New Driver Tips

[JoeinTX]

"Remember you are using a tool that can kill and treat it accordingly...."

I'll simply reinforce what Toad said.

Never, for a second, forget you are operating something that can kill you in a heartbeat if you allow it to. Equipment does not randomly and independently of their own will rollover on or run over people. The PTO doesn't just jump out and get you. Don't put yourself in a position to allow it to happen to you and you dramatically reduce the opportunity for it to happen.

A little healthy respect and fear of the tractor, regardless of how much you like them and love to be around them, is the best thing to have so that you can still be enjoying them years from now in your old age and retirement.

 

[fordnh3930]

"Remember you are using a tool that can kill and treat it accordingly...."

I'll simply reinforce what Toad said.

Never, for a second, forget you are operating something that can kill you in a heartbeat if you allow it to. Equipment does not randomly and independently of their own will rollover on or run over people. The PTO doesn't just jump out and get you. Don't put yourself in a position to allow it to happen to you and you dramatically reduce the opportunity for it to happen.

A little healthy respect and fear of the tractor, regardless of how much you like them and love to be around them, is the best thing to have so that you can still be enjoying them years from now in your old age and retirement.

thats what my dad said.......he said everyone who he knows who has gottwn killed on a machine was doing somethin dumb like talkin on those stupid cellphones, not paying attechtion, eating, talking to someone, or just not respecting that it is as lethal as an electric chair or a king cobra.

 

[Bob_Young]

1) Always be aware of the 'swing' when you make turns near a building/tree/vehicle/other obstruction. If you're moving forward and turn away from an obstacle at your side, be aware than anything hanging on the back of the tractor is going to swing toward it. Likewise, if you're backing up and turn away, the front end loader will swing toward it. Always visually check for clearance of whatever's trailing when turning near obstacles. Leaving scrapes and scars on everything is unprofessional.
2) Go slow in high grass when you can't see obstacles. Always assume there's stumps, logs, old machinery, chuck holes, or whatever hidden in the grass. Go slow enough so you can stop before serious damage is done should you hit something.
3) Go very slow if you feel there's any danger of tipping. Sometimes there is and sometimes you'll just feel uncomfortable. Until you know which it is, go slow enough to detect any sign of an impending roll and have a retreat plan in mind. If the discomfort level rises, don't hesitate to retreat. Remember, there can be hidden chuck holes in high grass on a side hill. Woodchucks like to dig 'em there. Drop the downhill wheel in one that you don't see and the situation will suddenly be very serious.
4) Be ready to turn downhill if you feel the tractor starting to roll or get light on the uphill side. If you can't turn downhill in response to an impending roll (maybe there's a cliff there), then stay off that slope. The downhill turn is a valid retreat tactic and has saved me a couple of times.
5) Stay away from banks that might crumble under the weight of the tractor. If you're skirting a gravel pit or following a steep river bank and want to look at something down there, park the tractor a good distance from the edge, walk over and take a look. Don't drive close to the edge so you can see.
6) Keep working on your communication skills so you can help someone else with what you've learned someday.
FWIW
Bob

P.S. Be gentle with the equipment until you finish up the last of the work. If something is going to break, it's much better to have it break after the work is done...

 

[TripleR]

I just came across this and can't really add a lot to the excellent advice already given on safe and effective operating; just a few observations:

1. No matter how careful you are or how hard you try, you are going to screw up, so don't beat yourself up too bad and learn from it.
2. When in doubt; don't.
3. Anytime you shut your equipment down, do a quick "walk around" and if you are operating older stuff, do a "slow" walk around checking stuff.
4. When working in tight areas, think about shutting down, get off and check your clearances, proximity to obstacles or overhangs as things look a little different on the ground than from the seat.
5. Let someone know where you are going to be, what you are doing and when you expect to be back.

Also, while you may not care for cell phones, I never work without one as they can be a really valuable safety tool.

Embrace technology as "simple" tractors are a disappearing thing as money makers, go crawl up into a modern Ag tractor or combine and look around to get an idea what I am talking about.

I will reiterate an earlier poster, work on your education including communications skills as they will help you in almost any profession including farming as they are businessmen who must deal with a lot of people to succeed.

You mentioned something about being a loner or something to that affect to which I think the following applies well: "The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready." - Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

 

[fordnh3930]

ha I like that motto

 

[RoyJackson]

Also is there any easy way to shift while moving in a tractor without a synchronized transmission?

These transmissions are not like in a car or truck in which you shift up or down through the gears.
You start off in the gear you need...might be 1st gear low for pulling, might be 4th high for road transport. That also might mean you stop and shift to a lower gear before descending a hill (especially if you're towing a load). (I'm using 1st low through 4th high as an example since my 790 has 4 forward, 2 reverse and high/low ranges).
What you do not want to do is try to downshift when moving (again, especially towing a load) going downhill. You may well end up going for a very scary, very dangerous, out of control ride.
Double clutching may work...I've done that on some older (early 50's) pick ups that had non-synchro transmissions...but don't try it until you are extremely adept at double clutching on level gound. And do not try to double clutch down on a hill...period!.
BTW, my 790 has a non-synchro transmission. I can downshift from 2nd to 1st low at a low speed (like, half a mile per hour), but that's about the limit.

 

[fordnh3930]

thanks for all the advice!

 

[AndamuleFarm]

thanks for all the advice!

I hope you don't mind a little more! I have been lurking on this site but I registered so I could make this post. First, heed Roy Jackson's advice about gears. Never try to shift going downhill! You can easily end up in neutral and it has already been pointed out that that is very dangerous. Second, if you have separate brake pedals that lock together, be sure they are locked when you are on the road. Quick unplanned turns, especially in traffic, are bad!

And last, do not make this equation: love of things rural (like driving a tractor)=uneducated, but playing with things like cell phones=educated. Like me, I am sure lots of us here have college degrees, and that doesn't keep us from enjoying our lifestyle at all. Get a good education, you'll be glad you did. And best of luck - you have already achieved something, maybe unintentionally, by starting this thread. Shows you are aware, and that's a great thing.

 

[Scotty370]

God, fordnh, ya sound like me 50 years ago! Welcolme aboard! Great comments above! I'd add "Distraction"!! Avoid it at all cost, when operating any machine. Stay focused!! ~S

 

[Runner]

STOP!

That is something I've learned about operating tractors. If I'm in a situation that looks like it could get the least bit dicey, like operating on a hill, tricky maneuvering in tight quarters, low-clearance situations, etc., I have learned to stop the machine and have a careful look around. Think about what could go wrong. Then, I take a second to think about what the next step should be before continuing on my way.

For instance: I'm trying to carry something large with my boom pole that requires it to be raised high in the air. At the same time, I'm watching the bottom of the object to keep it from hitting the ground or something else. I'm getting ready to go through my shop door.

I stop. Have a look around at anything I'm likely to hit. Then slowly start again. Repeat as necessary.

This has saved my rear a number of times already.

I guess to sum it up, even though it sounds obvious, it doesn't pay to hurry things.