Safety tips for first time tractor owner...

SonnieP · Aug 9, 2005

I've ordered my new Mahindra 6500 4WD w/ FEL and both front/rear tires water/antifreeze filled. I don't know how much it will weigh in at but I'm guessing at least 8500lbs w/ FEL and at least 7000lbs without FEL... maybe a little more.

We have an older Farmall tractor that I've used for several years but not to a great extent because it's just about a worthless clunk of iron. I've ran a few dozers, smaller FEL's, etc... but not for any length of time (mostly rented over the weekend).

Having very little experience, I'd like to learn some safety tips on operating my tractor. While I've read a vast amount of posts already, I have some specific questions I'm hoping to get some lessons on.

Does anyone know how stable this tractor is? Specifically, how is it on slopes, hilly terrain, etc. I've noticed how most seem to use 15 degrees as a general rule for entering a slope from the side. Does this apply to all tractors or are some more stable than others? 15 degrees doesn't sound like much to me but who am I... just a newbie and dummy when it comes to tractor safety.

I know while bushhogging I've been on some pretty hilly slopes sideways on that old Farmall and never fretted. Was I just stupid and lucky?

What about going into a slope? What is a safe degree? Can it go up a 45 degree hillside safely? Down okay? OR stay away?

The ROPS... do these things really protect you from 4 tons of tractor? Will they protect you from side rollovers and backwards rollovers? (Obviously I will always were my seat belt.)

If I take the FEL off and start bushhogging with the intended cutter I plan on getting (1375lbs)... are there certain precautions I should take on slopes and hilly terrain? What about going over terraces and hitting holes in the field?

I have a few somewhat dead trees, 20-30ft tall... 4-6" in diameter... can these simply be pushed over with the FEL or do I risk them coming back over on me? I've pushed larger trees over with a dozer with no problems but no experience with a tractor/FEL combo and trees.

I have some wash out gulleys that I would like to smooth out... maybe I can take some pics of them and post them. Using the FEL to move some earth, are there tips for safety doing this?

I probably will have more questions so if you reply and help me with some advice, I would appreciate you subscribing to the thread in case I think of more questions.

I appreciate the professional and experienced advise.

Bird · Aug 10, 2005

Sonnie, I'm not a professional or expert, so this is purely my opinions.

I've read that tractors, with no implements, are supposed to stay upright on a 20 degree side to side slope. I had tiltmeters on my B2710 and did park it on an 18 degree slope once, then got off to see if I could push it over by hand. There's no doubt it would tolerate 20 degrees. However, two things to keep in mind. Number one is that if you're anything like me, you will seriously misjudge the amount of slope just by looking at it. Number two is that if you're already at 15 to 20 degrees and the wheel on the low side hits a little dip or hole, or the wheel on the high side hits a rock, limb, etc., you'll roll over so fast you won't know what happened. Maybe I'm not as brave as a lot of people, but 15 degrees was scary for me.

( Can it go up a 45 degree hillside safely? ) I doubt it. When in doubt, I backed up hills and went down forward. However, as mentioned above, I used to mow down one slope that I thought looked to be about 45 degrees. But with the tiltmeter, I found it was actually only 25 to 30 degrees.

And yes, the ROPS is supposed to be designed to both prevent a complete rollover, as well as hold the weight of the tractor off of you. Will it actually do it? I was lucky enough to never find out for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I always preferred removing the FEL for mowing; better visibility to the front and a smoother ride. Having the FEL on tended to make the front end bounce up and down on rough terrain.

And yes, I've pushed over trees with the FEL, but there's certainly a chance of it coming back on you, especially if you "bump" it, causing it to rock back and forth, instead of using a slow steady push. And in some cases, as you push it over, you have to watch for the roots or root ball coming up under the front end of the tractor and lifting it off the ground.

Safety while moving earth with the FEL? Go slow, try to make sure the load is balanced in the center of the bucket, and keep the bucket as low as possible, only raise it as high as you need to go to do the job. The higher you get it, the greater the chance that it'll turn you over, especially when turning, or when a wheel drops in the low spot.

Good luck and have fun with that new tractor.

1bush2hog · Aug 10, 2005

Sonny,

Bird had some very good comments.

I would just like to add one - be very careful when pushing over standing dead trees, limbs and even entire top portions of trees can, and will, break out and fall -

bczoom · Aug 10, 2005

Sonnie,

First, congrats on your tractor.

What Bird said but let me throw a couple things out.

On going up and down slopes, what implements you have on the tractor may dictate whether you keep the rear end of the tractor on the downhill side or the front end. Bird's post had the front end down but was mowing. I no longer mow with my tractor so when I'm on hills, I'm doing work with the FEL. In this case, it's better to have the rear tires on the downhill side. In general (but I recommend you find out more), it's probably best to have the implement on the uphill side for balance and avoid tipping. I believe my owners manual says to keep the rear tires on the downhill side but don't recall if it mentioned which way when mowing. See if your owners manual says anything.

When pushing over trees, especially dead ones, exercise caution. As Bird already mentioned, it can come back. Another big issue is branches (or the tree itself) snapping off when you hit/push on it, especially if your initial push doesn't knock it over and the tree starts swaying back and forth. When these branches hit the tractor, it'll make you cringe but when they hit you it's a lot worse. I'd recommend you have your hard hat on.

Brian

Tim_in_IA · Aug 10, 2005

SonnieP,

I have the same tractor you are getting, although I didn't get my tires filled like you are.

I live in extremely hilly terrain. The best advice I can give you is start very slowly until you are comfortable with the "feel" of the machine. I have found since I got my tractor in April-May that I have increasingly been able to tackle the hills better. Go very slow, think about what you are doing 3 or 4 times before acting, and if you start to get that pucker factor feeling stop and get out of that situation as slow as possible.

I have pushed trees over with my FEL with ease. I would recommend a toothbar if you plan to do this a lot to stiffen the bucket edge so you don't bend the crap out of it. What the other guys said about trees biting you back is good advice. Use very slow, controlled movements, and if the tree stops budging, back away and relieve the pressure and try from a different angle.

Your machine will have some decent weight to it. The 6500 4wd is just under 7000lbs stock. When you add the liquid to the tires and the fel you can probably safely assume another 2000lbs.

I too upgraded from an old farmall, but mine was a tricycle 400. I assume from your description of driving on hills sideways without worrying that you had a wide front. I will say that my dad's wide front 560 seems to have a wider footprint than my mahindra. Make sure you set your wheels out if you plan to do a lot of this.

Make sure when you are using the fel that you have a heavy ballast on the back. Just pick one of your heavier rear attachments and keep it low. Don't drive around with the fel up in the air with a load or without. This raises your center of gravity tremendously and will cause you to flip.

Be careful and enjoy your new machine!!

Soundguy · Aug 10, 2005

( We have an older Farmall tractor that I've used for several years but not to a great extent because it's just about a worthless clunk of iron )

That has me worried. ALL tractors need maintenance and repairs. Make sure you do the necescary main and upkeep on this tractor to keep it from becoming turning into a copy of your other tractor.

( The ROPS... do these things really protect you from 4 tons of tractor )

Roll Over Protective Structure....

Soundguy

SkyPup · Aug 10, 2005

The ROPS only protect you from 4 tons of tractor is you have the seat belt on, otherwise they are worthless.....

Best advice is to never be in a hurry, take it easy and go slow. If you are in a rush to get something done, don't do it. You'll live longer that way. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

LBrown59 · Aug 10, 2005

A few other tips.

Never get off the tractor on the down hill side.
Never get between the front or back end of the tractor and an imovable object.
Always drop the FEL to the ground and set the brake before getting off the tractor.

SonnieP · Aug 10, 2005

Thanks, sounds like some good advice.

Soundguy... that Farmall is an inherited tractor from when we moved to the farm 7 years ago. About three years ago it was probably in the best shape it had been in for 15 years because I fixed it up as best it could be fixed. My bro-in-law has been keeping it over at his house next door for the last 3 years and I've not even used it. It's my understanding that it's in pretty sad shape. My new Mahindra will be parked at our house and maintained by me 24/7/365. I take care of my stuff very well. It's much harder to take care of something that someone else is telling you that they are taking care of. He can have the Farmall and I'll have my Mahindra. Hopefully you can draw a pic from this story. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · Aug 10, 2005

( When pushing over trees, especially dead ones, exercise caution. As Bird already mentioned, it can come back. )

I have a couple of dead trees in one of my clear cuts, no bark and no branches. just a dead trunk going up about 25 ft. i think i could push it over, but am leary of it breaking off at the top. think i will just cut it.