Thanks that was a good article. So I'm out tractor'en today trying to move some dirt piles on a light slope. I first use the bucket to drag the dirt into a pile and then back up and do my best impression of a good full scoop. Sometimes when I lower the bucket to drag back I can lift the front tires off the ground and other times I go into float and of course it barely scratches the ground. Seems like I can't consistantly find the position that lifts the front tires off the ground. Is this probably operator malfunction or prehaps something wrong with my tractor?
Does anyone know of any programs to teach new owners how to use a tractor?
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rScotty
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Hello Cal1,
Getting back to your original question of tractor classes.....could they be useful? I don't know, but what would be the goal? Something that helps a lot learning calculus might miss the point in another subject.
I enjoy some classes myself - and teach a few subjects too - but I'm aware that most of the time, the person who learns it best is the person who learns it on his own because that person is not only learning the subject pretty well, he is learning how to teach himself. Now I can see a reason for classes in anything if some high level of skill right at the start is a requirement. But is that the case with tractoring? Beyond knowing which controls do what, just how many skills are really necessary to start in doing tractor work?
After starting to work the tractor.....well...I could be wrong, but it seems to me that lots of folks own tractors as much for fun as for doing necessary work. For me, half the fun of tractoring is learning to do some new trick or use an implement in some new way. Of course the tractor does some real work for us, but I guess I still view it as a toy.
It's pretty common for people to want to talk about their toys, share their toys,and play with the toys. Maybe that's how we learn best. Like a lot of tractor owners I've ended up owning a few sandy acres to work it on, but I really couldn't say which came first - the toy or the sandbox.
Enjoy, rScotty
rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 9,583
- Location
- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
It wouldn't surprise me if we know some of the same people. I used to spend a lot of time with horses and horse people down around Parker. That was a few years back. Now we live in the mountains west of Boulder. How is Wa?
rScotty
repete
Veteran Member
Greetings CAL1 from West Lewis County. Welcome to the tractor world. I am unaware of any classes in SW Washington to learn to use one.
Do you have a level lot or hills. Level lot you are pretty safe, with hills and a backhoe you can get "over your head" in an instant.
There are two things that I taught my four kids. One was pointed out earlier. You only have brakes on the rear axle. If you are going up or down a grade, be in 4WD.
If you have a ROPS, Always wear your seat belt while becoming familiar with your equipment. Being in the fire service for over 40 years I can assure you that you can decapitate yourself quite effectively when the ROPS lands on your neck.
Speed is not your friend when learning to operate a tractor, especially when the bucket is loaded and raised higher that the tractor center of gravity.
When you find yourself in a particularly scary spot. STOP and THINK before you do another movement. Actions have consequences. At all times be ready to put the bucket on the ground. It not only will stop you but it will also lower the center of gravity immediately.
Remember, the slower you go the longer the job will take and the longer you get to play on the tractor!
Gregg
Do you have a level lot or hills. Level lot you are pretty safe, with hills and a backhoe you can get "over your head" in an instant.
There are two things that I taught my four kids. One was pointed out earlier. You only have brakes on the rear axle. If you are going up or down a grade, be in 4WD.
If you have a ROPS, Always wear your seat belt while becoming familiar with your equipment. Being in the fire service for over 40 years I can assure you that you can decapitate yourself quite effectively when the ROPS lands on your neck.
Speed is not your friend when learning to operate a tractor, especially when the bucket is loaded and raised higher that the tractor center of gravity.
When you find yourself in a particularly scary spot. STOP and THINK before you do another movement. Actions have consequences. At all times be ready to put the bucket on the ground. It not only will stop you but it will also lower the center of gravity immediately.
Remember, the slower you go the longer the job will take and the longer you get to play on the tractor!
Gregg
