Owning a small tractor is a blessing.

[drumminj]

My mower lift has "built-in" safety locks that click in at various heights. Trust them, or use jack stands too?

https://www.harborfreight.com/750-lb-heavy-duty-atvmower-high-lift-jack-63298.html

Personally I'd at least put some kind of "cribbing" in place to save you if something fails. Some scrap 6x6s or something to at least keep the full weight off of you should something go wrong.

Like putting the flat tire under the car after you take it off to put on the spare. Just in case...

 

[elsievo]

When I first bought my sub-compact I couldn't really justify the purchase. That said, I have found all sorts of projects for it. Couple nights ago I tilled part of an area to increase the size of the church parking lot, then scooped up the spoils. Today I spread out two truck loads of gravel in the "excavated" area. I love being able to blow snow without wrangling a snow blower out in the open. Been able to mow the lawn around the shop, the house and the church in a lot less time than the 42" walk behind I had before the tractor came on the scene. I really appreciate all those that post the good and the bad. I have learned much about tractor safety by perusing these threads.

 

[Jstpssng]

Years ago I stopped by the local convenience store, where the local tomboy was just starting a brake job for her friend, who was working at the store. She asked if I had an allen wrench to fit the brake caliper. I looked and she just had the el cheapo car jack supporting the car so I went around back and found some blocking before lending her my tools.

When she returned them she thanked me for blocking it up; just after I left it fell off the jacks and the blocking kept the car from falling on her.

Anytime I jack something up the first thing I do is shake it and shove it hard to make sure it's stable.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I moved one of our buoys back over an old well opening, covering that damnable thing up again. It had been there prior, but was moved when the basement was put in as it was in the way of the work.

I'm happy to have it back. It does a great job.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Oh, and I added the JU FabWorks rear tie-down.

 

[1dwsengineer]

I agree, it wonderful to have a tractor. It does all my heavy lifting especially since I'm getting older and my boys are grown and out of the house. Just simply using it to unload material from the back of my pickup. Definitely need to keep safety in mind...be well all!

 

[dkmc]

Yes tractors are cool and handy. If you were ever in a position to need/want/could use/ a Forklift......
Now that's another whole level of handy. I have several that are currently under my care.

 

[ismilelots]

Just having a tractor around is an absolute blessing for me; it's not a need, it's something I'm able to afford that makes life so much easier.

A few days ago I managed to obliterate a mowing blade in a way that was new for me, directing it straight into the ground. This made moving the lawnmower difficult.

I just brought the Kioti over to the Cub Cadet and lifted the mower in the air. I've never had an easier time removing the blades. I did the same a few days later when I put the new blades on. With the new blades on, forgetting about the previous days rain, I immediately sank the Cub in mud.

A small tractor suited this recue effort far more than the F350 would have; a small tractor is a blessing.

I mowed the upper area and then put my toys away, I'll try again this weekend.

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You are right. A tractor makes life easier (especially for old guys like me). But just a warning about lifting things to work on them ... there have been 2 people (in the past 2 years) in my county alone that have died pinned under something held up by their tractor. One, the chain hook broke off the tractor and one the hydraulics let loose. Both resulted in the full weight of the item being dropped on them.

 

[Ideehoan]

Dogs are man’s best friend but a tractor is right up there.

Speaking of safety a family friend who was beloved by all changed oil using only a jack-all.

It slipped and he was crushed and died slowly trying to communicate to his wife how to operate the jack-all.

She will never be the same after this horrendous experience. He is missed by his children and grandchildren.

 

[drumminj]

It slipped and he was crushed and died slowly trying to communicate to his wife how to operate the jack-all.

I thought that slowly being crushed would be a horrible way to go, but man that makes it so much worse. And I can totally imagine being in the same situation, trying to describe to my girlfriend how to use a floor jack, or even a lever and a fulcrum to help.