Deere4320,
You had a question about removing something... think you may have been asking about the FEL. No, I wouldn't remove it for this job. The comment about keeping it low is for protection from that unseen stump or whatever. Better to hit it with the FEL than have it hit a front axle or whatever. I do that even on my own place when the grass is high because you never know what may end up in the field (I have some crazy neighbors).
It doesn't replace the need to walk the field and check other ways but is just another precaution.
Keeping the bucket low is also good on hills because it reduces the risk of roll over. When I do this I run with it just a bit below the axles and such on the tractor. Too low and you will have it in the dirt from time to time on uneven ground.
I ran a small 4 cyl gas dozer one summer with my dad when I was about your age. He got a backhoe job putting in water pipe for the water district (actually just 1 guy!) near us. I didn't have much experience on the equipment at the time but I grew up in the country and like the others have said you learn things at an early age. But I didn't get to keep the money. It was just part of helping dad. It was great! Even got to do some blasting when we hit some big rocks!
I only made one mistake that I remember. I was backfilling the ditch and hit what I thought was a rock. So I just backed off and hit it again without checking. Turned out it was another water line coupling that was just under the surface (was supposed to be at least 2 ft down). Busted the coupling and had a water fountian! 4 or 6 in pipe. Luckily nobody else expected the line there either so we just fixed it. Live and learn.
If something doesn't look right check it out. Keep an eye out for stuff in the grass where you will be cutting your next pass too.
Do a good job for a fair price and word will spread. You have a good attitude and are asking the right questions. It's great to see a young man like you doing this!
Good luck.
You had a question about removing something... think you may have been asking about the FEL. No, I wouldn't remove it for this job. The comment about keeping it low is for protection from that unseen stump or whatever. Better to hit it with the FEL than have it hit a front axle or whatever. I do that even on my own place when the grass is high because you never know what may end up in the field (I have some crazy neighbors).
It doesn't replace the need to walk the field and check other ways but is just another precaution.
Keeping the bucket low is also good on hills because it reduces the risk of roll over. When I do this I run with it just a bit below the axles and such on the tractor. Too low and you will have it in the dirt from time to time on uneven ground.
I ran a small 4 cyl gas dozer one summer with my dad when I was about your age. He got a backhoe job putting in water pipe for the water district (actually just 1 guy!) near us. I didn't have much experience on the equipment at the time but I grew up in the country and like the others have said you learn things at an early age. But I didn't get to keep the money. It was just part of helping dad. It was great! Even got to do some blasting when we hit some big rocks!
I only made one mistake that I remember. I was backfilling the ditch and hit what I thought was a rock. So I just backed off and hit it again without checking. Turned out it was another water line coupling that was just under the surface (was supposed to be at least 2 ft down). Busted the coupling and had a water fountian! 4 or 6 in pipe. Luckily nobody else expected the line there either so we just fixed it. Live and learn.If something doesn't look right check it out. Keep an eye out for stuff in the grass where you will be cutting your next pass too.
Do a good job for a fair price and word will spread. You have a good attitude and are asking the right questions. It's great to see a young man like you doing this!
Good luck.
