Things I have learned.

[Big_A]

Hello All,

Being a newbie to this forum and to the wonderful world of new tractors, I thought I would share with y'all some of the few things I have learned in the last couple of weeks of tractor ownership that might help those that are going to be proud owners of their own machines someday.

#1) Anything that is loose on the tractor or implement (bolts, nuts, etc) will fall off and you won't be able to find it.

#2) You will lose hitch pins and linch pins, buy extra.

#3) If the implement came attached to your tractor and you take it off, you will forget how it goes back on.

#4) If the tractor doesn't go forward and the engine loads up, check the brake.

#5) If you have never driven a tractor with ROPS, watch out for trees, overhangs etc 'cause you will hit them.

#6) If the rotary mower is wider than your back tires, give yourself extra room as not to "snag" the cutter.

#7) For gear transmisson, ease the clutch off 'cause you probably ain't in the gear you think you are.

These are but a few, if any of you vetrans can think of any more, please feel free to add them before I find out the hard way! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[trkbldr]

Sounds like someone has been following me around taking notes /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. I want too add just this one: <ul type="square"> If tractor begins to sputter, loses power, and then the engine quits, don't start cursing the dealer. Add some fuel to the tank first /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. [/list]

 

[mountain_man]

Keep a can of WD40 (or similar) handy...

 

[MossRoad]

You're a quick learner. I especially like numbers 1 & 4. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[fivestring]

I think he's followed a lot of us around..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Learn by experience (other's).

 

[dmftoy1]

#5 - first day! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif LOL

 

[fivestring]

#4b. If the tractor doesn't go forward and the engine loads up, check to be sure the implement is raised and not hung on something.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

If you've got a diesel, don't let the fuel guage get below 1/4 tank. If the guage is wrong and you run out of fuel, you have quite an experience in front of you to restart. BobG in VA
(this happened to me in '68 with a 671 GM diesel. Took and hour to 'reload').

 

[TonyC]

How about one I learned not 15 minutes ago...if you're finish mowing and forget and drive over that low stump in the yard, the middle blade will come off!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[chrisjbell]

If you're cruising along and your tractor starts to overheat, then dies, make sure you didn't knock the drain valve open and lose all of your coolant /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif...

 

[B7500]

I don't care how careful you are you WILL get grease on yourself when you lube.
-Terry

 

[JimmyD]

And.. If you are mowing with new FEL on your tractor for the first time remember that it sticks out further than you think. The bucket is very efficient at snapping a 4X4 support post in half on your shed quicker than you can wink. Of course this could never happen to a seasoned veteran operator like me. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[frank_f15]

ADD THIS TO THE LIST. with hydro, don't get excited and press on the hydro pedal thinking it is the brake, don't ask how i know /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Adirondaks]

3b Ther are at least 9 ways to reattach the 3PH. Only 1 is the right way. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> NEVER let your wife know how much fun you are having on your tractor, as long as she thinks you are actually doing work, it will remain YOUR tractor. </font>

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I bought my JD 4200 with the backhoe on it. I also got a "Box o' Parts" that was alleged to be my 3 pt. hitch arms (in pieces), all my clips, my drawbar and my top link. Never having seen the 3PH ON made assembling and installing it the first time was an interesting puzzle, to say the least.

Bottom line is it's on and working so I'm happy. I doubt I'll ever break it down quite so far as it was when I got it, though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

I thought I was supposed to have all of those left over parts /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Dave

 

[jpr62902]

If you have to change a tire/wheel in the field, don't do it with your dad. When you wake up after the lug wrench kicked back and knocked you out cold, you'll only wake up to him complaining about how things aren't getting done. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[cisco]

Well, almost complete. Add:
1. when engaging the pto (on most tractors) for a brush cutter or similar, push in the clutch first (if you have one), then engage the pto, and finally let the clutch out slowly while the pto shaft starts to rotate and picks up the load of whatever is attached (me, the first time I just popped the pto lever, and the engine darn near stalled as it tried to start rotation of the blades on a heavy duty brush cutter).
2. when your temperature gauge starts to creep above the normal operating level, clean the screen in front of the radiator (it's usually clogged with stuff)
3. when anything goes wrong, push in the clutch or otherwise disengage the engine - brakes on most tractors will not be able to stop them against the engine torque
4. put a can of mosquito repellant and a pair of gloves in the tool box on your tractor
5. and, per prior posts, do NOT let your wife realize how much fun you're having - complain a bit after each tractor session

 

[EddieWalker]

Add wasp spray with the mosquito repelant.