Somewhat embarrassing question.

[dmay]

Um....how does one go test-drive various tractors...when you've never driven one before? :ashamed: I don't want to embarrass myself at the dealership.

I'm new to my area and don't know anyone here to ask to 'practice' on their tractor.

It's embarrassing to admit this, but I'm afraid of pulling the wrong lever or backing over something in the parking lot at the dealer. Any ideas? :ashamed:

I commend you for admiting your inexperience. We all started with no experience at one time. The thing is even if you do know a particular tractor there are very few defined standards and enough differences between brands that everyone needs an intro to control locations.

A tractor has the following main areas of operation. The tractor itself, a FEL (front end loader), a rear 3 pt hitch, mid and rear PTO (power take off).

To learn about a tractor you are interested in go online and read the Users Manual. Here is the manual for my John Deere 2320. You can learn the control locations and the main areas of operation before you get seat time.

I agree a great way to meet your neighbours is to go introduce yourself, state your looking at buying a tractor and ask if they have the time to show you their tractor. If you have a neighbor who has the same tractor you are considering even better.

When you call your dealer. Let them know you are new to tractors but have done some research and would like someone to spend time showing you how to operate <enter tractor of your choice> and then permit you some seat time yourself. Ask the dealer if they would be able to do this. Some dealers really are not set up very well. Others have dirt, sand and stone piles you can play in. Others prefer to deliver to you to demo on your property. If the dealer says yes ask what day and time is best for them. Dropping in unannounced on a busy Sat might not be as successful as a planned mid week afternoon appointment.

Meet your neighbors. Meet your dealers. Get some seat time. Enjoy.

 

[placecraft]

I just went through the same thing. I bought a tractor never having driven one a month before.

First, a friend let me drive a tractor on his farm, so I'd have the basics of transmissions and driving. I really appreciated the hand-holding, but I could've skipped this if I'd had to because . . .

Second, I went to local dealers. My local John Deere dealer (VA Tractor) showed me brochures and then took me out to ogle their chained-together tractors. They made no move towards tests drives. Twice I tried. I was kept waiting. The sales staff would get sidetracked. It felt like a club I hadn't been asked to join.

Then I went to other dealers. There was not much used equipment around. And there isn't much here in the way of the many many tractor brands which used to exist.

Then I went to my Kubota dealer (McMichaels). There the salesperson had tractors out and running, putting me on them, and answering my questions plainly and without judgment. He was showing me differences between the tractors, letting me drive them, and we were dropping and reattaching the bucket, the loader arms like that <snap>. Awesome!

In the end Kubota had the tractor for me anyway, for various very good reasons. (LOVE it) And when I bought it, I specifically asked to have some 'education' time included. My salesperson came to my farm both when the tractor was delivered and when the cutter and tiller were delivered. He taught me how to connect and disconnect the 3pt equipment, as well as everything I needed to know.

At my first service (50 hours) recently, I stopped by the shop and they even went over with me what I need to be regularly checking. In the end I might have paid a little more for my lack of knowledge and tractor savvy, but the time they've spent with me has been invaluable, and I appreciate it.

Long story short, - having just done what youre doing - I'd say find a helpful dealer and be honest about your need to learn. And if you find a dealership that isn't helpful and treats you badly - don't feel stupid or embarrassed - it's not your problem, it's theirs.

 

[robarosa]

Go to a used or auction site. For example, there is one south of Tyler TX. that has a separate area for buyers to check out used tractors.

 

[ustmd]

Um....how does one go test-drive various tractors...when you've never driven one before? :ashamed: I don't want to embarrass myself at the dealership.

I'm new to my area and don't know anyone here to ask to 'practice' on their tractor.

It's embarrassing to admit this, but I'm afraid of pulling the wrong lever or backing over something in the parking lot at the dealer. Any ideas? :ashamed:

I was in the same place as you 3 years ago. I did a little research on the Internet, decided what I wanted/needed the tractor for and then went out to dealerships.

I told them right up front about having no experience and then used how they treated me as a guide to narrowing the field.

Some of them would only show me brochures. Some of them tried to sell me tractors way too big (I know that is heresy on this forum). The good ones, however, had no problem having me test drive a tractor in an open field and answering all of my questions.

It was from among that group, that I picked my tractor.

 

[dodge man]

How to learn to drive a tractor? That is an embarrassing question. You only get to do this once. You just hop the machine and have at it. You get to back into the owners car, break the showroom window, run into the landscaping etc. Then get in your car and don't ever go back:laughing:

When I bought my little tractor, I just told the salesman I had never operated a tractor either. They were very understanding and its a lot easier than it looks. Its a good idea to try them out before you buy. As a rookie, I sometimes think you might be more open minded on what machine would be good for you. In other words, you aren't set in your tractor ways yet.

Like someone posted above, my Kubota dealer helped me pick out the right machine for me, and the guy that delivered it did a great job of showing me the ropes, both in running the machine and maintaining it.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Start with new tractors with hydrostatic transmission--these are easy to drive, like an automatic transmission in a car.

That's what I was going to say. That way, if there is any issue you just let off the pedal and the tractor should stop (as long as your are on level ground).

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I agree with everyone here...don't be embarassed. Anyone who is snide to any question is down right crude.

I think what I would do is go shopping at a dealer with a showroom full of tractors. Simply explain you have an interest in owning a tractor but you don't have a clue about the operation of one. Observe the machine and ask questions about the various pedals and levers. Then, grab some brochures and return with more questions in a few days.

In fact, do this to as many dealerships as you can. That alone can help you be an educated buyer and you can decipher which dealer you trust most.

Enjoy the journey. Owning a tractor allows you to do projects that you never dreamed you could. One of lifes true pleasures.:thumbsup:

Best wishes.

 

[Learning to Farm]

Newbie to newbie:

Don't ever feel embarrassed to say to someone you are new this. If you want to learn to do this and have the time, offer to work for education. That is how I got my seat time. I started on the Kubota, which is an "automatic". I did basic stuff like mowing with a brush hog. When I needed to use the Ford, which is a manual, it was a quick lesson on high-low when shifting (one of the pros can explain it better). My 2 cents is unless you want an older tractor, the automatic is the way to go to learn. Less to multitask about while running implements.

Getting back to seat time, depending where you are advertise free labor in exchange for them to teach you, try craigslist, library and grocery store pin boards, feed or co-ops like southern states. Put up hay, splitting wood, tilling and planting food plots all are hard work and a set of free-hands are always worth a second look. Another place to go to is your local extension office, my go to guy in mine, sent me an email for a tractor maintenance course (it was $100) at the they end they let the newbie drive different brands. I am looking to learn to till and plant next spring, I plan on advertising free labor just to come and learn.

Good luck and welcome to the club.

 

[Pete Judd]

If you don't ask you will never learn. I learned by riding on the fender of a JD model B, and a MM model Z. Cut hay and raked when I was 8 or 9 years old. Then when I was around 15 my father bought a Bolens hydro with a fel, and a tiller, Had to relearn everything. Then 22 years ago, bought our place in the country, with 5 + acres to mow, and moved through the cheap riders, the higher end riders (JD Hydro). Found them to not last very long, so now I am back on a small tractor, a Yanmar with the Power Shift transmission, and had yet another learning curve to deal with. I always look forward to learning something new every day, and One thing the I have learned over the years, is that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

 

[LMan1967]

Thanks for all the encouragment! I hadn't thought of my inexperience being a good 'discriminator' at various dealerships but I think that's right, it would be. I wouldn't want a tractor from a dealer who wouldn't want a newbie around...

I like the rental idea, too. At least I can mess up at home by myself!

RE: signature, yeah, I'll be back with more questions. But then, you knew that, didn't you?

 

[k0ua]

I started on a rather balky non-syncronized Gear model, but got used to it pretty quickly. It did have power steering. But I would recommend starting on a Hydrostat equipped Transmission. Like others have said, if you want to stop just take your foot off the pedal and it will come to a nice stop on its own, you dont even have to press the brakes. With power steering and a hydrostat it is actually easier than driving a car and somewhat more fun. Learning to run a Front End Loader takes a while longer. Most people can do something with one in 30 minutes. but to really get good with one can take a while. It just depends on the person. But to operate the 3 point hitch and the Power Take Off like for a rotary cutter (bush hog) only takes being shown how once, and you are usually off and running. Most dealers around here will put you on a tractor pretty quick for a test drive. All in all you will do fine. In my mind because you have expressed the fact you are not a macho "know it all" you are already well ahead of many others, and will probably have a safe operating experience. Good luck and enjoy your first "check ride"

James K0UA