How do I remind myself to take it out of 4WD?

[Shadetree03]

It seems my short term memory can fail me when I change the set up on the tractor. I just remembered that I left the L2501 in 4WD after moving some dirt and parked it in the carport. I went out and shoved the lever back down, so it should be okay when I fire up again.

Has anyone come up with a reminder tag to hang on the dash to remind them when 1) the ROPS and roof is up so they dont drag it into the doorframe 2) engage light or tag when it is in 4WD so they can take it out?

 

[JackJ]

I struggle with this too. A dramatic mishaps with the garage door (mostly noise rather than damage, fortunately) eventually got me in the habit of remember to lower the ROPS. I also try to follow a routine of letting the machine idle for a few minutes outside the garage in order to cool down, and that's when I step off to blow away and dust/debris with the air compressor and double check the ROPS.

As for 4WD, I'm now attuned to slightly different sound/vibration, and that does catch my attention if I'm on asphalt.

My bigger issue is remembering to switch back to low range after road travel. Lately I'm not catching that until I hit an incline where the louder HST whine alerts me.

 

[hope to float]

I am trying to figure out how to attach a door light switch to the tractor so that when you pull up the lever it will give a light somewhere on the dash. I do quite a bit of road travel between jobs which are usually done in 4 wheel drive.

 

[85Hokie]

I am trying to figure out how to attach a door light switch to the tractor so that when you pull up the lever it will give a light somewhere on the dash. I do quite a bit of road travel between jobs which are usually done in 4 wheel drive.

What you need is a normally open push button switch - much like a safety seat switch,
as the lever is pushed forward - the switch closes, light on, and once pulled back, light off. Would need to work it into the running circuit of the electrical. If not IT would always be ON if parked in 4wd

 

[G.rid]

I've thought of a light for fwd, but I've also drive away with the parking brake on, and that had a light!

An idea for your rops. Mount a stick to the front some where out of the way of the loader. Use a piece of pipe to mount it in, so it lifts out easy. Cut it to the same hight as your rops. Could use wood or plastic or even an old metal radio antenna. The idea is, when you back out of the garage to let the tractor warm up, and put up your rops, put up the stick at the same time. If looking at the stick while driving in to the garage doesn't remind you, as soon as it snaps or bends, it should get your attention...... without any damage to the door.

It's the same concept as the lead escort vehicle for an over hight load going down the highway. If that pole snaps, someone didn't do there homework!

Thinking more about it as I typed it out, I'd look for a long antenna in a scrap yard. That way if you're under trees a lot it will also warn you without snapping a piece of dowel every time. I may do this even though I don't park in a garage. I've already ripped the clothes line off the house with the backhoe up. I cleared with the canopy but forgot the hoe!

Good luck
I'll be watching for ideas on the fwd indicators.

 

[D2Cat]

Just use an old CB antenna with the magnetic base.

I use one of those on my bale stinger in the back of my PU. It's an extended cab with a welder and "stuff" in the back. Can't see if the stinger is level with the ground when backing up. Put the magnetic base on the metal so the antenna is straight up when stinger is level. Problem solved. Used it for years.

 

[Benhameen]

I’ve had the same problem. Not taking the parking brake off was an issue early on for me as well. The L3800 doesn’t have an indicator light on the dash for either.

The only way I found to fix it for me personally was to make it part of my strart up procedure. First thing I do is put my foot on the brake to disengage the parking brake then look down at the 4wd lever. Now it’s just second nature.

 

[Lil Foot]

Discussed this with an old boy with a Mahindra a couple years ago. He drops an old athletic sock (bright orange) over the 4wd lever when he engages it to remind him. When disengaged, it hangs on the fender handrail.

 

[D2Cat]

Bill, that seems a bit humorous. If he can remember to put the sock over the lever, then he should be able to remember to release the lever!

 

[Shadetree03]

Thanks Guys - I really like the aerial antenna idea - maybe I can find one with a magnetic base at a garage sale...I'll have to look for an orange sock

 

[Lil Foot]

Bill, that seems a bit humorous. If he can remember to put the sock over the lever, then he should be able to remember to release the lever!

After talking to him, I think it was a factor of how much time passed. If he only needed 4wd for a few minutes, he remembered- but after a whole day, he needed the sock as a visual reminder as he walked away from the tractor.

 

[Al2]

Paul Short or 4shorts is the Kubota Go to Guy. Check out how he put a 4 wheel drive indicator light on his Kubota here: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...301958-4wd-indicator-light.html?highlight=4wd
Al