IF You are a Tractor Operator in your ROOKIE Season.

[AxleHub]

I've had my tractor for about 6 years now and have used it for a multitude of tasks from tilling to log skidding. I still consider myself a rookie too. My philosophy is the same I have when driving a car. Every time I get behind the wheel I'm scared to death! Not saying I'm not confident, just that I go out there with the idea that other people are trying to kill me.

Recognize danger and do your best to avoid it. It's like when the light turns green and you teach yourself to wait a few seconds before going in the intersection...how many times does another driver sail through trying to beat the light?

Most of the dangers of operating a tractor are quite obvious. Just have to teach yourself to avoid them and listen to that little voice that says something isn't right here. Also a basic understanding of physics is key...something my wife doesn't possess LOL

Stihlrunner,

Judging by your handle I'm guessing you are also no stranger to "widow maker" trees and kickback blades

I have to say that I thought years of using skidsteers on projects would be very applicable to tractors.

But I have a new appreciation for a couple old farmers I knew who had a very very large dairy and cropping farm they operated in hilly territory. At the time i first met them they had 35 adult years of experience each and only 1 short finger between the two of them . . all other parts were stock from birth. And their final decade or so after I met them they still kept all their parts. They'd tackle darn near anything and come away safe.

Both of them also did most of the equipment maintaining themselves and the once told me "ya know, I do most of the sandblasting and repainting on all those units after a full day of work . . I work on keeping the shiny sides up so they stay shiny" lol

 

[biodegraded]

I do nearly all maintenance on my various gadgets and vehicles, and so far the biggest thing I've learned is that tractors are a whole 'nuther class of beast. Everything is heavier and there's just "more" of it. Like my 50 hr involving 15 *gallons* of lubricants. lol



One important point that I discovered early on is that the FEL is far more delicate than it appears. It's hellya strong in the plane of the hydraulics, but be very careful with side torques. It is in no way like a skidsteer in that respect. I would be hesitant to let others to operate it (which has not arisen yet).

My modest piece of land is 10 acres. Six of them are mostly flat, with a creek running through, the rest are on a wooded hill. I have not taken the tractor off existing roads on the hill yet because I've had so much pasture work to do first. But I do get tilted at times. At first the bung would pucker at the slightest tilt. I had no intuition for where the CG was, and I am soooo high up in that thing. I've just taken it real slow at such times and have gradually built up experience to where I noticed the other day that places where I used to be extra careful are now recognized, but without pucker.

I thoroughly expect to go through that **** strengthening process again when I start working on the hill, which needs a lot of tree thinning and invasives removed. I'll just be r.e.a.l slow and careful, pay minute attention to slope gradient, keep the CG low and broad with the bucket/grapple and 1200 lb box blade (TnT helps cuz it's easy to adjust on the fly), and pay close attention to that little voice.

 

[AxleHub]

I thoroughly expect to go through that **** strengthening process again when I start working on the hill, which needs a lot of tree thinning and invasives removed. I'll just be r.e.a.l slow and careful, pay minute attention to slope gradient, keep the CG low and broad with the bucket/grapple and 1200 lb box blade (TnT helps cuz it's easy to adjust on the fly), and pay close attention to that little voice.

Hopefully you'll be working the woods/logs downhill and not uphill

 

[biodegraded]

All downhill, thankfully, as seen in the pic. Some of the hill property is behind the house, most is up, left, and you can see how steep. Yes, the A-frame is asymmetrical. The guy who built it was an engineer who worked out orientation, south roof pitch, window angles (they slope in bays) and eave dimensions to maximize winter solar capture. I love my quirky little place.

 

[paulfun9]

Greetings Paul,

Its like you're some how clairvoyant and don't need to inquire about a user's method or conditions of operation. Its like you already have all the answers . . . and isn't that the biggest rookie mistake of all ?

Thanks for listening.

No actually the biggest rookie mistake would be to not take the time to question or completely understand the advice given from a 50 year veteran who has made every mistake at least once and knows how to survive the mistake without injury to man or machine! If you think I am assuming something an other rookie mistake would be to not question why or point out what you think is being assumed!

Do the math 275bs is moving the tractor with the loader having weight on it, on the "slightest side hill" and you think turning to the widest setting will eliminate the problem? What happens when the grade increases even if widening was to buy just enough tire bite due to the slope not tires actually firmly planted on the ground. Yes spacers will add weight but on a small SCUT the spacers will not be enough weight again when the slope increases. Years of experience has proven that and the math is against you from the start. So please go ahead and consider me dangerous because I have only been doing this for a little over 50 years now and still have all my limbs intact and have not damaged a machine in a little over 40 years!
As for my comment on your friend I will stick to it! I would rather operate a tractor with proper ballast and no seat belt than one without proper ballast and my seat belt on any day of the week! Also I would assume your friend has a better understanding of what is going on simply with the fact he is a 20 year experienced operator to someone who is now in their rookie year of operation. There is a big difference between one year and 20.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have been running tractors for 50 years and I have not seen it all and I hope to keep learning. I don't think anyone has seen it all or learned it all. No disrespect Paul, that is just what I think. Hope you know as much as you think you do. Ed

 

[Pixguy]

I've been operating my scut for 4 years and 270 hours now and still take my time.

I also was asked to operate a Kubota U55 excavator this week out on snowmobile trails plucking rocks and stumps for the first time. It's took a few hours to get comfortable with all the joysticks with front blade and hydro thumb going up steep grades but I'm sure to wear the seatbelt and hard hat. The guy telling me about the machine said to wear the seatbelt or hit you'll your head on the windshield when the bucket breaks loose off a stump.

So, go slow, wear the appropriate safety gear and be safe.

 

[bighammer]

When releasing a resting bucket or other quick attach accessory, do not leave loader valve in float position. (or at least make sure your toes are out of the way of dropping loader arms)

 

[AxleHub]

When releasing a resting bucket or other quick attach accessory, do not leave loader valve in float position. (or at least make sure your toes are out of the way of dropping loader arms)

Good thought bighammer. I remember well a demonstration I saw once regarding steel toed boots. The demonstrator was showing how steel toes protect for minor weight drops but under major weight drops they act like a dull knife instead.

 

[AxleHub]

I have been running tractors for 50 years and I have not seen it all and I hope to keep learning. I don't think anyone has seen it all or learned it all. No disrespect Paul, that is just what I think. Hope you know as much as you think you do. Ed

Thats also my thought Ed. I think being open minded to learning and humble to wisdom is the measurement of people whether they are 20 or 75. My highest level of respect goes to people who can adapt their past methods and learning/training and apply/alter it to new learning and methods.

An interesting example I had was when I was building a rather unique home and office. While I'd listen to subs like plumber and electrician suggestions and input . . I'd deliberately go and ask for input from the plumber's helpers and electrician helpers. No one ever asks them and they were very surprised and incredibly helpful in viewpoints on my ideas or even added considerations.

In addition the electrician I hired was old in age and slow in speed . . yet a strikingly fast learner of implementing new ideas and far far more adaptable to my unique technics than any younger candidates I'd considered. After 40 years of skilled work and business ownership . . he'd walk in each day and ask what he'd be learning new that day. Then he'd also bring in product or ideas or new learning he'd read up on overnight or over the weekend (or tested). And . . any of those efforts weren't about money or pay.

What is my point in these two examples? 1 shows open minded but less experienced can be superior in wisdom or clever insight while the other example shows very experienced can adapt to new ideas better than those raised around the new ideas. Its the people . . not the years . . that makes the difference.

So the lesson is . . "age" or years of "experience" are not the measuring sticks . . its the willingness to implement new learning in quality efforts instead of close minded and safe "certainty".

Ed, thanks for showing an open mind