2 Safety Questions

[UnEasyRider]

Finally received my 3302 today. Have 2 questions.

1) Is it safe to work under your loader if it's up but the loader stick is locked??? Could it still come down???

2) When starting should the tractor be in neutral or in gear or does it not matter??? (It's an HST).

I know...probably more stupid newbe questions but hey...it's my first day on the job!

 

[will721]

1) Unless its chocked assume the loader can drop at any time. They make hydraulic ram blocks that you can use for that exact purpose.

2) Engine starting doesn't matter what gear in an hst.

 

[UnEasyRider]

1) Unless its chocked assume the loader can drop at any time. They make hydraulic ram blocks that you can use for that exact purpose.

2) Engine starting doesn't matter what gear in an hst.

Thank you

 

[Trustable]

i would recommend starting it in low/leaving it in low when you shut it off. I’ve had one close call with starting it on high and pressing treadle fully. Thank God i was pointed out the garage door and not on an angle. Has not happened again, I believe that was on the second day of owning it.

 

[nbryan]

1) Is it safe to work under your loader if it's up but the loader stick is locked??? Could it still come down???

NOT SAFE.

Loader lever locked or not.

Visualize one of the boom hydraulic cylinder lines bursting because of a defect, or further down the road from wear and tear and/or damage. Suddenly nothing is holding the ~1000lb of steel in the air.

OUCH and worse.

Only if necessary, as I've encountered when holding something up there with the loader like dressing a deer, I put a stout log upright under the loader to stop it from being able to fall on me, and set the emerg brake too of course.

Startup question may depend on model tractor, my B2650 starts in all HST ranges, N not needed.

 

[UnEasyRider]

i would recommend starting it in low/leaving it in low when you shut it off. I’ve had one close call with starting it on high and pressing treadle fully. Thank God i was pointed out the garage door and not on an angle. Has not happened again, I believe that was on the second day of owning it.

What is neutral used for if you start it in gear (low)???

 

[UnEasyRider]

NOT SAFE.

Loader lever locked or not.

Visualize one of the boom hydraulic cylinder lines bursting because of a defect, or further down the road from wear and tear and/or damage. Suddenly nothing is holding the ~1000lb of steel in the air.

OUCH and worse.

Only if necessary, as I've encountered when holding something up there with the loader like dressing a deer, I put a stout log upright under the loader to stop it from being able to fall on me, and set the emerg brake too of course.

Startup question may depend on model tractor, my B2650 starts in all HST ranges, N not needed.

I thought it wasn't safe too but just wanted to check with the experts. Thanks for replying!

 

[Trustable]

What is neutral used for if you start it in gear (low)???

Honestly maybe just getting towed? May want to verify that. I’ve literally never used it except when the dealer dropped it off and was showing how the gear selector works. Im sure kubota wants you to start in neutral for personal safety reasons but I don’t think there is any reason you have to.

 

[will721]

Neutral is for towing, I also prefer to lock in my 4wd in neutral just for zero load. Habit from trucks I suppose.

Just to add to the safety aspect of this post and to my previous comment for anyone that comes across it, never put yourself under any suspended load. That includes under the loader, under a car, under anything hanging from a crane or hoist, unless it is completely locked mechanically. Aka jack stands, hydraulic safety stops, ect. Brakes fail, hydraulics leak down or bypass, ropes break, ect.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Regarding working under the loader…I am sure there are other options and cheaper ideas, but here is an example of cylinder safety stops. This or something similar to prevent the stored energy from crushing you if working under it would be ounce of prevention IMO.

Tractor Loader Cylinder Safety Stops- Ask Tractor Mike

Tractor Loader cylinder safety stops for extra safety when you need to work in our around your tractor engine. Keeps loader up securely.

asktractormike.com

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I happen to have a set of these for my hoist and they work well for under the loader work.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-6809-U...sprefix=hoist+jack+stands,aps,142&sr=8-8&th=1

 

[TheOldHokie]

I happen to have a set of these for my hoist and they work well for under the loader work.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-6809-Underhoist-Self-Locking-Components/dp/B00AHIWN78/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2MLTHS8PG6BEZ&keywords=hoist+jack+stands&qid=1692354852&sprefix=hoist+jack+stands,aps,142&sr=8-8&th=1

Who woodda thunk it?

Dan

 

[NCL4701]

What is neutral used for if you start it in gear (low)???

Freewheeling so you can move it without the engine running. You may never need it.

May seem kind of useless but I’ve dealt with a few older dozers that had no neutral in the transmission and when they broke down it was either fix them where they sat, crane them onto a trailer, or pull apart whatever was necessary in the driveline to get the thing rolling. You can’t exactly pull a couple bolts and drop the driveshaft like you can with a road vehicle.

 

[UnEasyRider]

Who woodda thunk it?

Dan

View attachment 109505

Great idea!...thanks Dan

 

[UnEasyRider]

Freewheeling so you can move it without the engine running. You may never need it.

May seem kind of useless but I’ve dealt with a few older dozers that had no neutral in the transmission and when they broke down it was either fix them where they sat, crane them onto a trailer, or pull apart whatever was necessary in the driveline to get the thing rolling. You can’t exactly pull a couple bolts and drop the driveshaft like you can with a road vehicle.

Makes a lot of sense...thanks for posting that!

 

[Elliott in GA]

What is neutral used for if you start it in gear (low)???

Neutral is also used for stationary PTO use - things like chippers and generators.