From which side do you mount your tractor?

[Baby Grand]

I always saddle up from the left.
Don't never want to spook the tractor!

 

[andrehoude123]

On my l45 I mostly get on the left side but if I'm on the right side I'll get on my there I'm young and don't mind jumping on and squeezing thru! But the left side is much easier because there is a step and nothing in the way

 

[Guesseral]

On my old school fords I almost always exited and mounted from the right side but I also did the left when it was more convenient all depended on the circumstances because both sides were made equal. But on the new tractor with the loader controls I most likely use the left side, although I do use the right if it is more convenient because there is also a step on that side, I just have to be carful. Come to think of it I always or at least 99% of the time do the left side on the old ford 621 with the FEL because well my petite and slim body just don't want to clear the loader controls for some reason!:confused3:

 

[GeneD14]

On my m95 I climb in from the left side because the loader joy stick blocks the right side. On my Allis 185 the steps are on the left side so that is the easiest side to climb up on.

 

[TerryR]

Hardly a poor design if the controls are placed so they are within comfortable reach of a seated operator.

The controls on my tractor are all in easy reach and still don't block entry/exit from either side. Seems like the inability to achieve that is a poor design to me.

I see many excavators use a control pod that swings back for operator exit, but clearly, based on what I have, that's not needed for tractors.

Terry

 

[orezok]

Quick historic note: The sword & scabbard is worn on the left (again, a shield is carried on the left arm) and would tangle you up if you mounted the horse from the other side. = traditional training.

PS: Don't get me started on "but what if I'm left-handed?" It doesn't matter. The right hand was the 'weapon' hand... it's why we shake hands (or salute) with our right hand = shows that we can be trusted as we're not holding a weapon. (Lefties were therefore always distrusted)

An interesting anecdote on "salute". An old Marine once told me that saluting originated in medieval times when full body armor was worn. With the face being covered by a shield, you could not determine friend from foe, It became standard practice to raise your face shield with your right (sword) hand to show your face to another, thus the "salute".

 

[Zebrafive]

Only on the left on the JD 2030, the loader joystick completely blocks access from the right. Mostly on the left on JD 6415. The loader joystick is in the way for right side mount, dismount, but can be squeezed by if needed. It did not come with the steps or grab handle on the right side, but I added them.

 

[Bob77064]

Left side because I took off the right side step and mounted a toolbox.

 

[Wagtail]

An interesting anecdote on "salute". An old Marine once told me that saluting originated in medieval times when full body armor was worn. With the face being covered by a shield, you could not determine friend from foe, It became standard practice to raise your face shield with your right (sword) hand to show your face to another, thus the "salute".

And that old Marine is correct. Raising the visor not only allowed indentification but left the 'raiser' vulnerable. The traditional 'Army' salute of an open palm faced outward further demonstates that there is no weapon being held. I have no idea when the US Army ceased that practice... opting for the Naval salute. :confused3:

 

[RickB]

The controls on my tractor are all in easy reach and still don't block entry/exit from either side. Seems like the inability to achieve that is a poor design to me.

I see many excavators use a control pod that swings back for operator exit, but clearly, based on what I have, that's not needed for tractors.

Terry

Loader controls typically are the impedement to RH side access. I see the tractor in your avatar has no loader.

 

[TerryR]

Loader controls typically are the impedement to RH side access. I see the tractor in your avatar has no loader.

The loader is removed for mowing in that photo, but I have one, and the controls are indeed on the right side. But they are properly placed so they don't get in the way of entering or exiting on that side, but are still in very easy reach. I don't understand why it's hard for other designers to do that.

The only time anything is in the way on that side is when I'm doing tree trimming, and have my tree saw mounted in the rack JD thoughtfully placed at the top of the loader mount arm (otherwise known as the release lever for dismounting the loader) - saw itself extends into the entry/exit space.

Terry

 

[k0ua]

My tractor has steps and handles on both side, and a wide floor with lots of foot room. But still there are hydro pedals and a Loader control you could get tangled up in if you were negligent on the right side. So I get on the tractor on the left side about 90% of the time.. But I do get on and off on the right when it is required, as in for instance the left side is blocked for some reason. It is not a big problem to do, but it is just easier to get on and off on the Left.

James K0UA

 

[OldMcDonald]

I wonder if the problem with the loader lever on, it appears, many tractors, is because it is not a "normal" attachment on most of the world's agricultural tractors and so the designers do not consider it. I appreciate that it seems almost everyone in the US has a FEL, but I have not had one since 1979. Even then I could have got by without it, but the S/H tractor I bought had one fitted. It seems that all the farmers I knew in England, Australia, Scotland and now Portugal have no need for FEL's either. Those who have uses for one tend to have a dedicated machine, from Bobcats upwards.

 

[Sysop]

I would say that is accurate. Tractors are designed to be versatile. Installing an FEL is just one of many customizations that can be performed to suit a user's needs. The FEL may not even be made by the same company as the tractor in many cases. How the operator's station is laid out is more important than whether you can mount and dismount the tractor from both sides. Virtually all "fully loaded" tractors entrance and exit is limited to one side, nearly always the left side (can't think of one otherwise). FEL controls are just one of the many things that can limit this space. Side mount slope flails generally obstruct this area as well.

 

[RickB]

RH cab doors are non-existent or optional on some tractors.

 

[HillStreet]

Always from the left side on my Kubota, and always have the brake set when getting off.

 

[LouieJunior]

Now wondering if there are "left-handed" tractors, like shotguns, with FEL controls on the left?

 

[arlen4720]

Tractors are like horses....always mount from the left.

 

[RaydaKub]

Now wondering if there are "left-handed" tractors, like shotguns, with FEL controls on the left?

That makes 3 of us asking that, but so far no answers.

 

[econometrics]

85% of the time, I jump on from the port side.

Mounting / dismounting on the starboard side on my old 5103 was pretty easy. However, since owning my 5075E, I have noticed that I usually bump one of two controls when climbing off starboard - the throttle - whilst trying to avoid bumping the loader controls, or the loader controls themselves.