odd ramblings

[Ken]

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

Randy Since you asked and also mentioned Old School.
Had a J.D. Model 40 with box blade on the rear. And neighbor that had known for 50 + years borrowed to level out a truck load of gravel in drive way.
Also was going to fill holes where trees had been pushed down by dozer. Some time in the morning of using the tractor he in turning to the right and maybe looking at box blade ran a tire up a pile of dirt and rolled the tractor. Was found by his wife that went out to call him to lunch. Steering wheel on chest and the length of time unknown.

There after never could get on tractor with out thinking of my neighbor. a roll over bar and seat belt could of had many more years of living.

Old School remember the Fordson with steel wheels. Pulling a plow and would walk the bull gears faster than could step on clutch and mash you into the plow. a small modification corrected this error but how many did it take to learn.
Wife's brush causing you to want to remove the roll over bar maybe cut the tree higher I did and still enjoy the living.
ken

 

[rsallen]

Yeah, one could call it brush. lol
If it were left up to me I'd cement the whole area over and paint it green.

But yes roll overs have been and is and has been something to be aware of for at least as long as I've been around tractors. It is a concern, especially if someone not really familar with tractors are using one. Ala the next door nieghbor or the other half. And besides sh** does happen.
A seat belt only restricts what one can look for and keep track of in my book as equipment operation, direction and what to be negotiated ahead need to be attended to, so that piece of 'safety' stays exactly where I found it. Under the seat, period.
Now I can take the roll bar off. I can modify it to some kind of hinge or sleeve it so I can take it on or off.
But something has to happen with it. It can not stand as it is.

 

[tcreeley]

I have a TC30. Love it. The seat belt is under the seat, same as when I bought it used from a guy. I thought about cutting the rollbars- but heard the story of the kid who drowned beneath his tractor, his head in a small puddle of water. I like the idea of cut and hinge for a fold down. Need a good welder for that.
My arthritis makes me keep my feet on the same side -left. I have the gear model. I can't use the clutch and the brakes without moving both legs. I bolted a piece of rebar to the brake pedal, have the brakes linked and use my right hand to push the bar forward if I want the brakes. I made a wood knob to slide over the top of the rebar. Works well.
I snow plow and move gravel with my tractor- runs great.

 

[FredH]

Foldable ROPS would be the trick in your case assuming flat or flatter ground than I have . Most of property varies between 7% to 14% just depending on were you are at . Rarely drive around without something on the back unless changing implements . Favorite 2 are the 757C backhoe or my Modified 6' KK disk that now weighs in at around 1100+ lbs. .

Fred H.