Lowering attachments to the ground

[RoyJackson]

I always lower all attachments to the ground.

Same here...

 

[k0ua]

...and if you lower the FEL to the ground, the spike is no longer at head height, but, even if your reproductive years are over, you still don't want to accidentally encounter the spike. The few times I've parked my tractor with the bale spear mounted, I've rolled the FEL so the spear points down to the ground.

That would seem like a prudent course for all concerned.

 

[lakeside]

Ditto

It seems to me there's a better chance of injury if a piece of equipment is left up in the air (you could also use the term energized). If a child or nosy adult pokes around a tractor with a raised implement they could move a lever and drop the implement which could hurt of kill someone. They can't raise an implement if the engine is off. A raised implement means there's pressure in the lines which, if one fails, could suddenly drop the implement which could cause impact damage.

I routinely see dump truck with the box raised. I wonder if that's done to keep pressure on the piston seals or just to make sure water doesn't pool in the bed of the box.

 

[zmountaineer]

I've asked my father in law why he keeps his FEL raised as well as the hay bale on his rear spear. His answer to me is that he leaves it that way in case he has to roll start it. I've seen it. He has to roll start certain tractors. He probably has 7 large tractors of significant age (think David Brown). His ford 7610 that he uses every day he still leaves it up just in case, I have yet to see him roll start it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I always lower my FEL to the ground when I stop or park the tractor. It is easier to do than bending way down and pulling the brake lever. This keeps the tractor stabilized in place.
I do sometimes leave my tiller raised off the ground for no particular reason other than maybe I wont have to remember to raise it next time I move the tractor. There are no kids around and no adults that monkey with my tractors so I am not worried about accidents. Bush hog and disk always get on the ground.