Archive Article: 2000/06/30

30 June 2000

What simple lives tractor

drivers of the 1950s and

60s led. Getting your machine into action from a standing start generally took all of four steps – sit on seat (removing hen first), turn key, engage one of six or so gears on offer, drive off.

Compare that to the

sophisticated task that

awaits a turn-of-the-millennium tractor driver – open door,

sit on seat, adjust steering column, alter radio from Melody Radio to Radio 1

(or vice-versa), ensure gearstick/powershift/shuttle lever in neutral, turn key, push

air-con button, place mobile phone in handy holder, select one of up to 54 gears, drive off, find shuttle is in reverse rather than forward and that youve driven over attractive and expensive-to-replace

toolbox/welder/staff member.

With such a lot to think

about before either forward

or reverse motion can be achieved its no surprise that the position and setting of

the seat is given only

rudimentary attention.

But if thats the case, were all missing a bit of a trick.

For while comfort in the

armchair at home means

better dozing, comfort in the tractor seat should mean less backache and more

productivity. With that in

mind we show you what all those funny levers do.