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How to Drive a Farm Tractor Download Article Reviewed by Charley Helvy
Last Updated: February 24, 2025
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Starting the engine
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Driving the tractor
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This article was reviewed by Charley Helvy. Charley Helvy is an Automotive & Diesel Expert based in Avondale, Arizona. He is the founder of Charley’s Garage, an educational YouTube channel focusing on simple videos for automotive and truck enthusiasts. He has over 31 years of experience in the automotive world. He is a Diesel Instructor at the Universal Technical Institute and is a certified ASE Master Heavy Truck Technician. He offers training on gas and diesel engines on his YouTube channel, along with other DIY and explanation videos for beginners and enthusiasts alike. In 2024, he published a complete guide on Emissions Systems in Automotive and Diesel Vehicles. This article has been viewed 82,865 times.
Tractor driving is different from the standard family transportation. You'll be handling a vehicle that is large, powerful and potentially dangerous if not handled properly.[1]XResearch source This article will provide some assistance in knowing how to drive a tractor with care.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Starting the engine
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1 Get in the tractor. Sit in the seat. If recommended, put on the seat belt.
2 Put the key in the ignition. Advertisement
3 Depress the clutch with your left foot, until it hits the floorboard.
If it is a cold start, inject ether into the fuel lines.
If the tractor has glow plugs, turn the key to warm them, for an easier start up.
4 With the clutch depressed with your foot, push in on the key and turn it until the tractor begins to turn over. Hold for approximately 8 seconds before letting go and trying again.
5 Repeat until the tractor turns over. If the tractor continues failure to start, it is recommended to spray starting fluid into the lines.[2]XResearch source
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Driving the tractor
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1 Move the shifter. Now that your tractor has started, depending on the year, it may have a steering wheel hand clutch, which will be located on the right of your steering wheel. This is usually found in John Deere 4020's.[3]XResearch source Locate your shifter, and most tractors follow the same procedure for taking off.
If it has a hand foot clutch, the shifter will be in between your legs, near the foot petals.
If your shifter is on your right hand side, and is located on the side of the throttle, it is most likely a power shifter.
2 Release the clutch. The tractor has labeled gears between first to the last one, including reverse. Push in the clutch, which is your left foot and push the shifter into first gear. Throttle the tractor up slowly to increase the RPMs. Slowly release your foot off the clutch and you will feel the tractor begin to move. throttle the RPMs again to increase speed, and power.
3 Shift the gears. Now that your tractor is moving, in order to shift gears, locate second, or the next gear you need.[4]XResearch source Press in the clutch and shift the gear. Slowly release the clutch and you will feel a small kick or since of power. The gear has locked and you are now in that desired gear.
4 Learn to stop. Now you have learned to shift a tractor, and take off, you need know how to stop. To stop the tractor, depress the clutch, find neutral in the gear shifter. Let off the clutch, and depress the break with your right foot. The tractor should come to a halt, and you have successfully drove a tractor. Throttle the RPM down to the lowest setting, and this is the tractor's idle.
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Community Q&A
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Question I have a Case 5250, it starts but is not driving when the engine is engaged. Could this be due to low fuel? Community Answer No. If it were low on fuel, then the engine wouldn't start. Since the engine starts, your problem is somewhere else. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question What do I do when a tractor doesn't have a seat belt? Community Answer Many older tractors do not have seat belts. If yours does not have a seat belt, skip this step. Consider having a ROPS and seatbelt installed on the tractor, or discuss it with your farm's manager. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 2
Question Where is the throttle? Community Answer On most tractors, the throttle is on the floor. Some of the bigger tractors may have a throttle similar to the one in your car. Just be careful not to go to fast with the throttle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 4
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Tips
Before getting in the tractor, you should do a mandatory walk around. Check the oil, hydraulic fluids, tires, radiator, air filter, ROPS and "roll cages". Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
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Reviewed by: Charley Helvy Heavy Machinery Technician This article was reviewed by Charley Helvy. Charley Helvy is an Automotive & Diesel Expert based in Avondale, Arizona. He is the founder of Charley’s Garage, an educational YouTube channel focusing on simple videos for automotive and truck enthusiasts. He has over 31 years of experience in the automotive world. He is a Diesel Instructor at the Universal Technical Institute and is a certified ASE Master Heavy Truck Technician. He offers training on gas and diesel engines on his YouTube channel, along with other DIY and explanation videos for beginners and enthusiasts alike. In 2024, he published a complete guide on Emissions Systems in Automotive and Diesel Vehicles. This article has been viewed 82,865 times. 62 votes - 74% Co-authors: 13Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 82,865 Categories: FarmingArticle SummaryX
To drive a farm tractor, start by locating the shifter, which will either be on the right of the steering wheel or between your legs, near the foot pedals. Next, use your left foot to push the clutch down to the floor and shift the tractor into first gear before slowly releasing your foot from the clutch. Repeat this process to shift the tractor into second, third, or other gears. Finally, stop the tractor by depressing the clutch, pushing the gear shift into neutral, and releasing the clutch before using your right foot to press on the brake. To learn more about how to drive a farm tractor, like how to start a tractor with glow plugs, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Charley Helvy Heavy Machinery Technician 62 votes - 74% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 13Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 82,865
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Reviewed by: Charley Helvy Heavy Machinery Technician This article was reviewed by Charley Helvy. Charley Helvy is an Automotive & Diesel Expert based in Avondale, Arizona. He is the founder of Charley’s Garage, an educational YouTube channel focusing on simple videos for automotive and truck enthusiasts. He has over 31 years of experience in the automotive world. He is a Diesel Instructor at the Universal Technical Institute and is a certified ASE Master Heavy Truck Technician. He offers training on gas and diesel engines on his YouTube channel, along with other DIY and explanation videos for beginners and enthusiasts alike. In 2024, he published a complete guide on Emissions Systems in Automotive and Diesel Vehicles. This article has been viewed 82,865 times. 62 votes - 74% Co-authors: 13 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 82,865 Categories: Farming Article SummaryX
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1 Get in the tractor. Sit in the seat. If recommended, put on the seat belt. 
2 Put the key in the ignition. Advertisement 
3 Depress the clutch with your left foot, until it hits the floorboard. 
4 With the clutch depressed with your foot, push in on the key and turn it until the tractor begins to turn over. Hold for approximately 8 seconds before letting go and trying again. 
5 Repeat until the tractor turns over. If the tractor continues failure to start, it is recommended to spray starting fluid into the lines.[2] Advertisement 
1 Move the shifter. Now that your tractor has started, depending on the year, it may have a steering wheel hand clutch, which will be located on the right of your steering wheel. This is usually found in John Deere 4020's.[3] Locate your shifter, and most tractors follow the same procedure for taking off. 
2 Release the clutch. The tractor has labeled gears between first to the last one, including reverse. Push in the clutch, which is your left foot and push the shifter into first gear. Throttle the tractor up slowly to increase the RPMs. Slowly release your foot off the clutch and you will feel the tractor begin to move. throttle the RPMs again to increase speed, and power. 
3 Shift the gears. Now that your tractor is moving, in order to shift gears, locate second, or the next gear you need.[4] Press in the clutch and shift the gear. Slowly release the clutch and you will feel a small kick or since of power. The gear has locked and you are now in that desired gear. 
4 Learn to stop. Now you have learned to shift a tractor, and take off, you need know how to stop. To stop the tractor, depress the clutch, find neutral in the gear shifter. Let off the clutch, and depress the break with your right foot. The tractor should come to a halt, and you have successfully drove a tractor. Throttle the RPM down to the lowest setting, and this is the tractor's idle. Advertisement 
Community Answer No. If it were low on fuel, then the engine wouldn't start. Since the engine starts, your problem is somewhere else. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4 
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