A newbie mistake

[EdC]

Way back when I first started posting here (all of three months ago)I wrote something along the lines of why use the parking brake on level ground when you put your tractor to bed. I found out why. We have a fairly steep hill toward the back of our property that I was harvesting rocks from. Drove straight up the hill, parked, put the FEL and scraper blade down and left it in neutral when I turned off the machine. Tractor was nice and solid; did not move an inch. Got the rocks I needed for a landscape wall we are building and set them in the bucket (only needed a few; getting toward the end of this part of the project), got back on the tractor and started it up, raised the scraper and bucket and STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD really quick. Gee who whoulda thought the tractor being in neutral and all.

The hill is steep enough that in the time it took me to lower the FEL and jam on the brake the tractor built up enough momentum to skid about five feet before it slid to a stop. Nobody hurt, nothing damaged, but now I know why you use the parking brake each and every time. Hope this helps some other newer operator.

 

[Thomas]

Morn Ed.
"mistake"...naaaa call it learning experience...for no damage no one hurt.

Some carry wheel block for the rear wheel tire...added safety.

 

[familyman]

You're not the first to do it and I'm sure you won't do it again. After a while, you start thinking about chocking, turning the wheels, neighborhood kids, etc. for anything you own that rolls. Don't ask how I know.

 

[jbrumberg]

I "learned" about not shifting geared tractors on steep slopes . I may in the shallow end of the gene pool- my "learning curve" required two experiences . I am proud of the fact that I used my experiences to correctly shift ranges with my HST going up a very steep incline without a rollback experience . experiences enhance learning. We all have had them. Jay

 

[davidseaquist]

I started my parked tractor in my sloped and steep driveway. It was a Kubota BX 22 with hydrostatic transmission. The parking break was on I released it. The tractor only starts in nuteral . I started it and started backing out of my driveway thinking it was in reverse, it was in nuteral! I tried to back down my driveway when I noticed I was picking up speed quickly. I tried slaming on the breaks the tractor did not slow down, about 20' later I hit a rock with my drivers side rear wheel the tractor fliped on its side on the asphalt driveway. Luckly I was wearing my seat belt and did not get hurt and the tractor was only scrached up.

 

[jbrumberg]

davidseaquist:

Glad only your ego was bruised and the tractor only got some character lines. I bet they serve as a good visual prompt as to how to start your tractor. Accidents seem to happen when one gets a little too comfortable with what they are operating. Jay

 

[DrainPondDesign]

You are not alone,

I wondered how a little pull knob could set the JD 3320 cab model parking brake when I had to press or pull hard on our truck parking brake levers.
The answer was that it doesn't do very much & I doubt if adjusting it would make it work well enough to rely on. Now if I'm off the tractor the bucket & rear impliment are down hard as anchors.