Rookie mistakes

KYTurkey · May 20, 2005

Well, so far in about 13 hours' worth of total seat time on my very first tractor, I have learned:

*that "High" and "Low" don't refer to the amount of pulling power and/or traction on a hill /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

*that the mower generally cuts a whole lot better when you remember to crank the RPM's up to operating speed /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

*that you CAN move an air conditioner pad, with air conditioner installed, with just the corner of the mower deck /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

*that there's a handy collar around the fuel tank throat to catch the diesel fuel that spills when you over fill it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

*that diesel exhaust WILL set off a smoke detector in the garage if you drive it in at high RPM's /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

*that Daddy's "coolness factor" went up about 100% when he brought home a REAL tractor for the rugrats to sit on and pretend they're planting corn. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

*that now I need an end loader, and a backhoe, and a box scraper, and a post hole digger, and a 1-bottom plow, and a bush hog, and....

thcri · May 20, 2005

(
*that you CAN move an air conditioner pad, with air conditioner installed, with just the corner of the mower deck /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
)

I don't think that one was on the list of mistakes in the main owning/operating forum?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's just battle scars that is all. And just because you say your a rookie doesn't just give you the right to make mistakes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif as we all do even with over a 1000 hours.

Welcome to TBN.

murph

rcrcomputing · May 20, 2005

And, before you hit 50 hours, you will learn..

Phone, propane and are underground.

2-way sattelite is above ground and 4x4's break easier than you'd think.

To appreciate getting a good dealer to bother with dumb questions.

Poisen ivy is EVERYWHERE and how to identify it.

Water doesn't run out of a pipe in the **** if it's higher than the spill way. (long story)

Mud past the axles is an issue without the backhoe on!

Box blading must be an art. I suck! (Have no clue what I'm doing)

Brush hogs are the king of the weed wackers! Way cool!

Every male coming on the property know all about tractors.

95% of tractor mfg are to dumb to put a decent gas tank/nozzle location.

Must zip tie fel pins because trees eat them.

tractor mfg haven't figured out we need to carry a few tools.

Zip ties are the cat's meow

Your wife does not appreciate all this HARD work. She thinks your playing.

You have to work on new tractors too. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Grease fitting come off for no apparent reason.

............. I'm out of breath .............

PineRidge · May 20, 2005

A few points you'll learn quickly

The weather is somehow tied into the amount of work that needs to be done with the tractor.

When the tractor work is caught up we always see high pressure (good weather).

When there is lots of tractor work that needs to be done we always see low pressure (cold, overcast, and wet weather).

R-4s are practically worthless in the mud as they turn into slicks.

And Ag tires will eat your lawn for breakfast. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Egon · May 21, 2005

The main item!!

Never ever mow the WIFE"S flowers or shrubs or bang into her car. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And after you have sat in the seat for too many hours to even think about you'll still make all oppsi's you started out making.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KenVT · May 21, 2005

There is nothing done wrong with a tractor that can't be righted again... by a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Your wife thinks your tractor is sexy.
Your PTO like to eat sheer pins.
Foldable ROPS should be folded when entering your barn.
When using your bucket as a carry-all, remember to empty it before using.
Diesel Engines do not start well when ran until empty.

Finally....If you can't find a reason to use the tractor, your not thinking hard enough.

Ken

LarryD · May 21, 2005

that now I need an (Front?) end loader 

This IS the prefered tool for repositioning items displaced by 3PH implements. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

AlanB · May 21, 2005

See if I can post this so it makes sense. The one liner would be,

Never lecture the wife on what not to do on the tractor, as you may eat your words.

The story behind it is, we had just got our used tractor and were moving a dirt hill on the property that we rented. As per Pine Ridges earlier post, it was grey rainy very muddy and wet, puddles everywhere.

I had a 1/4 tank showing on the gauge, did I mention that I had just bought the tractor? and wanted to finish up a bit, then drive the tractor home by the gas station and fill up so the wife went ahead and drove home....

As I had gotten on the tractor and realized she had run it down to a 1/4 tank and lectured her a little about insuring that she never ran it out of fuel, that it would be real hard to get started if she ever ran it dry.

She left, I dug into the dirt, my front end was down in a hole full of mud / water, get a big heavy load on the bucket and start to lift to discover that the fuel port is at the back of the tank just as the lift arms get to where they are blocking the fuel bleed port and the fuel fill.

Yep, call the wife, uh, honey, bring the diesel can,,,,,,,, First time I have to bleed it I first pour diesel all over the top of my tractor trying to hit the opening, then stand in mud and water over my boots trying to figure out the bleed procedure because I do not think I had the manual yet, all the while listening to the charming tone of the Ms. in the background, what was it I had to be careful not to do????????

I still pay for that one.

thcri · May 21, 2005

(
Never lecture the wife on what not to do on the tractor, as you may eat your words.
I still pay for that one. )

Alan,

By chance you don't have pictures of this do you. I would love to see the look on your face while your wife stands at a distance mumbling something under her breath. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Murph

SteveInMD · May 22, 2005

I've learned....

Don't drive down a hill with a loader bucket full of rocks in 2WD - the brakes are on the rear wheels. Backward in 4WD is a much better idea, however it is a slower trip.

Balancing large loads on a loader bucket is a good way to tip a tractor over. Fortunately one rear wheel lifts off the ground due to the front axle pivot before the whole thing tips over. Buy pallet forks to carry things nice and low to the ground.