Reading the Owners Manuals

[tibadoe]

It's snowing out, stuck inside this morning. Just wondering if anyone else reads thru product Owners Manuals??? I kind of enjoy reading through them. I usually try to download them and go through it before purchase. Mainly I want an overview of what break-in & maintenance schedules will be like. Maybe I will be surprised of some cool features I did not know about. Most times, there is always something I learn that I did not know. Even though most OMs are thick, they all seem stuffed with "warnings" and "cautions" of what stupid things not to do. I find if you have some common sense, reading through one is quick, painless, and most times productive.

I was disappointed that I could not find a free pdf manual for my MF before purchase. I just finished reading through the hardcopy and picked up a few pieces of good info. Think I also looked at every review and 50 hour service video on YouTube. Service on this machine will be a breeze. Now to finish up reading the Kodiak ATV manual and decide whether or it would make a good addition to the fleet.

 

[ruffdog]

I agree that paging through a service manual pre-purchase would give you a heads-up on maintenance procedures and operation. My wife and I both went through the operation manual for our toolcat once we bought it. I had a service code come on and I went to the house and had her write it down. On her own, she remembered seeing the codes in the manual and found it by the time I came in. Yeah, she's a keeper.

 

[Thomas]

I've notice in the troubleshooter section not as many causes to look for help compare to 10-15 years ago,maybe tractor are better built or more complexed. :confused3:

 

[ruffdog]

I've notice in the troubleshooter section not as many causes to look for help compare to 10-15 years ago,maybe tractor are better built or more complexed. :confused3:

Very little adjusting or repairing components anymore......just replace parts.

 

[RickB]

Op manuals used to give detailed instructions for things like valve adjustments. Now they warn about drinking battery acid. If you wonder why just spend a half hour at your local Walmart or Dollar General.

 

[jaydee325]

A while back, I took a part time retirement gig at the local motorcycle shop in the parts department. Initially, I was checking in parts and putting them on the shelf. Eventually, they had me answering the phone and attending the counter. That was a shock! I was amazed at how many people are absolutely clueless. Ask them for a year or model and you get a blank stare. VIN numbers were almost never able to be supplied. Then you had people calling for parts for a brand the dealership did not handle.

So, I conclude those that read the manuals are in the minority! I sometimes wonder how people even survive life. It's sad.

 

[tibadoe]

Op manuals used to give detailed instructions for things like valve adjustments. Now they warn about drinking battery acid. If you wonder why just spend a half hour at your local Walmart or Dollar General.

This is the truth.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The older owners manuals were so full of good information. Most usually had a wiring diagram. So useful while trouble shooting.

 

[/pine]

I'll take "what is the thing to do when all else fails?" for $200 Alex...

(sorry couldn't resist...RIP A.T.)

 

[rademamj1]

I have read about six operator manuals the past year from different manufacturers, due to having more free time because of this pandemic. All of them are quite similar. First 30 pages is filled with safety warnings, pictures of safety warnings and locations of the safety warnings. I enjoy the specifications chapters. The chapters on 3pt hitch are the same regardless of manufacturer. But it's the Tier4 emmissions summary I like best, and these range from the incredibly detailed to the incredibly evasive.

I think much of what we considered necessary information years ago, has been moved to the Service or Workshop manuals. Parts listings and diagrams, valve clearances, wiring diagrams, and detailed emmission flow charts.