sunandsand
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2020
- Messages
- 247
- Tractor
- Kubota B2601
The comments tell me that there is a need for proper training to use tractors and attachments.
It appears that many of us have learned by doing, by asking around, and on YouTube (which is hardly an authoritative source).
This may be why there are tractor accidents - often you don't realize you've done something wrong until it is too late. "Common sense" helps, but is no guarantee for ALL situations.
Point of fact, tractor accidents happen, they are not that rare, people get hurt or killed. Often they are kids who aren't adult enough to have developed "common sense", and some adults never develop it either.
ROPS and PTO guards help, but if the primary resource for tractor safety is an internet support group (this one), that tells me something is wrong.
I am not advocating licenses and permits, we have enough of that already. What I am advocating is something like a book "Safe Tractor Operation for Dummies", and this book should go with each and every sale of a tractor ESPECIALLY to people like me, who suddenly found out that I needed a tractor and knew zilch about them. Ask me about my specialties, airplanes, electronics, wristwatches, and I can give you a coherent answer. Two years ago I knew nothing at all about tractors other than yes, I knew there was such a thing - but that's it.
I *think* I've learned some of the basics - don't try to use the FEL as a bulldozer, go slow, go in with 2WD so if you get stuck you can go to 4WD and (probably) get unstuck, carry loads in the bucket LOW and keep the bucket as low as possible all the time, keep the mower blades sharp, lubricate everything you can find (even if it isn't in the manual), don't pull from above the rear axle, crank up the revs, NO RIDERS, EVER, let it cool down before refueling and RTFM (read the flippin' manual)!!!!. There's much, much more.
The problem with "learn by doing" is simply this - sometimes you may get a lesson which is harmful or fatal, and if you are dead, that lesson won't do you any good at all.
This is why there are books. Personally, I like learning from the mistakes of others, it is much less painful for me, it is free, and discouragingly, there seems to be SO much teaching material available.
Lets write it down - even the pros can learn something from it. I always remember that the larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of ignorance.
Best Regards,
Mike/Florida
It appears that many of us have learned by doing, by asking around, and on YouTube (which is hardly an authoritative source).
This may be why there are tractor accidents - often you don't realize you've done something wrong until it is too late. "Common sense" helps, but is no guarantee for ALL situations.
Point of fact, tractor accidents happen, they are not that rare, people get hurt or killed. Often they are kids who aren't adult enough to have developed "common sense", and some adults never develop it either.
ROPS and PTO guards help, but if the primary resource for tractor safety is an internet support group (this one), that tells me something is wrong.
I am not advocating licenses and permits, we have enough of that already. What I am advocating is something like a book "Safe Tractor Operation for Dummies", and this book should go with each and every sale of a tractor ESPECIALLY to people like me, who suddenly found out that I needed a tractor and knew zilch about them. Ask me about my specialties, airplanes, electronics, wristwatches, and I can give you a coherent answer. Two years ago I knew nothing at all about tractors other than yes, I knew there was such a thing - but that's it.
I *think* I've learned some of the basics - don't try to use the FEL as a bulldozer, go slow, go in with 2WD so if you get stuck you can go to 4WD and (probably) get unstuck, carry loads in the bucket LOW and keep the bucket as low as possible all the time, keep the mower blades sharp, lubricate everything you can find (even if it isn't in the manual), don't pull from above the rear axle, crank up the revs, NO RIDERS, EVER, let it cool down before refueling and RTFM (read the flippin' manual)!!!!. There's much, much more.
The problem with "learn by doing" is simply this - sometimes you may get a lesson which is harmful or fatal, and if you are dead, that lesson won't do you any good at all.
This is why there are books. Personally, I like learning from the mistakes of others, it is much less painful for me, it is free, and discouragingly, there seems to be SO much teaching material available.
Lets write it down - even the pros can learn something from it. I always remember that the larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of ignorance.
Best Regards,
Mike/Florida
