[AJD] PURCHASER OF # 5 MOWER?

[Robert M. Massengale]

Jim & Duane -

I sure do thank you for your concerns and taking the time to send me some really 
valuable information.  I will readily admit to an excitement about my "new" B that 
lends itself to creating an environment where I could overextend myself.  I'll take 
both of your cautions to heart.  I've already given some thought to the hand 
operated clutch... that's definitely going to be interesting and take some adapting to.  
I did some online reading yesterday that provides some scary support to Duane's 
warnings about mixing up the foot and the hand.  The story (with pictures) 
addressed itself to a fellow new to the tractor world who had a "new" B at a tractor 
show.  The show was over and he was loading his tractor on his trailer.  There is a 
series of pictures that show his very nicely restored "B" laying on it's side on the 
ground beside the tractor.  Speculation is that as he backed the "B" up onto the 
flatbed trailer it got going faster than he intended and hit the foot clutch (brake) 
instead of the hand clutch.  You don't need to use your imagination... the pictures 
are at 

http://www.johnnypopper.com/weirddeere/Crash.html

Thanks again to both of you for sharing your experience.

Mike
Robert M. Massengale
Fredericksburg, Texas 78642

> Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 11:53:09 -0600
> From: "Duane Ledford" <dledford at classicnet.net>
> Subject: Re: [AJD] PURCHASER OF # 5 MOWER?
> To: "Antique John Deere mailing list"
>  <antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Message-ID: <001c01c4dee1$1ca9e280$0200a8c0 at MOMANDPOP>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>  reply-type=original
> 
> Mike,
> 
> Jim's story about his father prompts me to put my $.02 in. Before you
> use any equipment with your new tractor, become very comfortable with
> using the hand clutch and driving the tractor in general. Have heard
> and read more than one story about someone new to the hand clutch
> getting in a tight spot. Instead of reaching for the clutch lever,
> they will push in on the left brake as if it were the clutch. The end
> result was usually not good. Using the hand clutch needs to become
> second nature. Pushing the brakes might slow you down a bit, but most
> likely will not stop you. When you start using things like a sickle
> mower, the need to be comfortable with the hand clutch is that much
> more important. The risks of injury are much higher once you start
> using implements. You have to be able to watch what your implement is
> doing as well as where you are going. Basically you are running two
> machines at one time. You need to be prepared for the unexpected.
> 
> This summer I was mowing a field with my JD B and #5 mower. Just got
> started making the first pass, so I was close to the edge of the
> field. There were large bales stacked along the outer edge from
> another cutting. I knew they were there and thought I was watching to
> be sure I didn't get too close to them. Got into a tough patch of
> grass and was paying attention to the mower when all of a sudden the
> tractor's left side started going up. Had ran the left rear tire up
> onto a bale that was sticking out more than the others. Wasn't going
> too fast due to the cutting conditions and was able to pull the clutch
> lever in time to prevent the tractor and myself from rolling on over.
> Was able to carefully back off of the bale with no harm done except a
> large dent in the bale and a ruined pair of shorts. Slow ground speed,
> practice with using the hand clutch and the good Lord saved my bacon
> that day. If I had stomped on the left brake as if it were the clutch,
> I probably wouldn't be typing this message today. Practice, practice
> and practice some more.
> 
> Duane
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Robinson" <jjranch at nebnet.net>
> To: "Antique John Deere mailing list" 
> <antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 10:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [AJD] PURCHASER OF # 5 MOWER?
> 
> 
> > Mike,
> >
> > Just another tip to pass along if you intend on using the mower and
> > have never ran one before.
> >
> > Always use the shields, shut of the tractor and disengage the pto
> > before dismounting, wear gloves (mowers can be finger cutting /
> > pinching son of guns), never try and mow where you shouldn't, and
> > always think before you do.
> >
> > My father had one of those small "red " tractors flip over about 40
> > years ago when he was mowing around a bale pile and ran over a bale
> > that was on the ground and hidden. Thank God the bar folded up and
> > held the seat up off him so he wasn't crushed. Happened in a second
> > with no chance of getting clear!!!! I am sure other members have had
> > experiences with mowers that they can advise you about.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
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