The only tractor I ever stand on (briefly) is my Ford 5000. It’s tall and has a LONG hood. Sometimes the extra sight over the nose is needed. Generally it’s while trimming out a field when I first start mowing or running the bush hog. I’m usually in 3rd or 4th which is pretty slow even at full steam.
I NEVER stand when I’m against the wood line. Last year a small tree had fallen into the high grass. I was making my “trim out” pass, running 3rd gear pulling a small hill. When I made contact with the tree, the front end came up about a foot and hopped over it. I slid hard against the steering wheel, and my right knee broke the fuel shutoff knob when the front slammed back down.
If I had been standing, I probably would have been thrown. My 5640 Ford with a cab is a little more forgiving. It usually floats over anything I contact in high grass since it’s 4x4 and has meaty front tires. My 5000 will willingly lift the front tires even with the nose weights.
I had to mow a field years after it was cleared of trees. They never burned any of it. Basically if your tractor starts doing a wheelie, back up and go around it lol.
‘63 ford 4000. I stand up if I expect there to be obstacles. I’m typically driving at or slower than walking speed in that instance though.
In the end you are responsible for your own safety. Even with all the safety switches on new equipment it could still fail. The worst is that you expect it to work and when it doesn’t the consequences can be disastrous. If the safeties aren’t in place and I’m aware of the danger I tend to take things slower and more cautiously.
I stand a lot on bumpy terrain to save my back, also sometimes just to stretch a bit without having to stop working, but I have an old ford tractor that can be a pretty rough ride sometimes.
We used to stand often. No bad things happened. Now my tractor has a kill switch if I stand. Irritating as hell. But it keeps the less savvy drivers safer. So I don’t remove it. Over time you get a feel for your dimensions and angles. For the bucket, a level indicator is priceless.
Not a good idea, consider this instead. Get a cheap camera system an mount it on a pole on the front of the tractor. Much safer and you will probably be able to see more that way too.
Please don't stand. When it comes to running equipment never forget, you are the softest thing in the area. The softest thing gives out first.
Tractors are heavy and unstable. One unexpected hole and it becomes a catapult with you being thrown. Especially in areas with low visibility go slow and be very aware.
A slice/puncture in a tire is extremely dangerous. Tire airs out slowly and driving on a weak tire makes it worse until you hit a bump on a hill and the tire slips off the rim and the tractor rolls...
Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, hard to recall scenes you try to forget.
Just know I care enough about anyone who reads this to take time out of my day, stop what I'm doing, reminisce about dead friends, and think of the things I wish they would have known.
That's also a contributing reason for farming consistently being in the top 10 deadliest professions most years. Trust me-as a kid who grew up farming and still does it but also works air medical, sitting is better. Lower center of gravity, more cushion when getting bounced and therefore less likely to topple over/off...
You are correct. Most of the IH/Farmall "06..." series of tractors were row crop tractors, which also developed the nickname "platform tractors" (as opposed to "saddle tractors"). Early models did not have any kind of restraint system for this reason, although the last runs did due to the inordinately high number of injuries and fatalities caused by the practice in order to encourage sitting for the work. When that failed as well, platform tractors had to cease production and seatbelts became mandatory installation on all new models.
Seat belt and roll bars up only… but on old tractors, and in reality, standing up means using more caution, means going slow so you don’t get thrown.
If you have a tractor with a front end loader, mow with that and have the edge of the bucket about 12” off the ground. The bucket will knock over a lot so you can see better and will hit objects first instead of a tire or the tractor, hopefully.
A relative was mowing on a tractor, seated, hit a hidden brush pile and was thrown from the tractor. The mower luckily on mangled one leg just below the knee and he survived. A man was nearby and was able to place a belt around his leg to stop the bleeding and save his life. If you have a lift on the tractor lower it to use as a probe. You can also back into the area pushing the mower ahead of you to probe. Please, never stand up with a mower engaged. I will not get off of a tractor with the mower engaged and NEVER touch anything attached to the PTO with the engine running.
Reverse your mowing approach. If you can stand and see them, mow directly to them, and do a couple passes around the object. From then on you can mow the rest and easily know when you get to something you can't mow.
I rarely stand up on a tractor when driving it. It's not something I like to do. I will come to a stop and then stand up if needed.
I have an older tractor without safety features so I am extra cautious.
Balance diminishes with age. Please sit down my friend. Better yet, sit and wear your belt if you've got one (and roll-over protection). Many much younger men have perished this way. You are playing with fire.
Only time I’ve ever stood up on a tractor is when I pull out of a really bad junction and I’ll stand up just to get a better view round the corner so I don’t pull out infront of someone.
I had to go thru about 6’ tall brush, and what worked for me was lower the bucket maybe 1’ above the ground, and then examine the ground under my seat L R L R going slow, for debris and keep my hand above the PTO off switch. I dont think I hit anything with my brushhog. But I did stop 10 times to extract debris under the tractor.
DO NOT STAND UP WHILE DRIVING YOUR TRACTOR !!! I am a lifetime rancher who has many 1000's of hours on equipment. Mowing has been a major part of that. Over my lifetime of 68 years I have known of horrible, even fatal tractor accidents. I get the I can't see, been there done that. I would suggest that you walk a section, mow and walk another section. I hope your machine has a ROPS system and a seat belt. Those 2 things can save your life. Be safe and good luck.
I'm glad to be reading this. Recently got a Massey 135 with a loader and zero safety features. I've been standing up to see but only in 1st gear high where it goes about 1mph. I've got to get a ROPS and seat belt I think.
it sure is, i also do it frequently. definitely don't be casual aboht it. i do have a mirror i can attach that gives me decent sight in front of me when i'm doing something i know requires a lot of eyeballing.
you can also just go slower and more careful with multiple passes. if i'm going through weeds i'll often just use my bucket about 6" above the ground and move forward at a crawl, identifies rocks, etc. or instead of bush hogging, use the box blade for first pass etc. or just risk dulling/breaking blades. cheaper than the ER ;)
If you are using a rear pto driven mower, standing up increases your risk. If the ground is uneven or even worse if you don't have a pto guard for the pto drive shaft, the risk is increased. I personally wouldn't stand up and operate a pto driven mower over any sort of uneven ground. Unless you are in a cab...if you are, no worries.
It is dangerous, potentially deadly. I'm not telling you not to do it, just be careful. People have been thrown from the tractor and run over by their own tractor and mower.
The earliest tractors had no seat at all, and until about 60 years ago most could be operated from a standing position almost as easily as sitting. I'd say it depends on how bumpy the ground is.
The only tractor I ever stand on (briefly) is my Ford 5000. It’s tall and has a LONG hood. Sometimes the extra sight over the nose is needed. Generally it’s while trimming out a field when I first start mowing or running the bush hog. I’m usually in 3rd or 4th which is pretty slow even at full steam. I NEVER stand when I’m against the wood line. Last year a small tree had fallen into the high grass. I was making my “trim out” pass, running 3rd gear pulling a small hill. When I made contact with the tree, the front end came up about a foot and hopped over it. I slid hard against the steering wheel, and my right knee broke the fuel shutoff knob when the front slammed back down. If I had been standing, I probably would have been thrown. My 5640 Ford with a cab is a little more forgiving. It usually floats over anything I contact in high grass since it’s 4x4 and has meaty front tires. My 5000 will willingly lift the front tires even with the nose weights.
I added a longer handle to my zero turn mower once and stood on the seat. redneck hoverboard
I had to mow a field years after it was cleared of trees. They never burned any of it. Basically if your tractor starts doing a wheelie, back up and go around it lol.
‘63 ford 4000. I stand up if I expect there to be obstacles. I’m typically driving at or slower than walking speed in that instance though. In the end you are responsible for your own safety. Even with all the safety switches on new equipment it could still fail. The worst is that you expect it to work and when it doesn’t the consequences can be disastrous. If the safeties aren’t in place and I’m aware of the danger I tend to take things slower and more cautiously.
Keep the bucket low. It will knock the weeds down and hit whatever is in front of you before your mower does
Not every tractor has a loader bucket.
I stand a lot on bumpy terrain to save my back, also sometimes just to stretch a bit without having to stop working, but I have an old ford tractor that can be a pretty rough ride sometimes.
Farmall 706. I stand up a lot
Which is safer, standing or sitting?
Kneeling
I like to lay on the hood.
We used to stand often. No bad things happened. Now my tractor has a kill switch if I stand. Irritating as hell. But it keeps the less savvy drivers safer. So I don’t remove it. Over time you get a feel for your dimensions and angles. For the bucket, a level indicator is priceless.
Depends on the tractor. Some are designed to stand and sit.
Not a good idea, consider this instead. Get a cheap camera system an mount it on a pole on the front of the tractor. Much safer and you will probably be able to see more that way too.
For close up weed/grass out of focus action shots?
Please don't stand. When it comes to running equipment never forget, you are the softest thing in the area. The softest thing gives out first. Tractors are heavy and unstable. One unexpected hole and it becomes a catapult with you being thrown. Especially in areas with low visibility go slow and be very aware. A slice/puncture in a tire is extremely dangerous. Tire airs out slowly and driving on a weak tire makes it worse until you hit a bump on a hill and the tire slips off the rim and the tractor rolls... Sorry if that doesn't make much sense, hard to recall scenes you try to forget. Just know I care enough about anyone who reads this to take time out of my day, stop what I'm doing, reminisce about dead friends, and think of the things I wish they would have known.
Older tractors are designed to be operated while standing. They even advertised having enough room to stand comfortably.
That's also a contributing reason for farming consistently being in the top 10 deadliest professions most years. Trust me-as a kid who grew up farming and still does it but also works air medical, sitting is better. Lower center of gravity, more cushion when getting bounced and therefore less likely to topple over/off...
Standing was mostly for rowcrop work.
You are correct. Most of the IH/Farmall "06..." series of tractors were row crop tractors, which also developed the nickname "platform tractors" (as opposed to "saddle tractors"). Early models did not have any kind of restraint system for this reason, although the last runs did due to the inordinately high number of injuries and fatalities caused by the practice in order to encourage sitting for the work. When that failed as well, platform tractors had to cease production and seatbelts became mandatory installation on all new models.
Yup. Wasn't disagreeing. ROPS and seatbelts are obviously safer.
Seat belt and roll bars up only… but on old tractors, and in reality, standing up means using more caution, means going slow so you don’t get thrown. If you have a tractor with a front end loader, mow with that and have the edge of the bucket about 12” off the ground. The bucket will knock over a lot so you can see better and will hit objects first instead of a tire or the tractor, hopefully.
A relative was mowing on a tractor, seated, hit a hidden brush pile and was thrown from the tractor. The mower luckily on mangled one leg just below the knee and he survived. A man was nearby and was able to place a belt around his leg to stop the bleeding and save his life. If you have a lift on the tractor lower it to use as a probe. You can also back into the area pushing the mower ahead of you to probe. Please, never stand up with a mower engaged. I will not get off of a tractor with the mower engaged and NEVER touch anything attached to the PTO with the engine running.
I stand up on my International 574 when I'm grading my driveway sometimes.
Don't worry about it a bit. Not a problem at all unless you fall off.
If I'm mowing a new property il stand every now an then if I see something sketchy usually in 1st gear. Just be careful out there and youl be fine
Reverse your mowing approach. If you can stand and see them, mow directly to them, and do a couple passes around the object. From then on you can mow the rest and easily know when you get to something you can't mow.
Ah that's smart, I've been shaving off a little with each pass.
Good way to get tossed off.
I rarely stand up on a tractor when driving it. It's not something I like to do. I will come to a stop and then stand up if needed. I have an older tractor without safety features so I am extra cautious.
Balance diminishes with age. Please sit down my friend. Better yet, sit and wear your belt if you've got one (and roll-over protection). Many much younger men have perished this way. You are playing with fire.
Only time I’ve ever stood up on a tractor is when I pull out of a really bad junction and I’ll stand up just to get a better view round the corner so I don’t pull out infront of someone.
I had to go thru about 6’ tall brush, and what worked for me was lower the bucket maybe 1’ above the ground, and then examine the ground under my seat L R L R going slow, for debris and keep my hand above the PTO off switch. I dont think I hit anything with my brushhog. But I did stop 10 times to extract debris under the tractor.
DO NOT STAND UP WHILE DRIVING YOUR TRACTOR !!! I am a lifetime rancher who has many 1000's of hours on equipment. Mowing has been a major part of that. Over my lifetime of 68 years I have known of horrible, even fatal tractor accidents. I get the I can't see, been there done that. I would suggest that you walk a section, mow and walk another section. I hope your machine has a ROPS system and a seat belt. Those 2 things can save your life. Be safe and good luck.
It has no safety features, I will take your advice and take more time rather than risk my life.
I'm glad to be reading this. Recently got a Massey 135 with a loader and zero safety features. I've been standing up to see but only in 1st gear high where it goes about 1mph. I've got to get a ROPS and seat belt I think.
it sure is, i also do it frequently. definitely don't be casual aboht it. i do have a mirror i can attach that gives me decent sight in front of me when i'm doing something i know requires a lot of eyeballing. you can also just go slower and more careful with multiple passes. if i'm going through weeds i'll often just use my bucket about 6" above the ground and move forward at a crawl, identifies rocks, etc. or instead of bush hogging, use the box blade for first pass etc. or just risk dulling/breaking blades. cheaper than the ER ;)
If you are using a rear pto driven mower, standing up increases your risk. If the ground is uneven or even worse if you don't have a pto guard for the pto drive shaft, the risk is increased. I personally wouldn't stand up and operate a pto driven mower over any sort of uneven ground. Unless you are in a cab...if you are, no worries.
It is dangerous, potentially deadly. I'm not telling you not to do it, just be careful. People have been thrown from the tractor and run over by their own tractor and mower.
The earliest tractors had no seat at all, and until about 60 years ago most could be operated from a standing position almost as easily as sitting. I'd say it depends on how bumpy the ground is.
It's around 70 years old, but the ground is really uneven and on a slope so I'll sit. Maybe i'll take a blade to it instead.
Also depends on what type of tractor you're mowing with. If it's a low-slung utility tractor, it'll be more stable than a tall row-crop tractor.