Learning to run a tractor

marusempai · #1 05/05/14, 10:58 AM

So we have a Mccormick Deering Farmall Cub (it came with the house!) that I need to learn to operate post haste. As in I don't know how to turn it on.

Can anybody point me at a book or website or something that's "making your tractor go for dummies"? Because the grass is getting stupid tall and I need to at least mow around the house, plus I would really, REALLY like to not till up the other half of the garden by hand. (Other things that came with the house: mower and plow attachments for the tractor. Woot!) I have very little mechanical know how but am very determined!

agmantoo · #2 05/05/14, 11:58 AM

On You Tube there are videos on using a tractor

ace admirer · #3 05/05/14, 12:01 PM

Hmmm, blacksburg, Va, is you land hilly? forgive me, but the combination of little mechanical ability, very determined and farm equipment is usually a bad results. do you have farm neighbors that could give you some training?

anyway try to find an operators manual for you tractor to start with. maybe ebay or http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/

sorry i have no first hand knowledge of the Cub tractor except they are very much sought after.

marusempai · #4 05/05/14, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace admirer

Hmmm, blacksburg, Va, is you land hilly? forgive me, but the combination of little mechanical ability, very determined and farm equipment is usually a bad results. do you have farm neighbors that could give you some training?

anyway try to find an operators manual for you tractor to start with. maybe ebay or http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/

sorry i have no first hand knowledge of the Cub tractor except they are very much sought after.

Oh, no offense taken. It's pretty flat actually - sort of a gentle slope from the road in the front to the creek in the back. My husband knows how to drive a mower - he used to do it for his grandparents - but doesn't know how to set anything up. His grandpa, apparently, would set up the mower, turn everything on, and then turn him loose with it, didn't trust him as far as the setup. That was a newer machine than this too.

We do have neighbors, but they are far away and we don't know them from Adam.

I suppose I'll have to pick up my courage and go say hello sooner or later though.

davel745 · #5 05/05/14, 12:32 PM

tractors can upset very easily be careful.

idigbeets · #6 05/05/14, 12:47 PM

http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Cub...als/index.html

http://www.davenporttractor.com/p-13...b-tractor.aspx

ace admirer · #7 05/05/14, 12:58 PM

yeah stuff from that time frame had absolutely so safety features and very little guarding. it was all know how and training or you died or lost limbs.

so just be careful, get good information and don't operate the equipment while balancing your checkbook or such....

Hey Idigbeets, thats good reference info....

Pat32rf · #8 05/08/14, 04:58 PM

I would take a look around on www.tractorbynet.com. Those Cubs were neat but deadly...

dsmythe · #9 05/10/14, 08:10 PM

There are 2 great sites to ask more questions about farm equipment. Yesterdays tractor and ageless iron. Also go visit your neighbors, chances are they may have known the former residents and may know something about your equipment.
First and foremost make sure that the tractor is NOT in gear before you try to start it. Next, if you get it started take it out and just drive it around, the gear shift pattern should be on the equipment somewhere if not call the local tractor dealer, they will be able to answer most questions over the phone and are usually glad to help a perspective customers. As mentioned above there were very little safety features back when the Cub was made, I have one of his big brothers, the H Farmall, I really like it. If you have never driven a car or truck with a clutch it will take time to learn. Please by all means get some live help. There is a lot of good help on youtube but your life is worth more. Learning to drive a tractor is not hard but OPERATING it is a whole different thing. The main thing is don't take any unnecessary chances, hire someone to cut your grass until you have the skills.
I hope this helps

logbuilder · #10 05/11/14, 12:00 PM

One thing that is different with older tractors is that you can't shift while moving. That is different than a car. You pick your gear and then go. I don't specifically know about your tractor but this was common back in the day.

OffGridCooker · #11 05/11/14, 01:06 PM

A few issues I have had.
When running always pause a few seconds after disengaging the tractor before you exit. Make sure it is out of gear.
If on a hill turn parallel so the tractor doesn't roll.
When workning on a slop, sliding off to steeper slope, or a wheel dropping off in a hole is a danger.
Lets see what other ways have I screwed up, not listening to the equipment.
You will need to listen to your equipment it will sound different when something is wrong.
Like being low on oil ,low on water, or trash in the fuel.
I have also had condensation in the gas tank because the cap let moist air breath in.
First scout any area that you mow especially if it is new ground.
Let the blades stop before exiting to scout.
I am lucky to be alive!

FCubSETN · #12 05/11/14, 01:35 PM

Go to Farmallcub.com & check out their site.

OffGridCooker · #13 05/11/14, 02:32 PM

A few tips,
If you are getting stuck, don't dig yourself in, if your are stuck, stop,you may be able to let the ground dry for a few days and drive it out.
Don't get two tractors stuck trying to get one tractor unstuck.

logbuilder · #14 05/11/14, 05:24 PM

If you use PTO implements, you need an ORC (over running coupler). On my 9N and my bushhog without the ORC, if you put the clutch in to stop, the momentum of the mower blades will push the tractor forward. That can be scary sometimes. Brakes on these old tractors are not very good. I hardly ever use mine.