Towing a trailer

[MossRoad]

DFB. Good caution point. I had the same warning on my pickup plow and it is true at highway speeds on a truck. It blocks the airflow through the radiator and the truck overheats. However, the only thing that I have found that overheated my tractor was grass in the radiator. I've carried large loads in my loader great distances with it raised right in front of my radiator without so much as a bump in the temp. Like Bird said, two machines with different uses.

Bob,
One other point. Does the tractor have turning brakes? If it does, be sure to lock the pedals together for any road travel. If you step on one turning brake at high speed, a roll over could easily occur.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...One other point. Does the tractor have turning brakes? If it does, be sure to lock the pedals together for any road travel. If you step on one turning brake at high speed, a roll over could easily occur.</font color=blue>

Yes it does, and yes I will! In fact, I leave them locked together normally. I haven't yet had a chance to use the tiller or mower or any other implement where sharp turning might be needed, so figured I'd make sure I didn't forget someday by just leaving them locked. I did experiment a bit, and it's quite surprising how sharply you can turn with this approach. I can imagine hitting one rear brake could be "exciting" while on the road!

Thanks for the reminder!

Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

Bird,
I'd have to agree with you on the heating up issue. I've blocked the front end with implements on every kind of tractor for sometimes the whole summer and have never experienced an overheating problem with any tractor. On the 4600 I rountinely pull a round bale trailer with six round bales and one on the front loader. These bales are the 5 and 6' ones and completely block the radiator. The needle doesn't even move after I get up to operating temps. I've hauled this load five miles or so and no problems. If it doesn't heat up with a round bale blocking it I really doubt it would heat up with a blade blocking the front end.

 

[Bird]

Yep, DFB, I'd be very cautious about anything blocking the air flow on a car or truck, so it's a "logical" assumption that it would apply to a tractor, too, and of course, I tend to keep a pretty close watch on the temperature gauge on any vehicle.

And Bob, I didn't even think about mentioning having the brake pedals locked together 'cause, like you, I leave them that way unless I specifically need them separated for something.

 

[MossRoad]

Good job! My IH2500B has turning brakes, and I leave them locked as well. I've never had the need to use them. I did like you, played with them and watched them dig a big hole as I pivoted on one wheel. Thought, Hey, that's neat, and never used them again. I could see where they would be handy if I was row cropping, but for day to day use, I don't need them.

 

[Thomas]

Also turning brakes come in handy when plowing snow in a tight area,also scooting between trees...but you gotta remember if there attachment on the back. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Also turning brakes come in handy when plowing snow in a tight area,also scooting between trees...but you gotta remember if there attachment on the back. </font color=blue>

Maybe I'll try them when (if?) we get some snow..

I'll bet there are some stories out there about people who forgot about rear implements while performing some of these tight turns!! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bob

 

[RoyJackson]

Hahahaha!
With me..I gotta remember to watch the FEL when I'm watching the rear implement

 

[TerryinMD]

Bob,

Another feature of the fixed "swinging" drawbar is that it is reversable. If you remove the pin and examine the drawbar, you will notice that the there are is one hole larger than the rest. On my 4100, most of the holes are 3/4" and there is one 1" hole. This will allow you to use a larger ball (buy a set of sleeves to adjust) or other hook/clevis.

The 3pt hitch drawbar is great for pulling out posts, saplings, and a whole range of other uses.

Terrry

 

[beenthere]

I don't leave my 'turning brake' pedals locked. I use them for more than just turning, as when I lose traction with one wheel (on a slick spot, load more on one side as when on a slope, etc.) I touch the brake on the spinning wheel to get traction from the other.
Also, when I am on the road, I do lock the pedals, but would only lightly touch them to slow down. Anything sudden when at road speed can 'upset the apple cart'. Letting off the HST pedal usually slows the tractor quickly enough without having to do anything with the brakes.
On some models of tractors the left/right brake pedals are worthless altogether because they are on the same side as the HST pedals.