What were your avoidable mistakes?

dmftoy1 · Dec 21, 2004

Fold the ROPS before driving into the garage. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (unless you have a very tall garage door)

If you have a very tall garage door . .make sure it's fully up when driving in with the ROPS up. (learned the hard way /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Have a good one,
Dave

Blee · Dec 21, 2004

Wow! I just stumbled in here 'cause I thought I had deleted this discussion (certainly glad it didn't happen). Excellent advice.

Thank you all for the cautions on the accidents -- perhaps my trepidation comes from being a flight paramedic for many years and I see the results of errors often; I just need to know how to AVOID them!

I have been studying this site and others as well as my owner's manuals (my dealer has already given me some.)

One person said to get a T&T as soon as possible -- what is a T&T?

I am getting the upgraded alternator (I have vision issues). Also, what is the case for a 72" MMM? Is it worth the price increase vs. 20% more cutting width? It is not too late for me to amend the order. How much should the difference be?

btw, it is a Kubota B7800.

Thanks,
Blee

Henro · Dec 21, 2004

One person said to get a T&T as soon as possible -- what is a T&T?

I am getting the upgraded alternator (I have vision issues). Also, what is the case for a 72" MMM? Is it worth the price increase vs. 20% more cutting width? It is not too late for me to amend the order. How much should the difference be?

T&T is top and tilt capability for the 3PH. It is generally a hydraulic cylinder in place of the top link and a second as one of the lift rods. Lets you make angle adjustments without having to get off the tractor (or stretch too much) and on the fly as well.

A wider mower, whether MMM or RFM lets you cut closer(at least easier) to things than a narrower mower will...all else being equal.

Way it works for me anyway... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Merlin1 · Dec 21, 2004

What BCZOOM said. Read those threads and you will learn from a ton of mistakes we have made so you too not tread on the perilous ground others have walked before you.

riptides · Dec 21, 2004

Go read the safety forum. Owning and operating/generic forum is chalk full of keepers too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Flight Paramedic? AirCare1? Who?

PM me if you must....

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

aloha · Dec 22, 2004

You had 2 responses saying to use the parking brake. My take on this with the B7800 is don't trust the parking brake . I consider the brake to be one of the design weaknesses of the model and always put the bucket and whatever is on the back on the ground as an anchor. If the bucket is empty and there is any incline, I will generally embed the teeth of the toothbar for security.

Be alert. Know your terrain. My most frightening tractor moments have been twice in the past month discovering that what looked like solid level ground had a soft spot that a rear wheel has dropped in.

Take a look at First Rollover!! and Rollover-Layover Resolution .

LBrown59 · Dec 22, 2004

( You guys have really haleped me a lot in my purchase of my B7800 (delivery 29 Dec). I do not have a lot of "tractor friends" and was wondering what is your best advice to a new tractor operator? )

Read all the post on the board you can.

LBrown59 · Dec 22, 2004

did you know if your rear tires were frozen to the ground, it is possible for the tractor to flip over backwards when you try to move forwards? Surprised me when I learned that...
================
Anything that will prevent the rear wheels from rotating forward can cause the tractor to rotate around the rear axle when power is applied in a forward gear.

PowerMax · Dec 22, 2004

( Also, what is the case for a 72" MMM? Is it worth the price increase vs. 20% more cutting width? It is not too late for me to amend the order. How much should the difference be?
)

It depends on your yard and terrain. For me, the 60" MMM was the right choice for my B2910. I have a lot undulating surfaces, swails and banks to mow. I think the 72" would really scalp a lot of areas in my yard. I also have a lot of trees and other narrow places that I need to fit through.

The 48" brush hog has also worked out very well for me - again dependent upon your own personal needs. The 60" loader bucket has worked out well for me.

Oh ... and ditto on the releasing of the parking brake. I have inadvertently left mine on a few times. That really ticks me off when I do that. Fortunately, I haven't done it in a while.

After some seat time, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Good luck and have fun!

Jeff