How hard are you on your tractor?

[grizzjeeper]

I was doing some logging yesterday with my l3400 hst and was pretty hard on it, skidding logs I deffinatley pushed it to the max, on several occasions ramming forward to get the twitch moving. On a few occasions something would fetch up and tractor would buck etc. Didnt think much of it cause its a tractor but now I am thinking probably not a good idea and after seeing the thread on the bevel gear damage I am feeling rather sheepish. I am used to farm tractors that you can beat the snot out of and seem to never break....

 

[Dargo]

I carry them on trailers like they are cartons of eggs. I maintain them like they'd explode the moment they passed some scheduled maintenance item. I keep them clean and always touch up the paint on scratched areas to prevent rust. However, I buy my tractors to work. If they won't take being pushed at the very limit of their abilities each and every time I use them, I don't need them. I pay good money for top quality equipment and I expect that equipment to hold up when I need it most. Perhaps this is one of the reasons I dislike most every hand tool and power tool that Harbor Freight sells. I have always been a relatively large and powerful guy and still have some powerlifting records standing from the mid 80's at local gyms and one where I attended college. When I grab hold of a wrench that is attached to a stuck bolt, something is going to move! With cheap tools it is generally the tool shattering.

I view tractors the same way. I could save thousands by buying inexpensive off brand tractors. It's just that I've looked at these sort of tractors and have seen where they save money. I generally do not agree with where they've cut corners to get their costs down. Believe me, I've looked at plenty! Although I want to own quality equipment, bragging rights mean absolutely nothing to me. Just look at my signature. Do I look like a guy who is bragging about what I own?? (and, yes, I do actually own what is listed in my signature...that 8 hp 19" push mower is a beast!!) Based on the forum in which you posted this question, I'd venture to say that as long as you don't abuse, just use to it's maximum potential, your tractor; you'll be fine. Kubota makes a fine tractor and I've seen quite a few survive what I consider abuse for many years without breaking. Just realize that there is a difference between hard use and abuse. It may be a fine line, but there is a difference.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Drive it like you stole it. On most of the equipment we have there is one rule when it is being used WFO. Run the throttle wide *&$# open. If it over heats down shift. We service the equipment as needed because its always cheaper to fix it before it breaks. As for the smaller kubota's we have abused them every way you can & have no issues to complain about. The temp gauge will tell you if you are working it to hard green good yellow back off red take 5 the machine needs to cool down but leave the motor running WFO as it will cool faster & cause less damagae than just shutting it off unless you have mechinicail issues(broken hose, grass on srcreen).

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Dargo and powerstroke, I love you guys! BTW, where are you guys when posters talk about driving their equipment like it was made by Fisher-Price?

 

[Happyman]

I basiclly agree with you guys.
I USE my tractor and implements to their max. I push the horesepower on my L3940 (I could use an L5740 for some of what I use the L3940 for) but I service it on a regular basis. That goes for the implements too. Plenty of grease, keep it clean with a good pressure washing when needed (this makes it much easier to find leaks or locate broken parts), replace or repair parts when they break, and I always give it the once over before climbing on for a day of work. I have been surprised at where the barn mice can make their nest over night!

 

[RobJ]

HArdest thing I do is cut ATV/hunting trails with the RC. If I have to, and I can push it over, that tree is gone after the big CLUNK in the back when the cutter hits it. If I ride up on the tree...it's to big.

BBing can get a little tough sometimes in our hard red clay.

Rob

 

[orangebluegreen]

Suppose everyone's idea of what's hard on a tractor will vary. I kind of got used to an old ford that was built like a tank and a CAT D3 which was so thick a steel I doubt you could hurt the metal parts. I operated those without any consideration of abuse and the limit was not being thrown off, but then my dad paid for them so that changes the entire outlook. Owning a B2410 now makes one think about the expense if something were to break. Couple years ago I was having some email correspondence with Neil Messick about a few machines and he made a comment about the New Holland three point perhaps being a bit beefier than Kubota's, I believed this was just kind of his observation through viewing them and perhaps not through actual breakage experience? But now that I have been occasionally maintaining a 1/4-1/2 mile limerock dirt road (depends on if I only do to my house) and that comment sticks in my mind when I'm pushing it with a box blade in 4WD and High Range. Psychological likely as I've not read about case breakage on the B's with a box blade and I'm only using a 48" heavy duty blade, but I have considered trying a 5-6' box to see if I could pull it and darn if those thoughts don't enter the mind.....guess it depends on if you own it or it's the bosses equipment.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Most of my abuses were in the form of 'WHOOPS, THAT DONT QUITE LOOK RITE!!!!' The planned out abuses rarely test the metal or mettal of machine or user. So far, quick find some wood, JD has been good and not had any instances of abuse related failures. Some of the things have pulled around though are worse for wear.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Best example was using it to the max as diggin 13 deep with a hoe on the front of trencher we steped the machine down 4' & got the line dug the line in. Or over the weekend when we dug line next to a 100yr old tree & had roots bigger than my leg to dig, Thus rent a machine I don't have a dime in & run it till I got it done.

 

[studway]

I pushed my BX 2350 harder than I should just one time and I paid for it. I was using a 7' sickle on a larger tractor which stalled out. Took off the sickle and towed the tractor back to the garage, but how do I get the sickle back? I bet I can put it on the little BX 2350 just to get it back where it belongs. Wrong! Bent one of my 3 point arms while putting it on. It's only bent a little and I've adjusted it so it's level with the other and I use it without problems. But still.

I use the little BX to mow apple orchards. Sometimes the grass is over a foot high and thick as can be. I've put a plastic mulch layer on it. If you know what that is, you know it puts a fair amount of strain on the tractor. I cultivate with it using a Danish tine cultivator. That's a fair amount of strain and the tractor gets completely covered with dirt which I blow off later. I thought about moving a bin full of pumpkins with it, then thought better of it.

As others have pointed out, tractors should be designed to handle daily abuse. Really, it's pretty incredible what can be done even with a little BX.