odd ramblings

rsallen · Jul 6, 2013

Going (crawling over) my new-to-me tc30 this weekend odd thoughts and ruminations.

Well I wanted something bigger, but that idea went out the window when I realized a bigger tractor wouldn't fit in most of the places this tractor needs to work. So the 30 is just the right size if somewhat lacking in the power department, shrug I'll do what I've always done in tight spots enre to tools....find someway to make what I have work.
I'm old school, having grown from grade school through high school handling tractors and cats. So I'm used to driving by the seat of my pants (so to speak). That being said, has anyone here ever needed a/the roll bar put on tractors today? I ask because I'm either going to cut this one off or modify it to go off and on.
To my way of thinking one has to be an idiot if one needs it. And who ever uses a seat belt on a tractor anyways???!!!!!
So if I leave this 'safety' device in tact I may has well gotten a bigger machine. Anyone else care to chime in?

A more serious question, I am going to make a set of hand control levers on the brakes so I can use some skid steering, because while I can see many bennies in the HST the set up with hyro drive controls is ignorant at best. Has anyone ever actually done this kind of modification? If so feed back on specs and things to watch for etc would be appreciated.
Because that little mod IS going to happen.

Randy

DutchHenryBrown · Jul 6, 2013

I think you'll find most will say keep the ROPS, seat belt and any and all safety products hooked up.:2cents:

robbyr · Jul 6, 2013

I don't really have a need for ROPS but it doesn't bother me either. But for the most part this is flat land. On the other hand I flipped a tractor in a pond as a teenager and really believe I would've drowned if I had been wearing a seatbelt. Not saying it's a bad idea but due to my experience I will not be wearing one.

bcp · Jul 6, 2013

From:
Rollover Protection... Penn State Extension

...approximately 250 tractor rollover fatalities per year...

The use of ROPS and a seat belt is estimated to be 99% effective in preventing death or serious injury in the event of a tractor rollover.
=======================================

Mine stay on.

Bruce

creekbend · Jul 6, 2013

Does your make and model have the ROPS that folds in half? BTW, are you physically handicapped? The reason that I am asking is, that my left leg was removed below the knee. My Tractor is a DT-gear model. I use a Prothesis. It took some time getting the Hang of everything, but I have gotten fairly adept at operating the Tractor. The worst part is getting on and off and adusting the attachments. I hope to save enough to purchase a T&T this winter. BTW, best wishes.

TNhobbyfarmer · Jul 6, 2013

Would never operate a tractor without ROPS up and seatbelt on. Just the way I roll.

FredH · Jul 7, 2013

So I am Assuming based upon your reference to HST , that your tractor is indeed the HST model similar to mine . You can try the brake lever deal you describe , but in separating my 2 brakes pedals by moving the connecting lever out of the way , still only gave me minimal lock-up on either side , thus I never pursued it farther and just adapted to the tractor . And it is dang backwards to do since the forward / backward pedal is right below the brake pedals thus you have both feet on one side ?????????????? Like to talk with the engineer who came up with that idea .:banghead:

Fred H.

rsallen · Jul 7, 2013

My issues with roll bar has more to do with circumstances than anything and the places I have to go through, under, in and round. Once and awhile getting something tall like when I have to use the backhoe is all fine and good, but the beating my other half's ornamental trees will take if I do it as a constant makes a roll bar untenable. Something will need to happen about that bar.

Yeah, I'd like to talk to the bright boy that thought up the pedal arrangement for these HSTs myself.
No matter how used to the hydro I get, I suspect I'm going to want some skid steer when I start pushing snow around or grading, etc.
Mean while that pedal assembly is most counter intuitive set up I've ever run into. Before long that thing going to look more like my Groundsmaster trans pedal. I've already resting my foot on the bar so I can move forward to back to forward WITHOUT picking up or moving my foot, I only need to rock it back and forth. So that little mod isn't far down the road, just as soon as I decide just how I want to do it.
Hmmm, now back to the skid steering.

Don87 · Jul 7, 2013

rsallen said:
My issues with roll bar has more to do with circumstances than anything and the places I have to go through, under, in and round. Once and awhile getting something tall like when I have to use the backhoe is all fine and good, but the beating my other half's ornamental trees will take if I do it as a constant makes a roll bar untenable. Something will need to happen about that bar.

Yeah, I'd like to talk to the bright boy that thought up the pedal arrangement for these HSTs myself.
No matter how used to the hydro I get, I suspect I'm going to want some skid steer when I start pushing snow around or grading, etc.
Mean while that pedal assembly is most counter intuitive set up I've ever run into. Before long that thing going to look more like my Groundsmaster trans pedal. I've already resting my foot on the bar so I can move forward to back to forward WITHOUT picking up or moving my foot, I only need to rock it back and forth. So that little mod isn't far down the road, just as soon as I decide just how I want to do it.
Hmmm, now back to the skid steering.

Since you are going to be modifying the tractor to suit your needs anyway.............Have you thought about looking underneath to see if you can move your brake pedals to the left side of the tractor?

Kubota did just that with their new BX lineup, and someone posted pics over in the Kubota section. Just rod extensions basically.