Got any soon to be new owner tips?

[frank_f15]

i would check all the fluid levels, and check the nuts and bolts. and then use it, using any thing be it tractor or washing machine, or anything mechanical will soon show its problems if any. one thing u want to do it take it slow. have been using tractors for a number of years(50) and first time i worked with my first hydo i had an oops /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. just get used to the controls and the operation of it and HAVE FUN

 

[Trev]

Russ,

Just some random thoughts for you:

-If this will be your first Hydrostatic, make sure you get lots of practice using it in an area which is wide open. You've probably been driving cars for years, and muscle-memory will have set in; in an emergency situation you may find yourself going for the wrong pedal.

-Always keep in mind that these tractors have enough power to do REAL damage, and that things can happen fast even on a slow-moving tractor. As someone else said, read and re-read the various safety threads.. better to learn from other's experience than your own in some cases.

-Don't be afraid of it, but RESPECT it.

-Before you even take delivery, ask the dealer for the manual, and read it cover to cover many times. Make a note of anything you don't understand, and ask the dealer about those things when he drops off the machine. You will still run into a bunch of things you don't understand after he leaves, of course, but this way you'll be off to a good start.

-Enjoy!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob

 

[B21nut]

Russ,
Congrats on your new tractor. You've gotten some really good advice here. I would add one thing spend some time familiariazing yourself with all its functions. Before each job take some time to really think thru to completion. I occasionally do commercial work and have found alot of "accidents" are due to rushing and not having thought things thru.
John

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">-If this will be your first Hydrostatic, make sure you get lots of practice using it in an area which is wide open. You've probably been driving cars for years, and muscle-memory will have set in; in an emergency situation you may find yourself going for the wrong pedal. </font>

Trev,

You know, this is the exact advice I might give if the tractor was a gear type!

I find that very interesting for some reason. My way of thinking would be that the hydro would be much like driving an auto. Take you foot off the hydro pedal and push the brake.

Now the more that I think of it, I think your advice is good for any new tractor owner regardless of transmission type!

Very good point. I remember now when I first got on the new tractor I stopped and pushed the clutch [on a slope] and started drifting backwards before I got the brake pushed. When since it was a hydro, all I really should have done was let off on the directional pedal and push the brake if I felt like it.

Yep, if one is new to tractors, expecially if you have a loader sticking out in the front and something on the back...it pays to get the feel of the machine somewhere out in the open.

 

[fivestring]

"Save your money! " /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

C'mon, Bill..... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It's "Spend your money!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That's the fun part of tractorin'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[GreenMtnMan]

Here's one that I don't think anyone has mentioned. Get a good torque wrench and check your lug bolts regularly. Deere advises to check them on delivery, after one hour, and then after every four hours for awhile. There have been lots of reports here of loose lug bolts causing damage.

 

[normde2001]

I keep reading horror stories about guys ruining wheels from running with loose lugnuts/bolts. I keep a good coat of paint on my lugbolts and believe I can tell at a glance from 5-6' away if they are loose, (broken paint, rust trail, etc.). Also, get a whiskbroom and keep it handy and check/clean your radiator frequently when bushhogging in big stuff, cause it will fill up and overheat in a big hurry.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

When your good intentioned neighbors show up to borrow your new toy, do yourself a BIG favor and DO NOT LEND IT TO ANYONE. Blame it on your liability insurance, or as a condition of the loan (if you are financing it), or come up with a creative excuse.

Tractors are very expensive, which is why your neighbors show up to borrow yours. They also have even less experience in the seat that you do so if you want to keep your tractor in good condition, keep it on your property with your butt in the seat.

But I only scratched it a little . . .
I thought it could do that so . . .
I didn't know tractors got stuck . . .
If it fits in the bucket the thing should be able to lift it . . .
Well the stump fit under the tractor so I thought the mower would . . .
That dent was there when I brought it . . .
No, I don't have diesel, this thing takes diesel . . . ?
And it just started leaking from there . . . but it seemed ok so I kept . . .

 

[stvman]

you forgot, I thought that was the break!

 

[stvman]

and Look what your backhoe did to my vinyl siding!