JerryG
Super Member
<font color="blue"> Too bad tractor operation is a "solo" activity! </font>
We have a member with a two seater tractor.
We have a member with a two seater tractor.
Tractor rules? - newbie
- Thread starter lcorrell
- Start date
- Views: 3016
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
KIOTIJOHN pretty much says it all bu ti will add one thing JUST THINK BEFORE !!!!!
Henro
Elite Member
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- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
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- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
<font color="blue"> I suggest you read posts contained in the Safety Discussion Site here on TBN. </font>
This is the first thing that popped into my mind too as far as what the "rules" should be.
In addition, reading some other sites where reports exist on various tractor accidents can be worthwhile too. One I remember in particular is where a guy was backing up on a tractor without a rops, and forgot about a low limb on a tree...it was a gear tractor...squeezed him between the streering wheel and the limb...fatality.
Backflips when tires are frozen to the ground was another surprise for me when I was doing some reading as a new tractor owner.
Read and understand how a tractor is VERY different than a car or truck. In my opinion this should be one of the rules for newbies...
This is the first thing that popped into my mind too as far as what the "rules" should be.
In addition, reading some other sites where reports exist on various tractor accidents can be worthwhile too. One I remember in particular is where a guy was backing up on a tractor without a rops, and forgot about a low limb on a tree...it was a gear tractor...squeezed him between the streering wheel and the limb...fatality.
Backflips when tires are frozen to the ground was another surprise for me when I was doing some reading as a new tractor owner.
Read and understand how a tractor is VERY different than a car or truck. In my opinion this should be one of the rules for newbies...
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
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"Backflips when tires are frozen to the ground was another surprise for me"
I read about this kind of accident when I bought my 670 four years ago. The one I read about was a farmer operating a larger utility tractor in Iowa (if I recall correctly). The tractor had been left in a field. When started the next day, the farmer put it in a forward gear and the machine just rotated around the axle. The tires had frozen to the ground.
That's a heck of a thing, isn't it?
I read about this kind of accident when I bought my 670 four years ago. The one I read about was a farmer operating a larger utility tractor in Iowa (if I recall correctly). The tractor had been left in a field. When started the next day, the farmer put it in a forward gear and the machine just rotated around the axle. The tires had frozen to the ground.
That's a heck of a thing, isn't it?
jimainiac
Platinum Member
I sympathize with your predicament. When we got our first tractor I didn't know what half of the levers did. The most important thing is to maintain a healthy respect for the tractor as you get familiar with operating it. As others have said, it's important to keep weight on the rear to counter the loader, and filled rear tires or wheel weights can help to lower the center of gravity. Also, most tractors' rear wheels can be adjusted for different widths. It's best to put them at their widest setting for operating on side hills.
Another really important thing; don't try to shift gears going up or down a hill. If you can't get it back in gear you'll go for a wild freewheeling ride that may not end well.
As others have said, there's a lot of information about tractor safety on the web.
Another really important thing; don't try to shift gears going up or down a hill. If you can't get it back in gear you'll go for a wild freewheeling ride that may not end well.
As others have said, there's a lot of information about tractor safety on the web.
kozak
Platinum Member
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- Forest, Ontario Canada
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- New Holland TC35D c/w FEL, ACCO Allis 1614
RoyJackson,
That is WILD !! Back tires stationary & the tractor just does a 360 degree flip. INCREDIBLE. Must have been 4 wheel drive.
Vic
That is WILD !! Back tires stationary & the tractor just does a 360 degree flip. INCREDIBLE. Must have been 4 wheel drive.
Vic
kozak
Platinum Member
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- Feb 1, 2004
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- 639
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- Forest, Ontario Canada
- Tractor
- New Holland TC35D c/w FEL, ACCO Allis 1614
NO, this is even more insane, the back tires frozen.....& tractor just turned over on the rear drive shaft !! ??
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( NO, this is even more insane, the back tires frozen.....& tractor just turned over on the rear drive shaft !! ??
)</font>
The larger tractor was most likely two wheel drive. Four wheel wouldn't have made a lot of difference anyway.
The rear axle is like a fulcrum. Power forward with the rear tires locked into position and the tractor has to do something, and that something is to try to rotate the tires forward, lifting the front end sending it back over the fulcrum. It only takes moments to happen, and of course by the time one realizes what's happening, often it is too late.
John
)</font>
The larger tractor was most likely two wheel drive. Four wheel wouldn't have made a lot of difference anyway.
The rear axle is like a fulcrum. Power forward with the rear tires locked into position and the tractor has to do something, and that something is to try to rotate the tires forward, lifting the front end sending it back over the fulcrum. It only takes moments to happen, and of course by the time one realizes what's happening, often it is too late.
John
Dargo
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( RoyJackson,
That is WILD !! Back tires stationary & the tractor just does a 360 degree flip. )</font>
It would only actually be a 180 degree flip. The ground would prevent it from going any further. Although unlikely, because the operator would have to do several things wrong, it is certainly possible. I happened to go get a tractor that had been stuck the day before and this nearly happened. Fortunately the "doesn't feel right" part of me kicked in. The engine really, really lugged and it wouldn't move. I applied more power and went to slip the clutch more and it still wouldn't move. I then went to the lowest gear range and lowest gear and each time I went to let the clutch out the front raised. Weird! Each time I'd jam the clutch back down and the front would slam back to the ground rather violently. It took me 2 or 3 trys before I realized what was going on. I'd never heard any story about this before, but I figured out what was happening and didn't mash myself.
I suppose if the tractor had enough power and you just dumped the clutch it could go over relatively fast. Or, if you didn't have the reaction to jam the clutch down when the front slowly raised in low gear, low range, you could go on over. Maybe I was fortunate, but when it just "didn't feel right", I got off and began thinking about the situation.
That is WILD !! Back tires stationary & the tractor just does a 360 degree flip. )</font>
It would only actually be a 180 degree flip. The ground would prevent it from going any further. Although unlikely, because the operator would have to do several things wrong, it is certainly possible. I happened to go get a tractor that had been stuck the day before and this nearly happened. Fortunately the "doesn't feel right" part of me kicked in. The engine really, really lugged and it wouldn't move. I applied more power and went to slip the clutch more and it still wouldn't move. I then went to the lowest gear range and lowest gear and each time I went to let the clutch out the front raised. Weird! Each time I'd jam the clutch back down and the front would slam back to the ground rather violently. It took me 2 or 3 trys before I realized what was going on. I'd never heard any story about this before, but I figured out what was happening and didn't mash myself.
I suppose if the tractor had enough power and you just dumped the clutch it could go over relatively fast. Or, if you didn't have the reaction to jam the clutch down when the front slowly raised in low gear, low range, you could go on over. Maybe I was fortunate, but when it just "didn't feel right", I got off and began thinking about the situation.
DGS
Silver Member
If you have your tires frozen in the ground use reverse in the lowest range that the machine will do.
When the power is applied it will force the front down instead of lifting the front up.
It will usually break your rear tires free.
If it doesent you are really really stuck and you should get another machine to assist getting you moving again.
I learned this from an old timer and he said it was the only safe way to do this.
Makes sense to me.
DGS
When the power is applied it will force the front down instead of lifting the front up.
It will usually break your rear tires free.
If it doesent you are really really stuck and you should get another machine to assist getting you moving again.
I learned this from an old timer and he said it was the only safe way to do this.
Makes sense to me.
DGS