What advice do you have?

[bnew17]

I recently purchased my first tractor. I am an avid hunter and gardener. I knew i always wanted a tractor, but for the last 10 years I always talked myself out of purchasing a tractor because i know pretty much knew nothing about tractors and how they work. Meaning, if the tractor ever would not crank, or not function properly I would be a fish out of water. I am the type of person that likes to do things for myself, if I can. I don't like not knowing basic things about upkeep and repair. I feel like most of everybody on here knows how to fix, diagnose, trouble shoot, or repair their tractors,,,which i find amazing as i read through everybodys posts. What advice can you all give me to get to that point? The thought of not knowing these things stresses me out because I dont want to have to call on somebody everytime something comes up, not only because its aggravating , but also because its expensive. Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

It is time to add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE. Are you in Alaska? California?
New York? Urban, suburban or rural?

I recently purchased my first tractor.

Enter your tractor MAKE and MODEL into your T-B-N PROFILE.

 

[redman135]

Hello and welcome to tbn.

First port of call READ THE MANUAL. I assume you bought a new tractor, it comes with a manual. If it is used then go online to find a supplier of manuals.
What make of tractor do you have?

Remember, EVERYONE was a learner at some point. Don't hesitate to ask. In time you will be helping other newbys.

 

[Thomas]

You be surprise how much you know about tractor when the time comes,like most of us you learn as you go.

 

[dodge man]

I agree, you learn as you go. There is probably a sub forum on here for your tractor, read all you can. Have you done any wrenching in the past? Do you have many mechanics tools? I did a lot with cars in the past so already had a lot of tools. Start out easy, oil changes and basic maintenance.

Also you have to get over your fear, your fear of screwing up or breaking something. So far I have been able to fix something I have taken apart but at times I am still concerned when it is all apart. How will I ever get it back together? Somehow I always manage. I have attached pictures of a chainsaw I just rebuilt while it was broken down completely . It also helps to take pictures as you take stuff apart. I took about 20 of the saw as I took it apart, I needed 40.

 

[MossRoad]

I recently purchased my first tractor. I am an avid hunter and gardener. I knew i always wanted a tractor, but for the last 10 years I always talked myself out of purchasing a tractor because i know pretty much knew nothing about tractors and how they work. Meaning, if the tractor ever would not crank, or not function properly I would be a fish out of water. I am the type of person that likes to do things for myself, if I can. I don't like not knowing basic things about upkeep and repair. I feel like most of everybody on here knows how to fix, diagnose, trouble shoot, or repair their tractors,,,which i find amazing as i read through everybodys posts. What advice can you all give me to get to that point? The thought of not knowing these things stresses me out because I dont want to have to call on somebody everytime something comes up, not only because its aggravating , but also because its expensive. Thanks!

Your location has nothing to do with the questions at hand. Mentioning the make and model of you machine, however, would be helpful to someone that has a source of information to share with you.

A couple questions...

- do you have basic understanding of how an internal combustion engine works?
- have you ever taken one apart and seen the inside of it?
- learn the differences between, say, gasoline and diesel engines.
- simple troubleshooting questions if an engine won't start: does the engine spin over, but not fire?
- if it doesn't even spin when you try to start, is the battery dead, or is there an interruption in the electrical path to the starter?
- if it does spin, but doesn't fire, are you out of fuel, or is there an interruption in the fuel path?

Those last two questions are about as basic as it gets. Dead battery. Bad battery connections. Safety switch. Bad starter switch. Bad starter, etc.... out of fuel. Bad fuel pump. Plugged fuel line. Carb issues, etc....

I got my start by taking apart carburetors and rebuilding them as a teenager. Lawnmower engines. Took a few of those apart just to see how they moved. I rebuilt a car engine by reading a book. A Chilton's manual, as I recall.

With Youtube out there now, there are videos of just about everything.

As someone else mentioned, get a manual for your specific tractor and read it. When I bought my first machine, a mid 70's International 2500b tractor loader, I found all of the shop manuals, operator's manuals, etc... and just dove in on repairs.

I did the same thing with my current machine in that I bought a shop manual for the engine. It really helps, as it has a troubleshooting section.

I'd start there with your machine.... get a shop manual.

 

[MossRoad]

I agree, you learn as you go. There is probably a sub forum on here for your tractor, read all you can. Have you done any wrenching in the past? Do you have many mechanics tools? I did a lot with cars in the past so already had a lot of tools. Start out easy, oil changes and basic maintenance.

Also you have to get over your fear, your fear of screwing up or breaking something. So far I have been able to fix something I have taken apart but at times I am still concerned when it is all apart. How will I ever get it back together? Somehow I always manage. I have attached pictures of a chainsaw I just rebuilt while it was broken down completely . It also helps to take pictures as you take stuff apart. I took about 20 of the saw as I took it apart, I needed 40.

View attachment 673127

This is excellent advice. With cell phones in most of our pockets, we have the ability to document everything as we take it apart so we know where it was when the time comes to put it back. The more pictures the better. Just be sure to look at the pictures to make sure they aren't all blurry before you proceed to tear it down. :laughing:

 

[bearthebruce]

@bnew17, I am relatively new to the tractor world. I only have about 300 hours riding our Masey Ferg 1533 down in the mountains of Southwest Virginny. Being an engineer, my first order of business after getting the machine that had been sitting for 5 years to turn over, was to pull the manual and begin reading. I re-read it regularly. I have lots of moments when I say "Oh, that's how I am supposed to do that!"

Step number two was to join this forum and then I started reading, reading, reading. Guys here have a lot to say and if we listen to them, they give good advice. Not only do they give good advice, they do it in interesting ways. Sometimes I love reading their arguments. Sometimes not so much..

Next up for me was getting tools so I could do the maintenance and some repair myself. We are still dependent on our dealer for more than we would like to be but as others have said, we learn as we go. With success comes confidence. With confidence comes boldness. With boldness, we find Mr. Murphy and his tricks!

I have learned our lady is a strong lady. She can take my abuse when I do dumb things. I am still learning her capabilities. But I am also learning to read her.. I listen to her talk. I hear her grown or make an odd noise, and I check it out. Do remember, machines have souls. I was taught that by machine operators in a knitting mill producing Gold Toe socks.. The operator showed me how she respected her boy.. (seems guys think of their machines as female, gals think of theirs as male.. interesting, no?)

We added a FEL to her last year. That has been a bit interesting as an unskilled dumb old guy. Books tell you some. Hours in the seat are your best teacher. I need me a bunch more hours.. slow, cautious, thinking every moment is how I use the FEL right now.

With every new attempt at managing nearly 210 acres of mostly forest land, we learn what we can do, and what we should not do. I like having others around to say things like - "are you out of your mind?" Yeah, that pause their question forces me to take, has saved me a couple times I think.

I like to make light of things.. but I am an engineer. I know people get hurt and die on these machines when they ignore the safety standards. My ROPS is always up. My butt is always strapped in. If it don't feel right, I stop. I try to always work when I am not exhausted. My brain needs to be at its best. I am a morning person - the most challenging work is done in the morning.

Treat your tractor well. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Take care of the implements. Its a bugger to be 2 miles from the house/garage and have a break down. Climbing the mountain - the 600 foot rise at a pretty steep angle for this fat old man - is not something I like to do. I like riding up the mountain!

Best thing I can tell you is fall in love with using that machine. It's fun. It's rewarding. And it brings me back to my childhood where I always was with tonka big machines.. Now I play on them for real!

 

[Avenger]

Everyone starts somewhere. For me, it was taking apart thing and putting them back together just to see how they work, from an early age. Having an analytical mind, being able to think through a system, because you know how the system is supposed to work, goes along way in the troubleshooting phase of anything.

However, not everyone has this analytical mind, but require a tractor to make their lives easier. My Brother is this way. He was more of a jock, "Mr. Cool" in high school, metro-sexual, type of person. Older brother. We both grew up on the same farm, but he never really had an interest in doing anything with the farm. He knew how to drive the tractors, but outside of that, he would rather be in the city working a desk job. Even when it came to hooking or unhooking implements, he was lost. I did it all for him, which in retrospect was a mistake, but things needed to get done, repaired, diagnosed, planned, etc. That was my job, the 'mechanic' of the family.
Later in life, he got tired of working his IT job in the city and moved out into the country. Bought a used small tractor to help him with his chores, his wife's garden, etc. He still doesn't know diddly about tractors, but he knows he can always contact me, a friend, or his dealer if something is wrong. We speak often about implements, brands, and how to use them. He is currently looking for pallet forks.

Squirrel moment: My brother first car, a small Geo Metro, I asked him one morning "When was the last time you checked the oil in your car?" He had owned the car for about 3 months at this point.
His response: "My car doesn't take oil." .... :confused2:
Apparently, he couldn't find the dip stick, the large yellow ring sticking up with 'OIL' written on it, so his car simply didn't need oil to run.... :mur:

But I digress. Mechanics are not for everyone. Make friends with a mechanic (or someone who is mechanically inclined) to help you with the easier stuff. Utilize your dealer, even if you bought it used, go speak to you local dealer about services, parts, and prices. Utilize this forum. There is a HUGE wealth of knowledge here, and most here are more than willing to give their two cents. I certainly do.

Take photos, especially if something is wrong, or you think it is wrong. If you cannot identify something, snap a photo and upload it. Seriously, the only stupid question is the one not asked.

Before long, you will be passing along advise to new tractor owners too. Because you will have "been there, done that" and know the answer.

Also, check out my YouTube channel. Its been a while, but I have a series on there just for new tractor owners who are in your boat. Its good content. See signature line for my channel.

Good luck, stay safe, and be active on here.

 

[bnew17]

Hello and welcome to tbn.

First port of call READ THE MANUAL. I assume you bought a new tractor, it comes with a manual. If it is used then go online to find a supplier of manuals.
What make of tractor do you have?

Remember, EVERYONE was a learner at some point. Don't hesitate to ask. In time you will be helping other newbys.

Someone sent me a manual online, but I should have the physical copy of the manual in the mail today. THe previous owner is mailing it to me.