[Ford-ferguson] a few questions

[Sebranek, Joseph G [AN S]]

Using the three point drawbar to "lift and pull" is a very dangerous
recommendation.  It is when the 3 point-mounted drawbar is used to lift
the hitch point above the tractor rear axle that pulling a heavy weight
with the drawbar in that position can then flip the tractor over
backwards.  The hitch MUST be made to the drawbar mounted on the
underside of the tractor, or the three point drawbar lowered below the
axle.  Then, with the force below the tractor axle the tractor wheels
will spin out rather than flip the tractor over. I never use the three
point drawbar for pulling anything significant because it's easy to
accidently raise the three point when pulling and that's when things can
happen.  Yes, a pulled log can get hung up on roots, etc. which is
something to watch out for but at least this will not flip the tractor
if the hitch is low.  In either case, skidding logs is very dangerous
for lots of reasons and is best left to those with the right
equipment(skidders) and the experience.

Joe



-----Original Message-----
From: ford-ferguson-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:ford-ferguson-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
soffiler at ct.metrocast.net
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 10:34 AM
To: Ford-Ferguson mailing list
Subject: Re: [Ford-ferguson] a few questions


----- Original Message Follows -----
From: schade at acegroup.cc

>I have two "drawbars". At least I think I do. One is a bar with a row  
>of holes that fit onto the bottom arms of my three point hitch. The  
>other is connected to the underside of the tractor. I have a ball on  
>that for my trailer.
>Which one is best to use for pulling heavy stuff?  A woman near here 
>had a Ford tractor come over on her near here last  fall while pulling 
>an old truck. She was killed.


Skidding logs out of the woods is very dangerous, deadly activity for a
farm tractor.  The problem is that the front edge of the log can get
hung up on just about anything that is protruding from the forest floor,
and that is a recipe for a backflipped tractor.  One thing you can do to
alleviate the danger somewhat is to use your 3-pt drawbar, and chain the
log right up tight against the drawbar so that the whole front of the
log is lifted right off the ground by the 3-pt.  This gives an effect
something like the curled-up tips of skis.  Go very very slowly.  Be
extremely careful on slopes.  Keep in mind ALWAYS that if your log gets
hung up, it will haul backward on the tractor and tend to backflip it.
Once it starts to go over backward things happen VERY fast and there's
usually no time to catch it.  If that's not worded strongly enough, I'll
repeat that SKIDDING LOGS CAN BE DEADLY.


Steve O.

_______________________________________________
Ford-ferguson mailing list
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/ford-ferguson