Tell me what NOT to do!

[ve9aa]

Check your tire pressures from time to time...ESPECIALLY if you're going to do loader work.
I have an ultra slow leak in 1 front tire and flattened it one day when picking up a medium load with the FEL.

Always go up or down a steep hill...never across it.

 

[Biker1mike]

If you think what you are doing may be a stupid idea, it most likely is. Stop and look for an alternative measure.
Ask these guys here for technical stuff. A world of info,

 

[nbryan]

Turn the tractor OFF if you are doing ANYTHING that involves being near the PTO.

And to be certain, remove the ignition key if you're not completely alone while working on the PTO.

 

[Farmer J]

Howdy from OK! I’m new here but not to machines.

Congrats on the new tractor! Treat it well and with respect and it will serve you well. A couple points to consider, some mentioned above, some not:
As stated, read the book and then read it again later to digest. Take time to familiarize yourself with the machine, controls, indicators, etc…. Do a walk around WITH the manual in hand so you are familiar with the safety features, fluid fills, fluid checks, filters, grease fittings, etc… Then take it for a couple test cruises, just to get familiar with handling, throttle, braking, and how the hydro tranny works and responds.

Check the tire pressure and all fluids initially and then regularly there after. Make yourself a simple checklist or a journal to document repairs, fluid changes, mods, problems, etc…

Check the wheel spacing: Many if not all machines come with wheels in the narrow configuration from shipping. This is not always the best set up for you. Read up on the subject. Also read about tire ballast, wheel weights and rear ballast so you are informed and can make the adjustments / additions needed for your conditions.

it’s been said above, but worth repeating, when driving, keep the bucket low until you need it higher- below the hood is a good general point of reference for most machines. Heed the advice on when to use 4wd, how to traverse hills, steep grades, etc…

Enjoy the new tractor, it should make work on your property easier, and be enjoyabl. And be forewarned, they have a way of spending your money!

 

[leveraddict]

Howdy. I just bought a brand new L3560HST. Got a bucket and a mower too. I have never owned or operated any of this equipment. Looking for advice on things one shouldn't do. Like: "don't drive perpendicular through a ditch with your mower attached, you'll break the PTO shaft!"
Should do's are ok too. I'm reading the manual, so that should cover most maintenance type things.

Ballast!
If your lifting heavy weight in the bucket you rear tires could come off the ground! If that happens going down a slope you will get in trouble really fast! At that point the brakes may not even help you. Dropping the bucket to the ground will get you back in control! Dont ask me how I know! A ballast box or heavy implement on the back and or fluid filled rear tires are needed!

 

[mikester]

Howdy. I just bought a brand new L3560HST. Got a bucket and a mower too. I have never owned or operated any of this equipment. Looking for advice on things one shouldn't do. Like: "don't drive perpendicular through a ditch with your mower attached, you'll break the PTO shaft!"
Should do's are ok too. I'm reading the manual, so that should cover most maintenance type things.

ANSWER: Avoid posting open ended non-specific questions to anonymous usergroups asking for advice on what you should or should not do.

 

[DustyRusty]

Keep the shiny side up, and the greasy side down, it is the most important thing to do with your tractor.

 

[steveh]

When I bought my first tractor, mid-90s, dealer took me to the back lot and showed me two Kubotas that were a real mess. Each had rolled over, one down a hillside an the other down into a creekbed. Both drivers lived and were ok, and both were wearing the seat belt. Might want to consider making the seat belt a habit.

Note: assuming you are using the ROPS.

 

[hagrid]

Tell me what NOT to do!

Trust a fart after a night of heavy drinking.

 

[Bugzilla46310]

Don’t drive it like you stole it!

 

[minthral]

Don't run the tractor unless you're using it (sitting in the driver's seat).
Don't operate it under influence.
Don't forget to do maintenance (greasing etc).
Don't operate it fast on slopes and uneven terrain.
Don't use oversized or undersized implements on it.
Don't forget to set the park brake when getting off.
Don't forget to put on seat belt.
Don't use the tractor around kids or pets.
Don't transport it using an undersized trailer or truck.
Don't let others loan or operate it.

 

[Clint from Flint]

If the bucket is loaded, keep the bucket LOW and the speed SLOW

 

[Fordtech86]

Don’t let the kids learn how to drive them!!!

Next thing you know, they figure out how to unlock the brakes and cut donuts in the yard

or digholes

And yes, I’ve read all the warning labels

 

[UnionParish45]

Along with all of the stuff already written, I will pass on a mistake I made with my first tractor purchased a little over a year ago. Develop a routine for making sure the parking brake is off when using the tractor. It will move with the parking brake on and eventually start smoking. Also, don’t trust the parking brake to hold the tractor when you are parking. Drop the FEL and implement, too.

 

[ScottHam]

Howdy. I just bought a brand new L3560HST. Got a bucket and a mower too. I have never owned or operated any of this equipment. Looking for advice on things one shouldn't do. Like: "don't drive perpendicular through a ditch with your mower attached, you'll break the PTO shaft!"
Should do's are ok too. I'm reading the manual, so that should cover most maintenance type things.

I'll picking mine up next week, so I think I'll piggy back off your thread if you don't mind

 

[notaz3]

Don’t let the kids learn how to drive them!!!

View attachment 86311
View attachment 86316
Next thing you know, they figure out how to unlock the brakes and cut donuts in the yard

or digholes

View attachment 86317


And yes, I’ve read all the warning labels

I had some ruts where my son locked the brakes and did droughts. He thought it was great that I made him run the box blade over to smooth it back out.

 

[PNWL3560]

Thanks everyone, and keep em coming. I do have ballast in the tires and I had the dealer set the tires to the widest setting. I will be working on hills and in a creek bed. Probably have it in 4wd all the time. Good tip to check all lubrication in case dealer missed.

 

[sheepfarmer]

If no one else mentioned it, don't ignore those flashing lights on the dash, and do read the sections in the owner's manual on how to take your tractor through a regeneration cycle.


Here is a link to some new owner hints on this topic. It was written with an L3560 so should look familiar to you.

DPF operating hints: calling all owners of new tractors

After reading lots of posts where people were not sure what was involved in managing a new Tier IV tractor outfitted with the emissions reduction equipment, and remembering that I had a lot of trouble making sense out of the directions in the operator's manual, I started a thread (see sticky in...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[botaskinner]

Grab your manual and a torque wrench and verify proper torque of lug bolts, loader subframes, and any other fastener the manual refers to.

And make sure your loader pivot points are well greased, in other words don't assume the dealer prepped everything correctly.

 

[johnjk]

Lots of good tips. Measure the height of the ROPs and the height of your garage door opening before you try to dive in the garage the first time.
Check all bolts for proper torque and recheck wheel nuts at least every other use.

As for speed ranges, L is for Loader, M is for mowing, 3 point work or brush hogging and H is for traveling (Highway).
Invest in a good grease gun and hit all those zerks. I do my mower every 3 mows and my FEL after every other use or every use if it is raining or snowing. I error on the side of too much grease vs not enough. Check all fluids including your front differential if 4wd.
Download a shop manual and get to know your machine even better.
Not really related to the Orange but look at getting a larger fuel storage tank that you can either pump or pull in fuel from those 5 gal cans. Much easier to hold a nozzle in the tank and turn the handle to fuel. I currently have a 30gal tank and will be upgrading to 100gal once my barn is done.