Newbie question- Pre-start checklist

[GolfGolf]

New tractor owner with questions.

Bought a 2007 Farmtrac 535 with bush hog and box blade

The guy I bought it from said I should do the following before each start:

1. Clear/drain fuel filters
2. Check oil level
3. Check Transmission level
4. Check hydraulic levels (tractor and attachments)
5. And of course check fuel gauge

Anything else? Is this good enough or do I need to do more?

Thanks in advance

 

[Soundguy]

It's never wasted time to check oil levels on sticks... kick tires.. check fuel and drain water traps... I like to look at belts and hoses as well.. I start the mahcine and let it warm and walk around an look for leaks and drips.. etc..

soundguy

 

[mbohuntr]

GolfGolf... you strike me as a true beginner. Good for you! your in for soooo much fun!! Just a couple words of caution.. That machine is a great deal more powerful than anything you can imagine. One of the most common (and FATAL) mistakes is to get off the tractor while the PTO is spinning, or let anyone near it for that matter. Don't force things, if the tractor doesn't lift, move it, or turn it on, there is something wrong. Breaking the impliment is the least thing that will happen. Lastly, watch out for hillsides, go up or down them, not sideways. Leave the ROPS on. That thing will roll over quickly and usually fatally. Have a ball! Many of us have a lifetime on these things and love to help!

 

[Thomas]

Great advice so far but less not forget about the operator,check for loose clothes/boot strings etc. which may get caught while operating tractor fuctions.

 

[patrick_g]

Great advice so far but less not forget about the operator,check for loose clothes/boot strings etc. which may get caught while operating tractor fuctions.

AMEN to that Thomas! I thought I was being oh so safe BUT... a long dangling drawstring of the lightweight hooded jacket I was wearing snagged and nearly caused a big problem.

Take the time to be sure YOU don't have any "dangling modifiers" just waiting a chance to surprise you.

Pat

 

[RalphVa]

I usually only check engine oil when I'm blowing it off after bush hogging or shredding. I never check transmission oil level in my tractor or cars (incl. diff.) unless I see some oil leaks. It's getting extremely rare to see oil leaks in modern equipment. I check coolant level when the hood is up to check the oil. Of course, I'm always eyeballing the fuel gauge.

Yes, look at the tires. Apart from that, just jump on, glow it, push throttle lever some if really cold and start. Treat gently when cold for the first few minutes. I often have to use a broom to brush away mud left from the tracks after I take it out. Let it sit and idle while I'm doing that.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

ditto on the safety info..

stay away from rotating shafts.. and maintain the plastic sleaves on your rotating shafts and make sure they freely rotate and are chained for safety.

( all good info so far! )

soundguy

 

[kebo]

New tractor owner with questions.

Bought a 2007 Farmtrac 535 with bush hog and box blade

The guy I bought it from said I should do the following before each start:

1. Clear/drain fuel filters


Anything else? Is this good enough or do I need to do more?

Thanks in advance

I'm confused about #1 there. Would that not put air in the fuel line??

 

[woodyacres]

Ok... Now, I am nervous. I have almost 50 hours on my machine and I have never checked anything but the fuel level. I didn't even know I had to check for water in the filter, before every start. I need a new dealer! Thanks for the suggestion Coobie.

I was going to check all that at my 50 hour service. Maybe I will check tomorrow.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm confused about #1 there. Would that not put air in the fuel line??

I'm pretty sure he's refering to a water trap sediment bowl and/or a filte rthat has a water seperator inthe bottom of it.

my big diesel has 3 seperate water traps.. one by itself, one on a sediment bowl, and one inthe filter assembly.

soundguy