Everything I need to know, I learned driving a tractor

Country Today ^ | 7-5-03

[SJackson]

Remember the book that came out a few years ago, "All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten?" It argued that the basics you learn in kindergarten lead you through life.

I've often thought that book must have been written by someone who grew up in town, particularly illustrated by the line that says: "Take a nap every afternoon."

As a former student, I agree that kindergarten is important. But I would like to argue -- as a former farm kid -- that all I really needed to know, I learned driving a tractor.

For example:

1. Follow your nose. This was my all-time favorite direction given to me from my father, stated matter-of-factly whenever he set me up on a tractor to "teach" me a new task, whether it was raking hay for the first time, driving baler my first day or discing ahead of the corn planter on a windy spring morning.

After giving me the obligatory two-minute overview of the levers I needed to use and the general direction I should be headed, he would follow with, "Follow your nose, kid." That was it. No other words of wisdom, no useful bits of advice about how to disc end rows correctly, no direction as to how to rake the hayfield corners perfectly.

As a kid, I really hated that expression, especially when halfway through the task, Dad would jump off his tractor, come racing across the field, frantically waving his hands back and forth, stop me, and chew me out because I had done it wrong.

But looking back, I understand that he was giving me room to figure it out myself, giving me confidence and trust, letting me hone the ability to think on my feet. Those aren't life lessons I learned in kindergarten -- I learned them on a tractor.

2. Plan ahead. After I mastered the "following my nose" technique, I got this sage advice from Dad: "Look far enough ahead so that by the time you get to that corner or to the end of the field, you know exactly what you're going to do before you get there."

I learned the hard way that there's nothing worse -- especially when the clouds are rolling in, the sprinkles are starting and your father is giving you the sign to throw the throttle up a notch -- that there really is no bigger tractor-driving sin than to stop mid-field and contemplate, "How exactly do I bale the corner without wiping out the fence?"

Anticipation is probably the most useful skill every farm kid learns to master. By always looking ahead to the next corner, the next task, or the next challenge, time can be saved and mistakes avoided.

Life lesson number two: learn to look ahead and anticipate what's coming -- whether it's an obstacle or an opportunity -- so by the time you get there, you've thought out your options and end up making the right choice.

3. Don't look back too often. One of my rookie mistakes when driving tractor was to constantly look behind me, making sure the baler was taking all the hay, or the disc was on its mark.

Not only did my neck start to hurt, but I would also start to veer off course. Worse yet, I violated rule No. 2: I was so busy worrying about what I was doing at that very minute, that I hadn't anticipated how to handle the next tricky spot.

One thing you learn quickly when driving a tractor is that there's a fine line between looking back often enough to make sure you're doing a good job, and looking back so much that you lose track of where you're going.

Life lesson number three: look to the future more than the past, but look back often enough that you don't repeat your mistakes. Not only will you be more successful in life, your neck won't hurt as much.

Growing up, I often thought the kids who grew up in town were the lucky ones -- they could go swimming on the days I was helping my family bring in the hay crop, or they could go shopping when I was racing to beat the clouds that would end corn-planting too early that day.

Today I realize how lucky I was to be a farm kid, because now I'm looking for ways to teach those same tractor-driving life lessons to my daughter, who lives in town and spends her free time riding her scooter around our block or going swimming with her friends.

I guess I'll have to find new ways to teach her the lessons I learned while I was driving a tractor.

On second thought, maybe I can talk her grandpa into teaching one more generation to "follow her nose." Let's head to the farm.

Jeanne Carpenter covers news for The Country Today in southern Wisconsin. She may be reached at scoop@uriah.com.

[George W. Bush]

As far as favorites go. I dream of having a restored John Deere B in the yard.

The one I use has been here on the farm for 51 years. Still running pretty well.

You can drive that silly two-banger all day on a tank of gas. I only rake hay with it.

If you look around the web, there's a lot of places to get parts, a lot of hobby/small farmers using the old JD's with original haying/field equipment. Kind of amazing when you start googling for the info.

[Windsong]

Hicks...blech!

[Bluntpoint]

Typing from your laptop a Starbucks?

[CHICAGOFARMER]

ya yes thanks for the memories


Now you have spilled the beans on my handle at
FreePr. Chicagofarmer.

My first follow my nose was at the age of five. My father had to go to a county supervisor meeting. My Uncle was not happy with my dad. ]

For those who know models It was a Farmall M pulling a New Holland baler. My first corners were rough. I could not reach the clutch, just steer. I graduated to a fergerson T 20, and by age ten had captured third place in the county farmer plowing contest.

My the time my farming career was over, T20's T35' Farmall H, M, 400, 560 1206 and steiger 4WD drive were mastered. My favorite time of the year was the county fair and the tractor pull. I spent months planing balancing, scheming how to win and I did frequently.

I started growing on the farm and never looked back. I retired at age fifty, having used my confidence learned at a early age to take responsibility and never fear failure.

I also marvel today that I was not killed, injured, maimed on the farm. Several times I was near death and escaped without injury. Farm tractor tipovers was common and PTO's kill. On my road within 4 miles, 17, 19, 21 year old killed in auto accidents, 56 old farmer killed by PTO, his uncle nearly killed by PTO. My close calls two tractor tip overs and loss of an index finger. After this life experience anything less was just minor bump in the road.

I just returned from priare dog hunting in ND and SD out amoung the farmers and smiled as I admired there passion and love of the land. I could not go back to it, but would not have it anyother way as I grew up.

I watched this morning on the history channel the news reels of 1961. One of the scenes was a hyjacking of a plane and the federal govt immediately issuing rules to allow airplane pilots to carry weapons. This is in stark contrast todays socialist state of the elite govt have guns adn the slave, subjects are losing this right to self-defense.

I have gone on too long, but thanks for the memories.

I challenge you to a tractor pull. My 1206, 560 or H. You pick your posion.

[teancumspirit]

In regaurds to post 29, stick around we will make a farmer out of you. As for tractor service, the best service is the kind you do your self. Because sure as shootin its going to break down at the most critical time. You have to know how to fix it yourself, or at least know when it does not sound right. 30 acers is alot to take care of and will take a good amount of time. But can be enjoyable and profitable.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

The popcorn poppers popped a lot of popcorn.

I used to tractor pull against the green machines and never lost to a big flywheel. My neighbor used to work and night and keep me awake as he popped.

[teancumspirit]

This is a weekend for memories, great post, thanks.

[BabsC]

My sibierian husky dug up a yellow jacket nest. I got more stings than she did cause they couldn't get through her fur. She did get a welp on her lip. It took an hour to find all those stuck in her fur. They didn't get to her but at least 4 got me as I was getting them off her. The dumb animal thought she could fight them off and tried to stand her ground. Fortunately she's so cute we just call her our other "blond" when she pulls these stunts.

[Bluntpoint]

One of the best places to get parts for older tractors.

http://www.pittsburgtractor.com/parts.html

[solo gringo]

Good post love it.As a farm boy i can relate to your tractor learning.We did not have a tractor on our farm we only had mules.On a tractor you only smelled diesel fuel if you get my drift.I used to complain and daddy would say boy that smell will grow hair on your chest.Another thing on the tractor you just had to turn the steering wheel you did not have to holler gee and haw to go left or right.

[19th LA Inf]

In 1952 I was in the Army in Maryland and was sent TDY to Eglin Field, Florida with a couple of Yanks. We went by TPA (travel via personal auto) in one of the guys' 39 Ford, taking about 3 days. I bet them that we would see more tractors than mules on our trip through the South. I lost big. Humiliating.

[solo gringo]

As a young boy i told my dad that when i grew up i was going to get me a tractor.I grew up guess what and got old and i have three tractors can only drive one at a time but the other two sure looks good sitting waiting thier turn.

[AuntB]

Bump for America's farmers!

[SJackson]

Now you have spilled the beans on my handle...

I figured you were one of those Lincoln Park farmers. I believe LP is second in the nation, next to Manhattan, in farm subsidied received. :>)

As to the tractor pull, I've only got a little puppy, no bet.

[AuntB]

Hi SLB, actually we do have a "farmer" ping list...of sorts.

[AuntB]

Hey, Phil V! That is one beautiful picture. I've just moved away from my farmland of 30 years....listen to me whine...... I'm up in the mountains now...about 50 miles away... in snake country....yep...I must learn to look near before I look far. Just came across one of the disgusting creatures this morning; no rattles:<)!!!!

[SLB]

Please sdd me to the farmer list.