Tractor 101
***NOTE*** This lesson plan is geared towards the operation of a New Holland Boomer 35; nearly all of the information is transferable to most small farm tractors. However, it is very important when operating any tractor that one has a solid fundamental understanding of the particular tractor s nuances, level and gear positions, and safe operating guidelines. This information can be found in the operating manual.
Objectives Become familiar with the parts of the New Holland Boomer 35 Learn how to start and operate the tractor Learn what the features of the tractor are and how to use them Learn basic tractor safety principles
Key Words Throttle - the orange lever sticking out of the right side of the dash equipped with a turtle and rabbit symbol Clutch Pedal a single pedal found on the left side of your foot controls (Note: the New Holland Boomer does not have a clutch, it is automatic) Forward and Reverse Pedals these pedals can be found on the right side of your foot controls. It makes the tractor go forward or backward. The forward pedal is on the left, the reverse pedal on the right.
Key Words Brake Pedals these pedals sit on the left side and can be operated as one pedal or split to brake the individual rear wheels Power Take Off (PTO) used to power a tiller, auger, or any other implement that is actively driven by the tractor s engine Forks an attachment placed on the front of the tractor used to move objects (can move pallets) Three-Point Hitch Hydraulic- used to raise and lower the implement positioned on the rear of the tractor
Key Words Implement any piece of equipment that can be attached to the tractor. It may utilize the tractor s engine for operation (PTO) Hitch Lever used to raise the implement Front Bucket Loader large bucket at the front of the tractor used for scooping up large loads and moving heavy objects Ball Lever lever used to operate the Front Bucket Loader
Upper Controls Throttle Headlight Controls Horn Ignition
Pedals and Side Controls Ball Lever Forward Pedal Reverse Pedal Hitch Lever
Basic Operations
Starting the Tractor Turn the key to the right one click until the light from the glow plugs turns on and off again Press the clutch Turn the key all the way to the right until the engine turns over
Starting the Tractor On cold mornings, the choke may be required Pull the choke (near the key) all the way out As you turn the engine over slowly, push the choke back in until the engine starts
Starting the Tractor IMPORTANT: The throttle must be pushed all the way in the upward position before starting the tractor This way the tractor will warm up in the idle position, which is very important with any diesel engine
Throttle Control You will find the throttle sticking out of the right side of the dash. It is an orange lever equipped with a turtle and rabbit symbol Pulling down on the lever toward the rabbit increases the amount of fuel fed into the engine This increases the RPMs and available power to the tractor
Features of the Tractor
Power Take Off (PTO)
Power Take Off (PTO) Used for powering a tiller, auger, or any other implement that is actively driven by the tractors engine Can be located at the back of the tractor Used by hooking up the PTO drive shaft to the PTO and running the engine so the tachometer reads 540 RPMs
Power Take Off (PTO) To engage the PTO, the clutch must be depressed. Once the clutch is depressed, you may shift the PTO level forward and then slowly release the clutch pedal to begin spinning the PTO The lever can be found next to your right hip on the tractor
Power Take Off (PTO) It is important not to shock load This happens when the clutch is popped and the engine is revved to a running RPM level Shock loading the PTO stresses the metal on the tractor and the implement being driven To avoid this, run the tractor s engine with the lowest RPM s possible when taking your foot off the clutch and engaging the implement
Three-Point Hitch Hydraulic
Three-Point Hitch Hydraulic The hydraulic unit and three-point hitch system is designed to raise and lower the implement positioned on the rear of the tractor The hydraulic is used to determine the operating depth of both active (PTO driven) and passive implements This will determine the depth of tillage, subsoil ripping, plowing etc. of any giving implement in usage
Three-Point Hitch Hydraulic The lever that controls the three-point hitch can be found on the right side of the tractor driver s body around knee height If the lever is pushed towards the ground at maximum depth, the implement will be forced down as far as it may go by the hydraulics of the tractor
Front Bucket Loader A fork can also be attached to the Front Bucket Loader for moving pallets
Front Bucket Loader Used for scooping up large loads and moving heavy objects or masses of earth Hydraulically operated using the ball lever located on the right hand side of the tractor directly across from the driver s shoulder There are four main movements of the ball lever. Each movement is accomplished by moving the lever in the primary directions (North, South, East, West)
Front Bucket Loader There are two different ranges of motions available to you when using the front loader The arm of the bucket may be raised or lowered The bucket may be tilted forward or backward The controls are reversed To raise the arm of the bucket, pull down on ball lever To lower the arm, push up on the ball lever
Front Bucket Loader To dump the bucket, move the ball lever to your right To tilt the bucket back, move the ball lever to your left
Front Bucket Loader There are four other movements that incorporate both ranges of motion simultaneously. They move the arm and bucket at the same time Require more skill and experience and will make your movements more fluid
Front Bucket Loader Click play to view a short video:
Basic Tractor Safety Principles
Basic Tractor Safety Principles Always wear your seatbelt! Most tractors are equipped with a roll over protection device that is built to protect you if the tractor rolls. A seatbelt will save you from getting crushed! Never stand near a spinning PTO! The PTO and connected drive shaft spins with incredible force. Keep clothing and body parts away from the spinning shaft, or risk dismemberment and death!
Basic Tractor Safety Principles Do not rest arms or hands in the joints of any hydraulic part! Or risk dismemberment. Never put your hands inside or around active implements when the tractor is running! Turn off tractor if any jamming or other obstructions occur when using PTO driven implements
Basic Tractor Safety Principles Do not operate tractor on a dangerous slope! Be aware of rollover dangers Always move very slowly when moving heavy loads in the bucket! Driving with a heavy load greatly changes the balance and stability of the tractor. Heavy loads encourage tipping and rolling When moving a heavy front load, always have weight on the back to prevent tipping forward
Basic Tractor Safety Principles Always operate wide-front tractors. Operating narrow-front tractors can be extremely dangerous. They can be retrofitted easily for a couple hundred dollars (picture here) Be sure to familiarize yourself with your tractor before use!!! Read the manual thoroughly
Extra Resources Loader Operational Video Tractor Safety Video
Images http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/ 42-15677083/little-boy-pulling-wagon-with-pedal-tractor http://www.mne.psu.edu/sommer/xkl/tractor/tractorfy1/ http://forums.popphoto.com/showthread.php?623012-a-woman-s- Work-Is-Never-Done http://www.rbuenasuerte.com/eng/us/ http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1594903/photographmassey-ferguson-man-on-tractor-nairobi-kenya-1969 http://salmonslayer-simplelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/planting-inrain.html http://fillysbestfriend.blogspot.com/2013/02/this-moment-seebeautiful-snow-dogs.html