Lessons learned by the new guy

[johndeere2210]

Fortunately THIS DID NOT happen to me. We have a customer who is a neat freak (not bad to be) to the point that he washes his tractor after every use. On one occasion after running his 4100 with a rear tiller for four straight hours, he brought the tractor to his washing area, raised the hood, and proceeded to wash the tractor. When he was done washing, it would not start. Several days later and a new injection pump the tractor was running again. He learned the hard way that cold water and warm injection pumps do not mix.

 

[hitekcountry]

I discovered tractors and fences don't get along. To date it’s tractors 5 fences 0.

 

[Dartagnan]

When back filling utility trenches that were full of water, let them set a few days before trying to "pack it down" by driving er.... operating the tractor on it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Dropped the right side straight down to the axles.

Dart

 

[gsgator]

As another newbie, I've learned not to use other people's "diesel" fuel cans without smelling first. This lesson was learned after two mouthfulls of dieseline from siphoning out the bad fuel. Luckily I noticed the smell after filling my tank, before starting the engine, no damage was done to my new tractor!!

 

[DirtHauler]

Yeah, it's amazing how many and how fast you can remove those pickits from your wifes garden fence with that FEL! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[tractor_kid]

Here's one, when someone says they hooked up an implament, dont assume they did it right, i now always check my work, funny how something goes wrong the one time you dont look.

here's another one I learned on my first pool dig last summer, when digging pool dont forget to leave a way out /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

when loading manure with a bobcat, stop and re- think how bad you want to move the manure, cause by the end of the day you will be eating it.

also when loading manure with any tractor with a front radiator dont forget about washing it off ever 30 min. cause they get hot.

when driving tractor with implament dont forget to put anti-sway pins in, cause you will be buying new tires by the end of the day

thats enough for now, my list is too big, lol /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[davep]

I was going to post my "new guy" experiences - but most are already covered in this thread.

Fortunately, I discovered that ducking under a low branch doesn't work - the ROPS just brought the branch down on me -- before the ROPS and the guy wire for the electricity pole did battle.

A few lessons I did learn ...

Buy a bag a shear bolts when you buy the Brush Hog -- save a trip to Agri-supply. I sheared a bolt within half an hour.

Buy a clevis with the drag harrow - it doesn't attach to the tractor with a lynch pin. (save a trip to ...)

The lynch pin that attaches the top link of the 3ph to the implement (and isn't supplied with either the tractor or the implement) is 3/4 inch NOT 7/8 inch like the lower linkages. (save a trip ...)

As I have read, FELs are addictive. Most valuable use so far: getting the other new implements off the truck - but you need a chain.

My tractor has an easy attachment mechanism on the 3ph that extends the lower arms a few inches so that you can fit the implement without having to get the positioning exactly right. I didn't think much of it when I bought the tractor, but having now attempted hitch up several heavy implements, I think it's priceless. It must be really difficult without this gizmo.

Oh -- and I have learnt that tractors ARE dangerous.. I got a nasty paper cut off the operator's manual.

Dave

 

[Red_rider]

Some you may not want to admit.....
Don't drive across the yard resting your hand on the joystick for the FEL - especially with the tooth bar on. (Wife to you) What's wrong with the grass in the front yard????
Don't make the mistake of letting the wife learn how easy it is to drive the tractor and use the FEL = loss of seat time.
Don't forget the auxilary lights you mounted on the ROPS - they might end up hitting you in the back of the head if you're driving through the woods (happened to a guy I know). /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Place a sticker on the dashboard to remind you about the parking brake - tractors don't come with idiot lights! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Wannafish]

"Place a sticker on the dashboard to remind you about the parking brake - tractors don't come with idiot lights!"

Mine has an idiot light for the p. brake and I STILL forget to release it. I think a sticker would just confuse me more (if that's possible).

 

[RickW]

I've been a city guy all my life, but just recently bought 45 acres in the CA wine country that we're going to be building a house on (probably in the next 2-3 years). I just bought my first tractor and have lots to learn. I came across TBN several months ago, and have been soaking up everything I can. I'm very impressed with the quality of the forum, and just wanted to thank you all for all the help you have given me already. I particularly like threads like "Lessons learned by the new guy".

I'm pretty timid at getting started, but am really anxious to start using my tractor for fun, and also to accomplish things around the new property (gentle hills). I've got some roads to widen and maintain, brush to mow, and I'm sure lots of other things I don't even know about yet.

Thanks to all!!

I still have to learn all the abbreviations, but I've got a JD 4720 that was a Harvest Rental with 72 hours on it, an MX6 mower, and a 73" Land Pride Box Scraper.