Laminarman
Gold Member
I am a 12 year owner of a New Holland TC40DA who, for various reasons, found it lacking for my food plots and other work. I looked at the NH Workmaster but the Deere 5055E was so much more the machine I needed, and the NH dealer just did not come with a good trade in offer. So, with trepidation I traded in my Blue and am now Green. I have nothing but good experience with my NH dealer and my machine, he just couldn't provide a machine at a price point I wanted and needed. I planted a lawn, built a house and a life and gave my 3 little kids rides on Blue first. Soooooo, now I have gone from my first tractor, a hydrostatic compact utility, to a gear drive tractor with much more horsepower. The 5055 is just AWESOME, I am in love with this thing.
Here are a few lessons I learned the hard way my first day on the machine:
1. It is entirely possible to not be used to the gear drive and clip the edge of the barn door with the bucket
2. It is also entirely possible to go very fast in reverse, even in B range, and smash into the back of your barn
3. It is also entirely possible to roll downhill backwards very fast when you depress the clutch
4. Is it also entirely possible to pop a wheely when the PTO is going and you're at working RPM's in B range and third gear and let the clutch out suddenly...while facing slightly uphill. Yes, I had the loader on. And loaded rear tires. I was not liking that feeling. Evil Knievel on a tractor is NOT a good thing.
Needless to say I am new to the gear thing but getting the hang of it. I have all of 5 hours under my belt : ) I had 900 under my belt on the hydro transmission so it's still new.
I have a few questions. The sales person and the manual said to "let the clutch out and let the tractor do the work." That's fine, except I'm doing a little loader work and mowing/turning around and at the RPM's I'm running going in reverse is very fast indeed. Is "feathering the clutch" allowed or will this reduce clutch life? Otherwise I'll have to switch to a lower range.
Also, there is the dang beep I keep hearing with the PTO running and I can't tell when it comes on what it's for. Seems when I push the clutch in? I can't pattern it, don't see anything in the manual. I can call the dealer in the morning but I thought I'd say hello on the Green side now that I see what you folks are addicted to. Kind of like a Porsche or something. The Deere has a unique sound and feel. This machine will hopefully last me a long, long time. She is sure robust as heck. It has the "cool" factor for my 12 year old son so in that respect it was a wise purchase.
Here are a few lessons I learned the hard way my first day on the machine:
1. It is entirely possible to not be used to the gear drive and clip the edge of the barn door with the bucket
2. It is also entirely possible to go very fast in reverse, even in B range, and smash into the back of your barn
3. It is also entirely possible to roll downhill backwards very fast when you depress the clutch
4. Is it also entirely possible to pop a wheely when the PTO is going and you're at working RPM's in B range and third gear and let the clutch out suddenly...while facing slightly uphill. Yes, I had the loader on. And loaded rear tires. I was not liking that feeling. Evil Knievel on a tractor is NOT a good thing.
Needless to say I am new to the gear thing but getting the hang of it. I have all of 5 hours under my belt : ) I had 900 under my belt on the hydro transmission so it's still new.
I have a few questions. The sales person and the manual said to "let the clutch out and let the tractor do the work." That's fine, except I'm doing a little loader work and mowing/turning around and at the RPM's I'm running going in reverse is very fast indeed. Is "feathering the clutch" allowed or will this reduce clutch life? Otherwise I'll have to switch to a lower range.
Also, there is the dang beep I keep hearing with the PTO running and I can't tell when it comes on what it's for. Seems when I push the clutch in? I can't pattern it, don't see anything in the manual. I can call the dealer in the morning but I thought I'd say hello on the Green side now that I see what you folks are addicted to. Kind of like a Porsche or something. The Deere has a unique sound and feel. This machine will hopefully last me a long, long time. She is sure robust as heck. It has the "cool" factor for my 12 year old son so in that respect it was a wise purchase.
