Newbie seeks Wisdom and Basic ground rules

Dave5264 · May 28, 2009

Hi Folks, per a few other posts on the Fourm, Im new here and new to Tractors (1 month). I just bought a Montana c5264 (4wd) witha FEL and a 5' Rotary Cutter. Schullte shift F & R needs clutch, PTO has Independant & Wheel speed selctions, Engine/Drive Train is Fiat with 3cyl Diesel, Tractor is made by for Montana by UTB (Uzina Tractorul Brasov, Romanian for Brasov Tractor Plant), pretty basic 60's technology

I know very little of the Do's and Donts of Tractor operation & ownership, so I thought this would be a good place to solicit the collective wisdom of many.

for example : "Dont Ride or rest your foot on the clutch pedal " rule for the Dry clutch Tractor.

"Lots of good used implements, but dont buy a used PHD"

what are your words of advice, wisdom?, what do you wish someone had told you when you first got into this ?

thanks in advance !

RobertN · May 28, 2009

Get more HP than you think you'll need. My tractor is great, but could use at least another 5-7hp...

Coolnorth · May 28, 2009

Hi Dave,

Learn all about how your equipment works, know all the grease points, where to check oil levels in the engine, trans, diff, etc. Learn about tire pressures and what works best for the jobs you do in the soil you work in. Much like an aircraft pilot, you should know how your machine reacts to weight/load (pilots do a weight and balance pre-flight of their cargo and passengers). be careful when working on hills, keep yourself going straight up and down the hill when applicable.

Most of all, just get used to the machine by operating it ALOT!!

Start with little projects so you get the feel of each implement you have, but always start by doing a walk-about of the work area, checking for potential hazards. For example, if you're going to skid a tree out of the forest, watch for dead trees that you may pass close by as your load might catch one and pull it down on top of you. Make sure no people are nearby your mower when you use it. Things like that.

OK, that's alot of things but you will enjoy your machine as you get to know it.

Graham

Soundguy · May 28, 2009

RobertN said:
Get more HP than you think you'll need. My tractor is great, but could use at least another 5-7hp...

Can't ditto this one enough.. when you buy too small.. you take a financial hit when trading up..

soundguy

Dave5264 · May 28, 2009

Soundguy said:
Can't ditto this one enough.. when you buy too small.. you take a financial hit when trading up..

soundguy

Thanks, re HP , I have done this as best i could given my budget. part of the reason going with the C series Montana vs the other Montana Line was i could get more HP for my $. So i Feel good about that.

Good reminders on basic Safety and how the machine reacts in different scenarios

Good maintenence and fluid checks etc., I agree, ill keep a good watch on all that, learn what i can about pressures etc.

thanks guys

Cat_Driver · May 28, 2009

Know also that you will learn something new every day. I just learned yesterday that if your working in a dusty are you might want to blow your filters out twice a day, and check fluids and grease after every 8 hours of use. That coming from the service guy that works on my tractor and see the result of people not listening to him . He told me a guy with a bran new Cat D7 let his guys run it without that advice and was working the tractor on an incline without enough oil in the pan and burned up the engine.

The guy is crying warranty so we'll see, buy checking fluids and grease are a must.

This is coming from a guy who wasn't as conscientious as I should have been, but now that got my attention.

jimmyj · May 28, 2009

Congratulations. I'm pretty new to having a "real" tractor too but I've putzed around with a little one for years. Grease grease grease is one thing I have learned for sure. Also, test all sorts of lifts with the FEL to learn the limits safely vs learning on the job.

I find one thing I have had a hard time disciplining myself with is safety. The urge to jump off and get something while in gear, to leave the FEL or something else in an in use positon while quickly going to get something, not wearing a seat belt, all that sort of stuff. Be safe.

Another thing is let your tractor warm up vs start and go. Also, find out what RPM's to run for various applications.

srjones · May 28, 2009

1. When you find yourself in 'tilting' situation, slow down.
2. If you have muddy land, eventually you will get stuck. Have a plan.
3. FluidFilm works great to prevent rust and lubricate those places where grease would just be messy.
4. Consider the ergonomic factors. (neck, back, knees). Take stretch breaks.
5. Get a steering wheel spinner.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher with you at all times, but especially in the summer.
7. With attachments, try to visualize what would happen if any one part broke. This becomes even more critical with blades are spinning at high speeds.
8. Keep your fuel tank topped off (and since you're in Ontario, you should probably use an anti-gel agent or #1 fuel in the winter)
9. Use your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) most importantly hearing protection and eye protection.

Coolnorth · May 28, 2009

Cat_Driver said:
He told me a guy with a bran new Cat D7 let his guys run it without that advice and was working the tractor on an incline without enough oil in the pan and burned up the engine.

Ah, I learned a bit about this on Saturday, but my oil gauge gave me ample warning, when I climbed up a small bank at the end of a plow run, the oil pressure suddenly started bouncing until I levelled out - checked oil and found it over a whole quart low! Good thing to consider! You really do learn something every day!

Dave, where are you in N Ont? I'm in Dryden...

Soundguy · May 28, 2009

spinning blades and shafts will get you in a second. and don't have any mercy.

soundguy

jimmyj said:
Congratulations. I'm pretty new to having a "real" tractor too but I've putzed around with a little one for years. Grease grease grease is one thing I have learned for sure. Also, test all sorts of lifts with the FEL to learn the limits safely vs learning on the job.

I find one thing I have had a hard time disciplining myself with is safety. The urge to jump off and get something while in gear, to leave the FEL or something else in an in use positon while quickly going to get something, not wearing a seat belt, all that sort of stuff. Be safe.

Another thing is let your tractor warm up vs start and go. Also, find out what RPM's to run for various applications.

kthompson · May 28, 2009

Read the manuals. Then read them again as you use the equipment. Search youtube for mistakes others have made and learn from them.

Don't engage PTO at full engine rpms.

leonandtherese · May 29, 2009

Welcome fellow newbie.

(I'm two years into my life change of serious urban into actual farming).

I can not stress enough to refer to this site for anything and everything.

Thee best community that I have ever been involved in. Period.

My two cents.

1). Refer to this site for anything and everything, (It's deja vue -sp?- all over again - Y.B.).
&
2). Be careful in regards to this site. Not that the info is bad, I find the community to be wonderfully self-correcting. It is just that I have come to this site to just do a quick info search and have ended up spending hours reading what seems to be an almost overwhelming amount of necessary information.
&
3). Okay, more than two, be careful with the tractor, but enjoy.

Dave5264 · May 29, 2009

Coolnorth said:
Cat_Driver said:

Dave, where are you in N Ont? I'm in Dryden...

Click to expand...

Im just South of North Bay in a town called Powassan

Great Tips Guys, thanks, I've got lots to Learn

jimmyj · May 29, 2009

Powassan - been through there many a time. Is there a restaurant called the Wagon Wheel there?

Another thing, keep the FEL low.

powergod · May 29, 2009

the only advice I could give is when you are working with the tractor pay attention to the little voice in your head, it usually knows what its talking about.

Mike_Kanzer · May 29, 2009

I second what powergod said. If a situation with the tractor feels wrong in your gut it most likely is. Stop, put your load down for a second and re-ascess the situation. It will save you a lot of grief later on. Good luck with your tractor. Enjoy it! - Mike

RWolf · May 29, 2009

A well maintained tractor can kill you just as fast as a poorly maintained one. Think safety everytime BEFORE you climb into the seat. You will learn your limits the more you work your machine.

RobertN · May 29, 2009

Other thing came to me after reading a few more responses.

Go slow.

Even after ten years with a tractor, the faster I go, I make more mistakes or make a mess.

craiglee · May 30, 2009

To all greenhorns
Just be really, really careful, treat your tractor like you might handle your chainsaw...with lots of respect.
Specifically, turn the tractor completely off when hooking up the PTO.
Never drag anything like logs from anything other than the tow bar, never from the 3 point hitch, otherwise the front end might come up and over on you if the load you're dragging gets hung up.
If you are going from field to field on a highway full open in high gear lock your brakes together.
If you're on a hill sideways and feel yourself tipping steer downhill immediately. (You shouldn't be on that steep of slope anyway but just in case.)
Always set your brake when hopping off even for a second.
Keep the guards on the PTO shaft though it's tempting to take them off for better access. And watch out for loose clothing getting in those shafts and machinery.

Botabill · May 30, 2009

Always keep your FEL low especially when it is loaded. If you have a load in your FEL and you feel you are tipping (for whatever reason) drop the loader and this can save your butt.