Reading the Owners Manuals

[tibadoe]

It's snowing out, stuck inside this morning. Just wondering if anyone else reads thru product Owners Manuals??? I kind of enjoy reading through them. I usually try to download them and go through it before purchase. Mainly I want an overview of what break-in & maintenance schedules will be like. Maybe I will be surprised of some cool features I did not know about. Most times, there is always something I learn that I did not know. Even though most OMs are thick, they all seem stuffed with "warnings" and "cautions" of what stupid things not to do. I find if you have some common sense, reading through one is quick, painless, and most times productive.

I was disappointed that I could not find a free pdf manual for my MF before purchase. I just finished reading through the hardcopy and picked up a few pieces of good info. Think I also looked at every review and 50 hour service video on YouTube. Service on this machine will be a breeze. Now to finish up reading the Kodiak ATV manual and decide whether or it would make a good addition to the fleet.

 

[ruffdog]

I agree that paging through a service manual pre-purchase would give you a heads-up on maintenance procedures and operation. My wife and I both went through the operation manual for our toolcat once we bought it. I had a service code come on and I went to the house and had her write it down. On her own, she remembered seeing the codes in the manual and found it by the time I came in. Yeah, she's a keeper.

 

[Thomas]

I've notice in the troubleshooter section not as many causes to look for help compare to 10-15 years ago,maybe tractor are better built or more complexed. :confused3:

 

[ruffdog]

I've notice in the troubleshooter section not as many causes to look for help compare to 10-15 years ago,maybe tractor are better built or more complexed. :confused3:

Very little adjusting or repairing components anymore......just replace parts.

 

[RickB]

Op manuals used to give detailed instructions for things like valve adjustments. Now they warn about drinking battery acid. If you wonder why just spend a half hour at your local Walmart or Dollar General.

 

[jaydee325]

A while back, I took a part time retirement gig at the local motorcycle shop in the parts department. Initially, I was checking in parts and putting them on the shelf. Eventually, they had me answering the phone and attending the counter. That was a shock! I was amazed at how many people are absolutely clueless. Ask them for a year or model and you get a blank stare. VIN numbers were almost never able to be supplied. Then you had people calling for parts for a brand the dealership did not handle.

So, I conclude those that read the manuals are in the minority! I sometimes wonder how people even survive life. It's sad.

 

[tibadoe]

Op manuals used to give detailed instructions for things like valve adjustments. Now they warn about drinking battery acid. If you wonder why just spend a half hour at your local Walmart or Dollar General.

This is the truth.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The older owners manuals were so full of good information. Most usually had a wiring diagram. So useful while trouble shooting.

 

[/pine]

I'll take "what is the thing to do when all else fails?" for $200 Alex...

(sorry couldn't resist...RIP A.T.)

 

[rademamj1]

I have read about six operator manuals the past year from different manufacturers, due to having more free time because of this pandemic. All of them are quite similar. First 30 pages is filled with safety warnings, pictures of safety warnings and locations of the safety warnings. I enjoy the specifications chapters. The chapters on 3pt hitch are the same regardless of manufacturer. But it's the Tier4 emmissions summary I like best, and these range from the incredibly detailed to the incredibly evasive.

I think much of what we considered necessary information years ago, has been moved to the Service or Workshop manuals. Parts listings and diagrams, valve clearances, wiring diagrams, and detailed emmission flow charts.

 

[mcfarmall]

I found one online a year before I got my tractor and knew far more about the unit than my salesman. When I took delivery everything was familiar.

 

[PILOON]

Shortly after getting my Kia Serento I read the owner's manual cover to cover.

I later discovered features* on my car that were not even mentioned in that manual, and it is VERY thick!
Plus missing instructions for pairing cell phones and other devices.

Lot's of cautions however so I guess a lawyer wrote it.

* like:
Lock/unlock button in the front door handles.
Emergency starting if key fob is dead.

I later even discovered that you can not lock the car with the key fob inside.
Also what to do should U kill the engine while still selected in 'Drive'.

 

[Cycledude]

A few months ago I bought a new leaf blower, inside the owners manual the dealer had put a card good for 10% off any accessories, well after reading the manual I took the card to the dealer to buy some accessories, dealer seemed surprised when I showed the card, he said apparently no one reads the owners manual we have been putting those cards in the manuals for last two years and your only the second owner that has used it.
Yes I have pretty much read the owners manual for everything I ever bought.

 

[Ortimber]

I really enjoy reading technical manuals. I have numerous pcs. of equipment, and have the operator, parts, and service manuals for each of them.

 

[paulfun9]

Every owners manual that ever came with a purchase I have read!

My wife and family get mad at me because they don’t get to operate anything that has an owners manual until they read it.

 

[MHarryE]

Actually the safety portion is written by customers. The safety alerts mean somebody did that, sued the manufacturer, and the manufacturer lost. So legal tells tech pubs to put an alert in the manual so next time somebody does it I can point to the manual. We will still need to pay damages but the judge will overrule the jury and reduce the amount because we had it in the book. Large companies get large safety sections because a skid steer will have a warning resulting from a mine truck driver getting out of their truck to take a leak letting the truck roll off a cliff and crushing the managers pickup.

But among all that we try to fit in what is really important too, not that the safety stuff isn’t. But it seems like it’s common sense to set the parking brake when you get out to take a leak. And you won’t believe how many kids have climbed on the tractor and turned the key when dad was working on it. So companies usually say to turn off the key and remove it. We first started that at Allis-Chalmers when a 4 year old started a combine, in gear, while dad was in front cleaning it out. Watching her father die in front of her - no way can you win - but you need to warn.

 

[rademamj1]

I found one online a year before I got my tractor and knew far more about the unit than my salesman. When I took delivery everything was familiar.

I wish all manufacturers would value their customers enough to load all operator manuals online for free download. I know Kubota does this for all their tractor lineup. John Deere does not provide for free online user manuals. You get your manual the old fashion way, upon delivery of your tractor.

Interestingly Kioti USA does not provide operator manuals either, but Kioti Australia does provide them all free in PDF format. I know many Kioti US owners have requested the operator manuals to be uploaded, without success.

 

[Wagtail]

I read my Owner Manual (twice), just as 'we' regularly recommend this to every newbie, here on TBN.

--- When my 4105 was delivered (the first tractor I've ever owned or driven) at the end of my driveway and the delivery lorry had departed I turned it on and proceeded to crawl up my driveway. No matter how much I depressed the FWD pedal... until I spotted the turtle<--->rabbit lever.

I learnt so much more that evening and I've pencilled in so many notes (certain bolt sizes/actual fluid levels/etc...) over the years.

 

[jaydee325]

John Deere does not provide for free online user manuals. You get your manual the old fashion way, upon delivery of your tractor.

Not true. I downloaded the OM in PDF from Deere for my X584 for free off - Technical Information Store.

A copy now resides on my computer, my phone, and the hard copy in my file in the shop.

 

[PILOON]

When I got my CUT, Mitsubishi MT180D, I had friends that had dealer access so I was able to purchase SHOP, PARTS and Owner's manuals at dealer cost.
Best $$'s spent, and has served me very well.