IF You are a Tractor Operator in your ROOKIE Season.

[AxleHub]

Greetings,

If you are in your Rookie 1st Season as a tractor owner/operator then this thread should be for you.

Lets start by me saying I'm not a know-it-all . . . I'm a know-it-not-enough. I'm not one of those that is afraid to experiment or push the edges . . but I'm old enough to know that smart thinking will help kerp all my bodily appendages attached and complete.

Long time operators have great experiences to share . . . but too often its been awhile since they did something dumb and their emotional memory of the event or panic may fade.

I'm hoping otherscwill jump in with their stories of recent errors . . maybe even typing with still shaking hands.

The word "woose" (sp ??) or "too timid" doesn't belong here. Why? Because you can't dance like john travolta if you crush your foot. You can't "run the machine" if you're in traction or your unit is being pieced back together at the dealer's surgery unit and frame straightening area.

So I'll begin.

 

[AxleHub]

If your tractor has a seat belt . . wear it.

Just today I was carrying a heavy load pallet down an incline. Slight rain on the grass and me . . going real slow. All wheels contacting ground. Pallet not far off of ground.

Suddenly a mild teeter totter motion started. I had my seat belt on. The teeter totter motion would have caused me to rock up off the seat a bit which of corse would have caused the safety shutoff to off-on-off-on the engine which would have really increased the teeter totter effect to bad levels. But, but, butt stayed in seat because the seat belt didn't let me move out if it. So the right got a little "bronco" but I could regain control.

I don't like seat belts . . but I dislike damaging me or my new tractir more. If you think you can be safe without it on and hooked up . . I don't think you're impressing me or anyone else. Wear it. Especially when you're on inclines, ir carring weight, or feeling invulnerable. As heck . . wear it all the time and show people you're tough enough to survive.

 

[Rustyferrious]

I wear the belt all the time, but I wished the manufacturer's would design a latching system that works better with thick work gloves. I'm constantly taking gloves off to latch/unlatch the belt.

 

[AxleHub]

I wear the belt all the time, but I wished the manufacturer's would design a latching system that works better with thick work gloves. I'm constantly taking gloves off to latch/unlatch the belt.

I've noticed that there are different types of belts on differentbtractors. My Massey has a seat belt like a Subaru Outback. It isn't bad with gloves on and quite retractable. But the click is hard to hear or feel when its windy. Also . . Its in a fixed position on the tractor . . If I didnt want the seat far back . . and I wanted ut closer to the steering wheel . . It mught be a but tight.

 

[AxleHub]

If this is your Rookie season . . you may wonder what I mwan by that.

Simple. I'm not defining it by what else you've used or driven . If it was skidsteers . . you're re still a rookie. If uts lawn and garden tractors . . still a rookie.

Why that definition? Because tractors of all suzes have a different leverage situation and a different center of gravity than other equipment.

An example: Let's say you are manually placing some kind of concrete block or brick in a raised bucket or raised forks/pallet supported platform. If you pile em up good and the tractor is on even the slightest of side hill . . If your load is elevated when you go to get on the tractor you can cause some tipping of the tractor. Not possible you say? Oh yes it is unless the load is light and the tractor very large . . Because a quantity load extended in the front fel area alters your center of gravity. So then on even a slight side incline a person getting on from that side can make a rear tire "light". I did it twice today. Whats the solution? Simple . . Just slowly lower the fel down to the ground and then, get on the tractor. Now its no sweat to raise the load and move the tractor because you are no longer exerting side force by getting on.

 

[AxleHub]

As a motorcycler in my earlier days . . My riding time was often early spring and later fall. I learned a couple of important lessons. Wet leaves are NEVER your friend . . . They act like a lubricant to reduce traction greatly.

Well just today that reminder became very important. A light rain on grass reduces traction a little . . but hey . . we're talking a 4wd tractir right? Same rule applies . . . its niq fall and that means the start of leaves on grass. AND SURE ENOUGH , my biking lessons of years ago came back.

I noticed those wet keaves acting as a sliding potential between wet grass and tires . . I slowed down just at a good time as the hydrostatic drive wasn't slowing me down so good and the brake was not being so super effective either .

My point is . . Its our rookie season. Driving on dry grass and regular gravel and dirt is now changing for many to still new slippery leaves and new traction conditions. The goal is . . No spinouts or loss of traction . . We all look better for the holidays if we aren't wearing casts or slings on our arms lol.

 

[100 td]

While I have experience on underground LHD loaders, surface loaders, backhoes, cranes, skidsteers, excavators, & forklifts, larger tractor/FEL, I'm still a rookie on my "new to me" B21 Kubota (FEL/BH). Each and every piece of equipment you operate deserves the same attention and hours learning it's particular quirks, centre of gravity, stopping power, balance point etc.
One thing to note, when going down an incline with a load on, you have far greater control and braking when going down in reverse and you won't get the teeter totter effect.

 

[paulfun9]

While I have experience on underground LHD loaders, surface loaders, backhoes, cranes, skidsteers, excavators, & forklifts, larger tractor/FEL, I'm still a rookie on my "new to me" B21 Kubota (FEL/BH). Each and every piece of equipment you operate deserves the same attention and hours learning it's particular quirks, centre of gravity, stopping power, balance point etc.
One thing to note, when going down an incline with a load on, you have far greater control and braking when going down in reverse and you won't get the teeter totter effect.

Just about every owners manual I have seen gives clear instruction on how to traverse hills. Still many people seem to think 4wheel drive is a cure all for traction on hills and don't heed the instruction. Its still not safe just because one has 4x4 and it puts more stress on the front axel than it was designed for.

 

[AxleHub]

One thing to note, when going down an incline with a load on, you have far greater control and braking when going down in reverse and you won't get the teeter totter effect.

In my activity yesterday . . . the tempting potential to go down the incline at an "angle to the angle" was there because its starting to rain and its still full daylught but its getting to the end of the day . . . was in full temptation. Fortunately . . I didn't cave into temptation because because the teeter tootter effect is an abrupt and sudden isdue to start with . . But if you're at an (even small) angle left to right . . . It can cause you to "spin" sideways which is even worse and come out of the seat if no seat belt.

Rural and suburban residential living isn't "supposed to be" potentially dangerous . . . so operators can let their guard down. We get thinking "I'm not operating a corn pucker or hay bine" so this is not a big deal . . and it is.

 

[AxleHub]

If wives and girlfriends ever knew.

Wouldn't that be the issue ? We're not talking 007 stuff. Its the things that "happen" or "almost happen" running a tractor or building a house or remodeling or or or . . . we'd all get grounded or yelled at or both by spouses if they knew. At the end of the day they want us coming home with all ten fingers still attached and all four limbs still straight. Its no wonder so many farmers used to get hurt because
You can't live in a cocoon and you can't get hurt . . Its a balancing act.