OPERATIONAL TIPS FOR NEWBIES

[CurlyDave]

I appreciate the responses to my question. Looking at it again, I think my thought did not quite come through the question I asked. Guess I should've prefaced my post with: "Following all aforementioned great advice like any intelligent tractor operator should, obeying all safety rules and limitations of the equipment in question, said equipment being properly connected, loaded and secured, and tractor operator being fully conscious, sober and alert" and then asked: Any opinion on whether the aforementioned 3-pt. hitch adapter, (steel triangle that connects to all 3 points of the 3-pt hitch and accepts a standard pick-up 2"x 2" hitch-ball mount) with said 3-pt hitch in a properly lowered position, would be any better or worse than towing with the drawbar in which a standard hitch ball does not fit properly without some sort of bushing or adaptation?

I might be a newbie, but I can use lots of words (some big ones too) in one sentence .

'Dude's avatar/advice:
LBrown: Ouch, man. Sad story. Point well taken. Carelessness, impatience, inattention, fatigue all can be stealthy enemies, wreaking havoc or worse when we least expect it.

Just go get the bushing, it is cheap.

The factory engineers have put a lot of effort into assuring that the tractor will not overturn if you pull from the drawbar.

If you pull from the 3 point hitch the tractor can overturn. Also, since there is no downpressure on the 3 point, it will automatically lift up as a hard pull tries to overturn the tractor, making the situation worse.

If you have your seatbelt and ROPS you may survive.

Your adds are a lot better using the proper drawbar.

 

[Soundguy]

If I had any pull on the 3pt drawbar.. I'd be using stays for sure!

soundguy

 

[workinallthetime]

use a paint pen and write the hours on the filter when you change it, you always know where your at that way. Check your fluids before you head out and ALWAYS look for signs of leaks before you start out and while your working. Spotting a sudden wet spot on the dirt saved me from certain engine damage on an old 175 we had, block had cracked due to a bolt had backed out on the loader and I was leaving a trail.
keep fuel cans clean and new, always have extra oil and hydro fluid on hand in case of a situation.

 

[tugboat-2]

Yes I would say,..perhaps even more important to check for leaks,..."On a Brand New Tractor". The first few weeks using the loader, I tightened several hydraulic line connections that "began-leaking-with-use".

Just guessing here, but "perhaps" coming down the assembly line, they get connected quickly and perhaps quickly snugged up with a wrench,.....BUT probably not "always" given that extra careful "tightening" that "time-on-the-line" doesn't allow for??

Naturally I'm guessing at this as I've not been on the line, but knowing that speed is usually a "line" factor,...it seems "possible"??

Also,...(having done pre-delivery), I assume many dealers do a fairly thorough "pre-delivery" but cannot be expected to check each and every connection. Even if they did, you can't always tell,...it's amazing how tight a connection can seem and still leak under pressure!

So my advice to "new" tractor owners,...whether it's new or used, but "new" to you,... For a while, keep a "real" close watch for drips, leaks or dirt sticking somewhere it shouldn't. Check to see if it's oily? I carried wrenches that fit the lines for a while. Seems ok now. Good luck with your maintenance as it is an important part of tractor "Problem-Avoidance"!!!

AND,..of course, some "tug-safety-tips": Make sure your hydraulics are ..DOWN.. and ..RELAXED, ..."prior" to tightening!!!!! Cuz, "IF" you accidentally strip the thread or twist/break/rupture a line,.. the loader, 3 pt etc could DROP down "instantly" and injure you severely!!!!

Best Wishes,
. . tug

 

[workinallthetime]

1 real good way to find a leak, or check for a leak is to clean the area real good and dry it off, then sprinkle baby powder over the suspected area. Then run the unit, the powder will show the fluid very quick. There is a spray can available for this made by Kent that i have used several times.

 

[Colby Forest]

Just go get the bushing, it is cheap.

The factory engineers have put a lot of effort into assuring that the tractor will not overturn if you pull from the drawbar.

If you pull from the 3 point hitch the tractor can overturn. Also, since there is no downpressure on the 3 point, it will automatically lift up as a hard pull tries to overturn the tractor, making the situation worse.

If you have your seatbelt and ROPS you may survive.

Your adds are a lot better using the proper drawbar.

Just a little clarification:

$80 for a custom (can't find a ready-made one to fit a hitch ball snugly into the drawbar around here) bushing = cheap??

Only pulling trailers around the yard with the 3-pt. adapter. Any real hard pulling, I plan to do with the drawbar.

Always wear my seatbelt

 

[Soundguy]

80$.. wow.. somebody saw you coming!

can't recall where.. but I've picke dthem up before for not much more than pocket change..

soundguy

 

[CurlyDave]

For a hard pull you want a clevis, not a ball anyway. Getting a good attachment to a ball with a chain is not nearly as easy as a clevis.

 

[GreenLawnFarm]

if it's broke, fix it promptly and correctly. don't rush. change fluids when recommended.

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

...parked the machine for the night, left the blade in the "up" position, climbed down and went home. A while later some of the local kids came by and began climbing on...

Years ago I was one of those types pf kids, climbing onto stuff I should not be climbing on. A bunch of friends and I we playing around a large crane that was parked in teh school parking lot overnight. The crane had a wrecking ball on it raised 30-40 ft up. One of the kids got up into the cab, while the rest of us played "chicken" under the ball. Yeah, stupid things kids do. As predictable, someone yanked on a lever and down came the ball. Fortunately no one was under the ball at the time. We ran like heck to get out of there. Now its 30 years later and every time I see a wrecking ball I think of that time.