Operating Skills

[mjarrels]

Anyone have exceptions skill at tractor operating:

Years ago, dad could pull a loaded hay wagon getting a running start up into the bank barn, hit a steering brake, turn the wheel and park that wagon just where he wanted in. Could back a loaded hay wagon it too. To this day, I just can't back up a 4 wheel wagon worth a hoot. Someone here once posted that he knew someone who could back up two wagons hooked together. Shoot, I probably could't pull two together without taking out a gate or two.

mark

 

[LoneCowboy]

I've noticed most people can't work a FEL to save their life.

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Mark,
Nah Im like you, I manage to get the tractor to do what I want most of the time but nothing to write home to Mom about

My Grand Pop farmed with a team of horses, somethin tells me there was a little skill involved there

I see your from the Shenendoah Valley Virginia, real beautiful country for sure! I drove down through there a few years back on the way to Bristol,Tn for the March race. It was a great ride !

 

[RobS]

Anyone have exceptions skill at tractor operating:

Years ago, dad could pull a loaded hay wagon getting a running start up into the bank barn, hit a steering brake, turn the wheel and park that wagon just where he wanted in. Could back a loaded hay wagon it too. To this day, I just can't back up a 4 wheel wagon worth a hoot. Someone here once posted that he knew someone who could back up two wagons hooked together. Shoot, I probably could't pull two together without taking out a gate or two.

mark

Not me, I have to work pretty hard at avoiding solid objects when moving forward! I do remember seeing some time back, either a 4H or FFA tractor rodeo where one of the competitions was backing two four wheel wagons. I was impressed with the abilities of some of those kids.

 

[Oleozz]

I basically come from a farming family, my grandfather, uncles, and cousins were extremely skillful tractor drivers because they spent lots of time on their tractors. My uncle even now at 82 yrs young could probably still outmanuever most tractor operators half his age. He's up every morning at 4 feeding the steers and helps his son every day with the farm work.

 

[Havoctec]

I've had to back up a baler and hayrack several times. It was not real pretty but I got it done. Grew up on a farm, so operating tractors and other machinary is second nature to me. However, I would not say that i am excetionaly skilled. Just have a lot of practice.

 

[jimmy1]

Afternoon Mark: As a kid I always had trouble backing a wagon, my dad was good at it and said that I turned the steering wheel too much. Today when I'm at his place and he is putting his forage wagons away for the season he will back them into the shed side by side amoungst other stuff. I can get them in today if I take it slow and straighten myself out a few times by going forward. Two wagons would be a recipe for disaster. I think there must be a natural knack that some people must have for backing wagons straight.
Jim

 

[N80]

I think you get good at what you practice. I couldn't back a wagon to save my life. But after only a year I think I handle the FEL pretty well (but that's by my standards and I have nothing to compare it to.) But I have to say, I have gotten quite good at knocking down young 6" pines. I know just where to place the bucket so they bend and then the roots pop out rather than breaking the trunk. I know just where to dig the bucket in in front of the roots. Then I just curly the bucket and lift it right out of the ground, roots and all. I can do it in one pass. I know, big deal, but that's the only thing I might be able to do on a tractor that is any better than what any other newbie on a tractor could do.

The guy down the road from my place is good at dropping round bales off his hay forks while moving and busting up the bale all in one pass. He gets up a little speed, raises the loader a little then dumps its, it rolls ahead of the tractor for a second, or less, but he gets the forks down and hits it and it comes apart and sometimes unrolls perfectly. Doesn't look safe, but I've been tractoring for a year, he's been doing it for 40, so I don't plan on saying anything.

 

[rback33]

Doesn't look safe, but I've been tractoring for a year, he's been doing it for 40, so I don't plan on saying anything.

You just make sure you keep yer "emergency, field dress the crazy guy" kit handy right?

 

[Thomas]

Watching gentlmen operatoring yesterdays iron can be rewarding,for they have the feel of the tractor as they puff on the pipe or spit chew as they work the pedal and hand clutch....yup its gotta be in the blood...visit old time country fair tractor pull.

There times Iam like cub bear w/boxing gloves on trying to operate.