Look who's driving a tractor! (Week 7, Friday)

And, finally, this was the day I had been waiting for for nearly 2 months: I was thought how to drive a tractor!

Despite sitting in a pool of water that the waterproofs did not manage to keep out, this was really really enjoyable and I was so impressed how maneuverable it is, much more agile than a car, and no comparison with a Gator which is rather stiff.

Without a trailer, it is dead easy to drive around. With a trailer, reversing is a bit more complicated, as you have to turn the wheel the opposite way to where you want the trailer to go - will need practice on that.

Fuel filter

Fan belt

Air cleaner

To start with, I was run through some safety instructions and made aware of the 10 mph speed limit in the gardens, for the safety and comfort of visitors.

Then I got a quick look inside the bonnet (luckily we have a mechanic on site, so we have help at hand when needed, but I found the tractor manual online), before I was finally taught how to adjust the seating (if you are not sitting straight and square the engine turns off, for safety) and drive off:

• turning on the diesel engine
• turning up the revs
• using the range gear
• accelerating (speed control pedal forward) and reversing (speed control pedal backwards)



Range gear

• using the brake pedal and handbreak.

Driving console

My instructor asked me to take a few rounds around the yard, doing the odd safety stop (engine off and all) before teaching me how to attach the trailer:

Trailer brake

• reversing to align to the trailer
• safely firming the trailer pin
• lifting trailer jack stand completely so it's out of the way
• releasing brake
• attaching hydraulic pump

Hydraulic pump lever

Finally I was taught how to tip the trailer, and, the complicated stuff: how to reverse!






It was hard work, but at the end, both instructor and instructed seemed pleased. 

It was suggested I take a tractor on another rainy day when it's not needed and practice before the gardens' opening time, which I will be delighted to do. Some rain please...