02-25-2018, 07:23 AM | #1 |
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Old Habits
Learned to drive on an 8N (Ford tractor) and my dad warned me "always keep your thumbs outside the wheel or when you hit a bump it will spin the wheel and break them if they are inside" And of course he was right, that thin smooth wheel slipped in my grasp often enough to remind me and make it a habit that has stayed with me these many decades.
And I still occasionally get a refresher when I drive the old machine. My brother still keeps it in use though it is nearly 70 years old. Now after 30 years of FWD I am back into a RWD car, and just like riding a bicycle I still remember how to enjoy snow and ice. |
02-26-2018, 12:09 PM | #6 |
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I'd heard this about being in a car that was curb-hitting (move 'em or lose 'em for your thumbs) - but back in the days of straight un-assisted rack and pinions. They could transfer the hit right back through the column with a vicious spin of the wheel.
But for tractor stories, if it doesn't involve a near-death experience, or somebody losing a body part, then it isn't a REAL tractor story (OK, or if it involves transplanting a motor that used to be in a plane or boat). |
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03-03-2018, 03:56 PM | #7 |
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Well I do have a more adventurous tractor story,
When hauling logs out of the woods to make firewood Dad had me sit my 60 pounds on the hood to keep it from going sky high. Didn't make any difference so we only tried that once. |
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03-08-2018, 11:27 AM | #9 |
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I spent half a summer vacation one year modding a yard tractor so that it would sky the front end when you floored it (OK, helping somebody mod it - those early 'gateway drugs'....).
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03-08-2018, 12:55 PM | #10 |
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Another habit I've been getting into is the push and pull while avoiding keeping your arms over the middle of the steering wheel in case you get into an accident that deploys the airbag and then is much less effective.
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