So I buy my new Kubota L3200...now...

[Atlanta Panther]

I need to figure out how to use it! I'm trying to find information on basic tractor operations. Things like, the best way to fill a bucket and work a pile, how to use a box blade on a gravel driveway, how to get a smooth compacted path using a loader when filling in a ditch, the best way to use a bushhog, etc.

Can anyone point me to a training course or other forum where I could learn? Pictures would help a great deal.

 

[skeets]

Welcome to the Orange and we love pictures lots of pictures.....
Ok try this link and click on what you have and want to know about, at the bottom of most pages is a video about using the equipment no doubt you will learn something,,, And just remember play with it think about what you want to do and then go slow,, you will get the hang of things in no time

http://www.everythingattachments.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=vidos&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

 

[Drew584]

Welcome, and congrats on your new machine. There are alot of videos on youtube you can watch and see what people do differently, Also in your tractor manual it talks about proper techniques to use to fill your bucket and how to work your pile. Once you start getting hrs in the seat you'll get a lot better at it, just remember to take it slow I see alot of people that think they have to do everything in high gear, just take it slow and everything will fall into place.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Welcome to da hood! Like everbody else has said just play with it and take your time and you'll get the hang of it. Kinda like riding your bike without training wheels for the first time. You'll be kind of wobbly and all over the place and before long your jumping off ramps flying over creeks. Well with the bike NOT the tractor...

 

[chim]

Congrats, you will love it. Best place to start is to read and understand what the manuals contain. As mentioned, the internet is rich with info. Then there's also the University of Seat Time

 

[Burt]

I need to figure out how to use it! I'm trying to find information on basic tractor operations. Things like, the best way to fill a bucket and work a pile, how to use a box blade on a gravel driveway, how to get a smooth compacted path using a loader when filling in a ditch, the best way to use a bushhog, etc.

Can anyone point me to a training course or other forum where I could learn? Pictures would help a great deal.

Atlanta Panther:

Congrats! Like you, I wasn't sure how to use a box blade. The You Tube and reference to everything attachments helped a lot.

Box blades are actually multi-purpose. Not only can you smooth gravel (have some one walk beside you and tell you if you are filling your box about halfway, then dispersing it first). If you put the scarifiers down, you can dig a garden space out. You can tilt your box blade and clean out or make a ditch. You can also use it going forward and backwards for smoothing.

With our box blade we have smoothed out hills, removed sod, dug a big area for a rock wall, cleared ground around a neighbors garage for a fire break, dug a ditch, smoothed gravel and dirt and helped a neighbor dig for a garden and a carport. It's also a wonderful counterweight on the stern.

It's one of the best tools you can use.

As far as your other questions, the other orange guys here can help you with that. While your 3200 is a cousin to the 3400 and eventually the 3700SU and 3800. The limits for your loader is different than our L3700SU and the L3800.

If you really need the specification info, specific for your L3200, invest in a manual from a dealer.

Search google for "How to use a box blade," and you will get a bunch of hits for good information.

Burt

 

[Pappy]

Try:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=youtube+tractor+safety&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX5J5suE-Gs

 

[Kingcreek]

When I bought my used L3010 it came with a manual for the tractor and another manual for the loader that does a good job of covering the operation of it. a lot of it just comes from experience, take your time and work from the side of caution.
Don't be like my neighbor, novice city guy buys some land in the country and a "Montana" tractor and has so far broken the loader frame, wrecked a new bush hog deck and damaged a rear tiller. All because he does not bother to learn proper operation but instead jumps on and goes (he doesn't warm his equipment up either) and rams into stuff, backs into things, and generally learns by making expensive mistakes.

 

[Stubbyie]

Reference the last poster regarding Montana brand tractor.

Got a couple of those in my area. Place one alongside a pile of orange and the 'Bota will win every time.

If you get the chance, take a few minutes and look closely at how the green Montana is built and how it operates and behaves. It's a Model T compared to Kubota.

They have their place and they can be used if cared for, but all things considered in the same horsepower, a given Montana is about half the machine a Kubota is.

My point is the neighbor mentioned is operating out of ignorance in several ways: not only that he mistreats his equipment but that he bought a lesser tractor to start with. When he learns, perhaps he'll come over to the Oranges.

 

[chim]

While I agree the Montana isn't in the same class as say a Kubota, Kioti, Deere and Mahindra, don't be too hard on the Montana. We have one at work and sometimes I take it out to play...er...work. With first-hand experience I can say it's a robust tractor. Ours has been abused and hasn't broken anything that I'd blame on the design or construction.

The things I really didn't care for were:

1. The difficulty involved with removing and reinstalling the loader. Big hammers, prybars and two or three men have never been required with the Kubotas I've used.

2. It had "bugs" electrically, and went back to the dealer a couple times before they were corrected. Again, having bought two new Kubotas that had no issues.

3. Parts availability. We had problems getting some simple things like filters. We also had it down for an extended time waiting for a new dash. The dash was broken by a guy who didn't think he had to watch how far he had the bucket curled when he raised the loader all the way. He is VERY fortunate the big chunk of whatever it was landed on the dash in lieu of his head.

 

[Stubbyie]

Your item number 3 brings to mind a cautionary tale in this hay season.

Few years ago a kinfolk with a lifetime of experience had a brain-fart while loading a hay trailer. He had probably moved 10,000 round bales in his life. Tilted the loader bucket (hay spike) back too far and the bale rolled down the loader arms and pinned him in the seat. Uncertain if he was suffocated or crushed but end result the same.

 

[moog]

The best educator in the world is seat time. Either you will learn to use your tractor or you will figure out it's cheaper to hire someone to do it. Either way you figure it out

 

[skeets]

Very well put,, funny,,, but well put

 

[Burt]

I need to figure out how to use it! I'm trying to find information on basic tractor operations. Things like, the best way to fill a bucket and work a pile, how to use a box blade on a gravel driveway, how to get a smooth compacted path using a loader when filling in a ditch, the best way to use a bushhog, etc.

Can anyone point me to a training course or other forum where I could learn? Pictures would help a great deal.

Atlanta Panther:

One more thing. In your tractor manual, there will be instructions on the loader. Learn how to "float" the bucket. That is to say, release it from down pressure and let it drop on the surface. That will give you some experience smoothing surfaces.

Burt

 

[senecak19]

I need to figure out how to use it! I'm trying to find information on basic tractor operations. Things like, the best way to fill a bucket and work a pile, how to use a box blade on a gravel driveway, how to get a smooth compacted path using a loader when filling in a ditch, the best way to use a bushhog, etc.

Can anyone point me to a training course or other forum where I could learn? Pictures would help a great deal.

Welcome! Don't feel bad. I'm in the same seat as you with the same tractor I have a lot of seat time with skid steers and dozers, but very little behind a tractor like ours. I intend to go the Eric_McCarthy route... slow and steady till I'm jumping over cliffs.

 

[Regaj]

I'm in very much the same boat as the OP - albeit I don't even have my tractor yet (hopefully within the next month or two).

Normally when I get interested in something new I read everything I can on it. I love the internet and all the resources it provides. And thanks to all the links in suggestions in this thread!

That said, I gotta say I was surprised - shocked, actually - when I went on Amazon and searched on tractor books. Like the OP, I was looking for something that would describe in detail how to operate a tractor, how to best take advantage of the multitude of implements that can be attached to one.

A ton of hits came back for children's books about tractors. And a few about old, collector tractors. I didn't see a single book on how to actually use one.

 

[RSmike]

I just got my BX 2370 a week ago. Only 3 hours on it. I've got a lot to learn.

So far I'm pretty sure the front pedal makes it go forward and the back one makes it go backwards. Hahaha

Someone told me there's a lot going on and you have to pay attention..no texting while tractoring.....true dat!

I ALMOST removed a good section of the lawn with the backblade. Oh boy was I lucky. I ALMOST had the blade on the ground....almost. Whew!

I've found that you have to make a mess to learn. It's not something you want to hop on the first time in your life and expect to grade the driveway perfectly. Go play somewhere where the wife won't notice. Hehehehe.

RSLater,
RSMike

 

[skeets]

Im not a big fan of youtube, BUT, if you go looking for how to ues the back blade or how to use a FEL or brush hog, someplace in there your going to see and learn something,, Learning has never been my problem ..
retention is.

 

[parkgt]

Bring it to my place; you can work along side me for days and get constant valuable and appreciated feedback - just ask my wife.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Best thing I could suggest is go pick a spot on the back 40 of your yard, a place you don't care if it gets screwed up or not and go play in the sand box with your new toys. Dig holes, make piles, spread it all out, level it smooth and get a feel for how it works.

Chances are you won't find a manual on how to operate a tractor. There is no right or wrong way, only what works for you. Have fun with it and go play!