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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

how to drive a tractor

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Markay

09-08-2005 04:27:54




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An old Ag Teacher drove my nice Ford diesel 4630 yesterday. He pumped the foot accelerator like it was race car. I am not letting him get on it again. If he uses it, I will disconnect the foot accelerator. I don't think it is healthy to rev the thing up and down. This has caused us to have much conversation. I use the hand trottle and maintain a constant speed when using the tractor. I use the foot accelerator for a smooth transition on the road. Will somebody tell me if I am being over sensitive?

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Burnie

09-09-2005 03:06:35




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
The short answer to your question is: no, you are not being over sensitive. I am an Ag teacher as well and would never operate a tractor in the way your teacher did. Like you, I prefer to use the hand throttle most of the time espcially when doing fieldwork, but I do find the foot throttle handy sometimes. The Ford TW's had to be driven almost like a truck when doing haulage work, and loader work is much eaiser with a foot throttle. Other people I know use the foot a lot more. It doesn't matter too much as long as it is smooth and controlled. Tractors are designed to be run at a constant speed and load, except in the running in period, which is one reason you often find only hand trottles on larger tractors. I have been operating tractors for over 25 years, mainly for other people, and have never been asked to vary the revs when working. While I'm not sure if pumping the accelerator does a lot of harm, it sure doesn't do much good and (in my view) doesn't reflect well on the professionalism of the operator.

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kyhayman

09-08-2005 20:13:07




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
On the tractor I use the foot pedal for loader work and on the road, otherwise usually use the hand throttle. I used to believe I had to be real careful and not rev the engine up and down, then low and behold got hold of a Deere 550G dozer, what does the manual say, use the decelerator when reversing to save fuel and minimize engine speed when pushing trees to avoid track slippage. Cant tell it hurts either way. I use my stuff hard, all of it, and never saw an engine problem from that.

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RodinNS

09-08-2005 18:01:36




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
It's your tractor.... you can stipulate how it's to be driven, and that ought to be respected.
That said, I use the pedal most of the time. I use the throttle lever very little, with the exception of maintaining a set PTO speed. In my book, that's about all it should be used for. It's a lot easier and more efficient to use the accelerator pedal for most other work. What I would recommend is that anybody that insists on shifting a transmission at a set throttle speed when they don't need to maintain a set RPM needs a good swift kick in the pants. That's why the pedal was put there, yet some persist in driving a modern synchro tranny like it was a 9N, and putting needless strain on clutches and synchronizers, and getting nothing done to show for it. I've seen enough of it. That's my little rant for the night....
As far as revving the engine goes, it's not going to do any more than burn fuel with nothing to show for it. That can be just as easily done with the hand lever as the pedal too. Technically speaking, an engine should never really be operated at a constant load or speed. When I was in trade school, that was one subject often talked about. The reason was that constant load and speed could lead to cylinder glazing, and require a premature rebuild. You might also notice in the operators manual, that they do not recommend that the tractor be operated at light loads for long periods of time, particulairly in the break in period. They do suggest operating at a variety of speeds and loads. That's a good enough book for me....

Rod

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James2

09-08-2005 19:51:22




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to RodinNS, 09-08-2005 18:01:36  
Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder because in my opinion a foot throttle is nearly worthless. Have tried them several times, and came to the conclusion they must be for those who started to drive farm tractors after learning to drive a car, truck or wheeled earth moving equipment. Also take issue with running an engine at constant speed after it is broken-in. Maybe not good to run at low idle and low loads, but running at rated speed and load forever, will never glaze the cylinder walls. I've ran a lot of lab engines the last 30 years and some for thousands of hours. Constant speed/load at normal outputs was never a life issue with properly designed components.

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RodinNS

09-08-2005 21:51:08




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to James2, 09-08-2005 19:51:22  
Hi James,
I've just got to ask, what is so different about driving a car and operating a tractor? I know several people who seem to have formed a huge mental gap between the two. People who could normally drive a vehicle with a manual transmission effortlessly, who then get on a tractor and all of a sudden don't know what the different gears are for, and decide to start a load away in high because they can't shift. One reason why. Foot pedal. They don't seem to know how it works on a tractor. This is one of my pet peeves..... ..... ..
Dunno about others, but I grew up on a tractor seat. Long before I drove a car. A good deal of that time was spent running hard on the road, running heavy, and lots of shifting. Spent lots of time on the dozer too. For me, an accelerator pedal is mandatory equipment. Simply lose too much time without it. I spent some time on a 4440 Deere P/S last summer that didn't have a foot pedal, and it nearly drove me nuts. Didn't do much for my opinion of the tractor either, except that now I know I'd never buy one.
Yes, you're right about running at rated speed. Idleing is bad whether at high or low idle. Actually, the only work I do on a regular basis that I maintain a set speed for is baleing and spraying. For nearly everything else, I am much more comfterable with the foot pedal. It's always on the floor anyway. It's just easier to let off when necessary, rather than reaching up for a lever. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Rod

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James2

09-09-2005 17:08:08




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to RodinNS, 09-08-2005 21:51:08  
It was late last night when I hurriedly wrote the response, and I apologize for the somewhat curt response. I should have used "limited use" rather than the more negative "nearly worthless" which would be better reflect the kindred spirit shown in this forum. I also should have mentioned that it can facilitate loader work. I was completely surprised that you prefer a foot throttle for general operation. I'm in my mid-fifties and never encountered anyone who grew up on a farm that was so inclined. For someone near my age that would be expected, because few if any older tractors had them. This reality conjures up the old adage, that it is sometimes tough to teach old dogs, new tricks. However, I also know quite a few younger farmers in their late 30's and early forties, that also disdain a foot throttle for traditional hand operation. But since I'm from the generation that grew up in the San Franciso's Haight-Ashbury "hippie" era I should be more open to new ideas. Next time I'm on a tractor with a foot throttle, I'll try to be a little more subjective.

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Nolan

09-08-2005 11:08:11




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Shucks, it"s a piston engine, same as in your car. Blipping the foot throttle doesn"t do anything that the governor doesn"t do. It"s just no big deal.



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Nebraska Cowman

09-08-2005 10:15:34




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Caution, that the word around here. Don't be tearing up the equipment or get hurt taking foolish chances. That's what I'm teachin' LC

third party image



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Mike M

09-08-2005 12:22:54




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 09-08-2005 10:15:34  
Somehow that picture doesn't match your comments ? Operator having loader raised almost fully and looking the other way ????? Or was that picture to show the wrong way ???



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Nebraska Cowman

09-08-2005 20:01:36




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Mike M, 09-08-2005 12:22:54  
He is just backing away fron taking one of the top bales off the wagon and yes, he is looking the right way.



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Mike M

09-09-2005 06:00:12




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 09-08-2005 20:01:36  
Whew ! You had me scared for a minute. I thought he was driving around with a load in the air and was camera shy and turned away when you appeared to take the picture.



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Fawteen

09-08-2005 14:00:54




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Mike M, 09-08-2005 12:22:54  
I was thinking the same thing. Can't tell for sure, but it looks to me like that loader may have a bale on it too. Not a great idea, but there may be factors I'm unaware of.



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buickanddeere

09-08-2005 08:54:29




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Yes, no and maybe. Anything I operate I make d*m certain everything works and without controls sticking or hanging up. Same thing as with aircraft etc. The control functions must be checked. A couple of snorts on the throttle will show a lot about engine condtion. Now if that engine had just been fired up and it was being goosed before oil pressure had built and finally pushed oil to the far ends of the oil galleries. Or if the gooseing was done just prior to shut down, particularly if the engine is turbo equiped. Then feel free to kick your instructor's kyster. Maybe he's getting over the hill and is gratefull he was able to go out for a rip and a tear like a young lad? You might have made his day?

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Lou

09-08-2005 07:58:39




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
You should send him back to school, he might learn to respect others property.



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Coldiron

09-08-2005 07:40:30




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
I use both of my tractors fairly hard but for someone else to sit in the seat and race the engine would be the last time they ever sat in it. He may have taught Ag but he needs to be schooled in how to treat other peoples equipment. Sounds like he has looked at a lot of tractors that may have been for sale but didn`t buy any.



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Dick L

09-08-2005 07:13:34




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 One Thing Forgotten In The Discussion in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Disrespect of the owner of the tractor. If it is not yours treat it like it was a privilege just to sit on the seat. If you want a tractor to razz the engine on, Buy One.
You just made my point that has troubled me for years, that teachers are teaching DISRESPECT.



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buckva

09-08-2005 07:02:58




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  

Aw shucks fellow. So he goosed your tractor a few times. maby even slipped the clutch and rode the brakes to get it to turn better. Maby he figured it need the cobwebs blown out and the pedals loosened up a bit. Its a tractor and it can take it. Been my experience that the people that use them get the most out of them. Jerk that thing around a little and you may realise its full potential.



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Coloken

09-08-2005 06:22:36




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Might not hurt it, but to me it shows a complete lack of respect for the tractor. Not my kind of driver.
Kennyp



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No, ur not.

09-08-2005 05:49:11




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 Re: how to drive a tractor in reply to Markay, 09-08-2005 04:27:54  
Your owner's manual will give the best information. Have had one bigger diesel with the foot pedal, didn't really use/need it. Can't see how "racing" the throttle on a smaller diesel can be good for it. There are people out there that can break a bowling ball with a feather. One or two times isn't going to hurt unless he went from idle to Wide open several times in less than a second or so.



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