there is a school for commercial construction equipment, Skid steers up to excavators and even cranes. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools Blog Archive Heavy Equipment Opportunities In New Hampshire

 

[tshep]

I can offer...

It's not a fine work machine. At a certain point, it's much faster to just get off and fill the blade bucket with a shovel than to damage your rough grade trying to get that last 'spillover' or 'pushaway' that you think you can scoop up with the bucket.

Always be thinking of how to work with a bucket or blade that is only ever level to the whole machine - and never to the work you want to do.
For instance, I needed to make a drainage ditch for my aunt - I wanted a light angle to both sides of the ditch. I set the BH bucket tooth straight vertical (it hangs up less that way) and drug it down the hill twice in the same line. Then I set my wheels in the rut I had made and cut the corner off the rut - with my now angled blade bucket. Set the other side's wheels in the rut and cut the other side, rut disappeared into a nicely angled sloped shallow ditch. (Learned that trick here!) Much faster than cross cutting both sides and jiggling the blade depth and getting 'steps' instead of a sloped ditch.

Never go to neutral on a down slope!

Good luck