Tractorin' -- Good, Bad, Ugly

[GrandpaDano999]

OK, I did my research, compared models, and signed the purchase papers. In a couple days my first tractor will be delivered, along with several implements. I'll get a run-through on everything from the dealer and will read all the manuals ...

... But ...

What do you wise and experienced tractorin' folks believe I should definitely know, learn, do, or avoid as I begin my life as a tractorin' guy? I'm looking for sage wisdom, born of your real-life good, bad or ugly times with your machines and property. Another way to put this: what are one or three things you have learned that are essential, or what do you wish you'd have known, learned, done or avoided when you first began tractorin'?

Thanks for serious, ribald, scary, embarrassing or humorous stories you can pass on to this newbie who is approaching 70. Dan

 

[TerryR]

Dan,

I think you will get more helpful advice if you tell us what kind of work you plan to do, and kind of tractor and implements you bought (from someone who passed 70 a while back).

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

ROPS up, seatbelt on, 4 wheels on the ground, and people/kids/pets far away. Then play.

 

[GrandpaDano999]

Thanks Terry, Kubota MX 5800, FEL, Rear Blade, Rotary Mower, Chipper, Rear Tiller, Grapple, Toothbar.

I have about 20 acres of woods to clean -- brush, dead trees, invasive uglies.
I want to plant food plots for the critters that live here and pass through.
I have high spots to lower and low spots to fill prior to building a garage.
I plan landscaping, removing overgrown shrubs and bushes, starting lawn by the house, knocking down several small decrepit structures.
Come winter, I plan to plow snow.
Mostly, I plan to be safe, as skilled as I can become, and have fun.

 

[Creamer]

Well you got quite a tractor to start with. You will be very happy with it. I am a big believer in brakes and proper clothing. I cannot believe how many people I have heard of their pant leg catching on a lever or they didn't think it would roll and they get caught in or under the machine.

I am also a huge believer in keeping the weight low. I see people running around with the scoop up in the air and wonder when they not be thinking and go on a sidehill with the scoop up in the air like they always drive and it goes over. Same is true with pulling - 3 pts are great for lifting and can pull real well but they are made to pull when they are down not when they are above horizontal.

Just a few of the things that I find crazy.

 

[GrandpaDano999]

Gratitude to Luke'sScreenName and Creamer! All points make great sense!

 

[jaydee325]

When going forward with an implement hanging off the back, look back before turning. That implement needs a wide arc.

When reversing, before turning look forward, that loader hanging off the front needs a wide swing.:thumbsup:

 

[lennyzx11]

FEL down as much as possible.
Lifting FEL while on side slope means good way to turn it over.
Pulling with 3 point means connection point stays under center of rear axle. Or tractor will back flip before you know it due to gear ratio and leverage.
Side slope and diagonal slopes deserve extra extra attention.
The tractor is like a trycycle. The front axle pivots under the center. Not like a car. One wrong move and upsy daisy.
Don't pick stuff up without ballast on the rear.
Get the rear tires filled.

 

[GrandpaDano999]

Thank you, jaydee325, wise counsel!

 

[GrandpaDano999]

Affirmative lennyzx11! Flipping and rolling are among my "most-want-to-avoids."

My unit comes with three rear wheel weights each side, approximately 600# total. Dealer suggested I work it and then decide to fill or not. How does this configuration compare with filling rears? Thank you.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Your gonna want about 800-1000lbs of 3pt ballast (at about 1ft out; less weight if farther out) to get max loader capacity. That's WITH loaded rear tires.

 

[jeff9366]

ROPS up, seatbelt on, 4 wheels on the ground, and people/kids/pets far away. Then play.

If you get your new tractor up on two wheels more than twice per year, or balanced on one wheel even once, your tractor is too light. It is not worth gambling your life or experiencing disability in a tractor rollover.

Tractors need high ground clearance in order to pass over obstacles and lift ground contact implements high enough for crossing ditches and loading on trailers. With high ground clearance comes instability. The two palliatives are adjusting the rear tires wider apart and additional tractor weight.

 

[GrandpaDano999]

This suggests it WILL be prudent, and safer, to fill rears?

 

[sea2summit]

With a grapple you will definitely want some sort of counter weight on the MX, mine won't lift much in the grapple before the rear end moves without some weight back there.

Also, two grease guns...one will always run out in the middle of greasing and your stuck with the choice of being lazy and not finishing the job or refilling the gun instead of doing some tractoring. When I'm running the grapple and BH I think I only get three or four days out of a tube.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

 

[jeff9366]

This suggests it WILL be prudent, and safer, to fill rears?

The MX5800 is, in my opinion, inherently more stable than most due to its stance, fat tires and weight.

I am on my third tractor. None have had filled tires. I prefer the flexibility of selective Three Point Hitch ballast.

I do not have any sloped ground to work in Florida. If you have slopes to work in Wisconsin, perhaps filled tires are advisable as they lower the center of gravity. But I would explore adjusting the rear wheels wider first.

In MY conditions, with R4/Industrial Tires and 4-WD, I have never felt the need for more traction, the second reason for filling tires. See Photos #4 + #5. Those rippers are in the ground a full 10". Four wheel drive is effective.

I try NOT to compact the soil with passage of my tractor. Most of us operate over the same ground regularly. Compaction takes decades for Mother Nature to ameliorate. Plowing only submerges the compaction 8" deeper.


Soggy Water Oak in Photo #1 + #2 weighed around 1,600 pounds.




MX5800 = nice tractor. You will love the telescoping Lower Links and pinned stabilizers when mounting implements.

 

[sea2summit]

This suggests it WILL be prudent, and safer, to fill rears?

In the woods, probably. If you're putzing around in the garden not so much.

 

[Cataclysm]

Get some chain hooks welded on that bucket. Dont pickup or pull heavy with just one side of the bucket.

Take it easy and learn you and your tractors capabilities.

Post lots of pics..

 

[GrandpaDano999]

pics are helpful, thanks. even with just one eye, I'm primarily a visual learner.

 

[GrandpaDano999]

Get some chain hooks welded on that bucket. Dont pickup or pull heavy with just one side of the bucket.

Take it easy and learn you and your tractors capabilities.

Post lots of pics..

Where on bucket to mount hooks?