Inside Tractor Cab

Continuing with the previous post's subject matter......now we'll have a short tutorial inside the tractor cab. Each spring, I have to get reacquainted with all the levers and gauges.

Obviously, in the first photo we see the steering wheel and to its right is the shift lever for changing gears. I didn't use that lever at all yesterday.......it was set in fourth gear, which was where I left it. The steering is power, thus very easy to use.

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More levers shown below.......the orange one is my favorite.......the throttle!! Vroom-vroom......let's go faster......show off that power!! The lever above the throttle is for high or low speed, high being the one I used yesterday. So, I was driving in 4th gear, high range, C level, front-wheel assist, wide open throttle. Got that?? The other levers shown are for hydraulics......the far right one raises and lowers the chisel plow, into and out of the ground.

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Below are some necessities......my gloves, just in case......my cell phone, just in case......my camera case, duh, because I brought my camera along.......and most importantly, a Cherry Coke!

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The brake pedals are shown in the photo below. They are extremely crucial to know about when you are doing fieldwork, for they allow you to successfully do a sharp U-turn at each end of the field. There is a bar which will flip down to connect the pedals......you would use that if you were driving on the road. But, here in the field, we leave the pedals separated. To turn sharp left, you step on the left brake, which allows the tractor to sort of pivot on the left rear tire, helping to make the sharp turn-around. Ditto for making a right U-turn......using the right brake pedal. Let's see......I first learned about using brakes in turning, long, long ago when I was a kid driving a John Deere A. (That other pedal in the photo is a throttle pedal, I think......which I never use.) If you tried to turn in the field dirt without using the brake pedals, you would end up sliding into the fence or ditch, or whatever is at the end of your field. Not a good idea.****************************************

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One last thing........here's a couple more mirrors........one inside the cab, and one on the outside, allowing rear viewing from various angles. Absolutely, you must keep a close eye on whatever your tractor is pulling! You never know when part of your implement might become detached, or some other freakish thing may happen.......that seems to occur especially if you're not paying attention. I speak from experience!

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This is the newest tractor we own, although certainly not anywhere near new anymore. It is, however, a pleasure to drive, in my opinion. It sports a nicely working radio, and air conditioning, which was needed yesterday. The seat also is very comfortable, having shocks or something in it to absorb the rough bumps that are inevitably part of any drive across a farm field. This tractor cab also has an extra seat next to the driver's seat, in case two people need to be in the cab. I could have used that when the kids were little, but we didn't have this tractor then.