New tractor owner- do' and dont's?

[Wile E Kioti]

Looking for helpful tips, i.e., do's and don'ts, for a first time tractor owner and operator; I am a complete novice! My new Kioti CK30 HST TLB is being delivered tomorrow and I would appreciate any sage advice from the experienced and the newly initiated among you. Thanks.

 

[murphy1244]

Always check oil levels before starting.

 

[flusher]

Check oil level, hydraulic fluid level.
Buckle your seat belt.
You backhoe is for digging; the FEL is for scooping. Be careful when you use the FEL for digging--you can twist the FEL arms if you're not careful.
Read the operator manual carefully until you understand all about your tractor.
If you plan to keep the tractor for more than 3 years, get the service and parts manuals.
Most tractor tool boxes are dinky--think about getting a larger one that holds things like a can of grease (for PTO splines and 3 pt hitch pins), large hammer, large crescent wrench, screw drivers, lynch pins, etc.

Good luck

 

[Hollow]

First off, welcome and congradulations! What will you be using the tractor for? What attachments will you be using?

 

[/pine]

"low and slow" when moving anything or operating on uneven terrain...

Good luck...and happy tractoring..

 

[murphy1244]

Check oil level, hydraulic fluid level.
Buckle your seat belt.
You backhoe is for digging; the FEL is for scooping. Be careful when you use the FEL for digging--you can twist the FEL arms if you're not careful.
Read the operator manual carefully until you understand all about your tractor.
If you plan to keep the tractor for more than 3 years, get the service and parts manuals.
Most tractor tool boxes are dinky--think about getting a larger one that holds things like a can of grease (for PTO splines and 3 pt hitch pins), large hammer, large crescent wrench, screw drivers, lynch pins, etc.

Good luck

That's the first thing I added was a much larger Tool Box.

 

[jerrybob]

Check this out...........

http://www.gemplers.com/docs/tailgate-training-tip-sheets/53-tractor-safety-en.pdf

 

[creekbend]

First and foremost - read the Operator's Manual, front and back. Then check all the fluids and grease all the zerks, plus check the fuel tank. Rest assured that these things can be overlooked at the dealer before delivery. BTW, Congratulations and best wishes.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Do take a picture and post it.
Don't ever say, "Honey, watch this!"
Do keep a maintenance log.
Don't assume you're far enough away from the garage and you won't hit it with the FEL/3pt/ROPS.
Do make friends with your neighbor who also has a tractor so he can pull you out.
Don't carry your chainsaw in the FEL.
Do take the time to research the best way to deliver fuel into your toy.
Don't put gasoline into your yellow diesel container.
Do mount a fire extinguisher somewhere.
Don't buy a chain that is so long and heavy you can hardly pick it up.
Do learn the tricks of hooking and unhooking 3 pt attachments.
Don't assume the wheel nuts are all tightened at the factory.
Do pay attention to the nuances of attaching to and releasing your grease gun hose from zerks.
Don't ignore the extreme advantages of installing a tooth bar.
Do fill the rear tires with liquid. The amount of work a tractor can do is directly proportional to its weight.

 

[Ted Summey]

Don't let this forum be the only source for advice. Your dealer, neighbors and friends with tractors and experienced equipment operators are good sources. Weigh the advice you do get against common sense. Some will be great and some will be off the wall.

The previous posts ARE good advice.

Here are a few of my suggestions

Read, read and read more about tractors and how to use them. This includes the operator's manual.
As Norm says, "know and follow your safety procedures."
Be observant and watch other operators. You will see good and bad. Learn the difference.
Check out youtube for videos there will be good and bad, learn the difference
Don't get in a hurry. Being in a hurry causes accidents.
Pay attention to the center of gravity of your tractor. Ballast in the tires will make a difference
Instruct those around the operting tractor about the safety practices
Take your time to break the tractor in. Avoid high throttle levels and extended throttle settings for the first 10 or 20 hours or whatever your manual says
If it breaks, gets loose, leaks or bends - fix it as soon as you can. Issues become cumulative
If something doesn't seem right, shut it down and investigate
Fix the brakes BOTH brakes, don't rely on one if one has quit working
Grease it before it squeaks if it squeaks it is past time
Follow the maintenance intervals - you can't over maintain but you can over service

 

[stub]

Don't ever read the Attachments or Build It Yourself sections on TBN. I will cost you a lot of $$$.

 

[TripleR]

Man, I got here too late to add anything not already covered. I always get the manual before delivery and go through it two or three time then again the initial use; sometimes I might just browse through it on a day I can't get out. There are LOTS of useful threads on here about FEL and other equipment use as well as projects etc.

Like in so many other things, real problems happen just about the time you "think" you know what you are doing and get complacent or over confident.

 

[oldballs]

Concerning the Owner's Manual, reread it occasionally and as things come up. I've found that, "Gosh, I never noticed that before".

 

[coveredbridge]

Best advice I could give you is DON'T EVER GET IN A HURRY. That's when you do something stupid that could get someone seriously hurt or killed. New equipment has a variety of safety features, but these machines are still extremely powerful and have dozens of ways to seriously injure their operators if safety isn't always foremost in your mind. TAKE YOUR TIME AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING BEFORE YOU DO IT.

Now enjoy your new machine. You'll soon wonder what you ever did without it.

 

[GManBart]

When the bucket is loaded, keep it as low as possible. For lifting anything heavy with the loader, you need loaded rear tires, or a counterweight on the 3pt (or both). Go up and down hills, not across them....tractor roll overs are the most common form of death involving tractors (i.e. wear your seatbelt, and keep the ROPS in the raised position). Take your time. Of all the bolts and nuts on the tractor, check the wheel lugs, and loader attaching bolts regularly until you're sure they've settled in, and aren't loosening up periodically.

 

[Mark Page]

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge. Running a diesel out of fuel is a major PITA.
Don't trust your fuel gauge until you get a feel for it.
When in doubt slow down or stop.
Beware of gettin your clothing caught up in the pedals.
Weight is a good thing.
Stop and think before using your loader.
Keep your fuel filters clean.

You've gotten some good advice above, remember, most of it came from personal experience.

 

[riptides]

Don't work when your tired.

 

[texasjohn]

Man, this could be a "sticky" thread!

All I can add is that you should reread once a week for at least 6 months and choose one item to do/practice/check that week.

 

[heviduty]

Most tractors don't have front wheel brakes. If you have 4wd, use it, especially when using the FEL. Only disengage when travelling on pavement.

 

[City Farmer]

Everything has just about been covered but I'll add my $.02.
1) Don't EVER lend it out! 2) If the loader can't pick it up, Don't try picking it up with the BH bucket with the stabilizers up. I told a buddy not do this with a huge rock between the bucket and thumb, now both sides of the axle are leaking fluid. I'm thinking he bent the axle. The BH can pick up a lot more than the loader can.