Garden tractors
Hi! I am a G.T. No, I am not an alien from outer space! I have my feet firmly rooted on this planets garden soil literally and figuratively. I am a ponderous machine not anything great to look at, a little noisy, and a little cranky, but very very useful. At the cost of sounding a bit egoistic, I'll tell you what a great machine I am ! Come let?s be friends.
First, let me tell you a little about my life history.
How did I first come lumbering into this world?
When I first appeared on a drawing board, prior to the frightening World Wars, my creator designed me with similar features to a farm tractor like a huge beast.
I was shrunk considerably sometime during the 1930s, when a very thoughtful person decided I was too bulky for my own good. I was given just two wheels and used for simple jobs like cultivation.
Lots more of my siblings were created over the years, well into the early years of the present century. My siblings and me had the same two wheels and handle grips and a little engine. However, we were not multiple sets of twins! We all had different types of attachments as per our jobs mowing, picking up soil, whatever.
Later, much later, some other designer came up with this grand idea of adding two more wheels. So I slowly put on weight again, and as a result there was not much space between the ground and myself. Sad to say, this prevented me from working in my favorite places : gardens. Moreover, I required lots of fuel and needed a great deal of maintenance.
So back on the drawing board, with a few alterations, my entire look changed. Today I can gleefully do all kinds of jobs in a garden, at the same time not guzzling up too much of fuel.
What is the source of my power?
Well, that?s no secret! My very life depends on the sturdy engine that hums steadily inside me. My 5hp engine is great for plowing the garden soil, though some of my siblings have larger engines (even over 20hp) for more heavy-duty landscaping tasks in the garden. My younger siblings have 2hp or 3hp engines.
The engine gives me power to move, but what push me onwards (and all possible directions) are the rubber tires on my wheels. These are located both at the front sides and at the rear sides of the main frame. Even the toughest garden soil is pulverized beneath these mighty tires.
What are the types of jobs I undertake?
I am a multi-tasker and my versatility has never been in doubt. However, just as it requires two to tango, I need certain attachments for certain types of jobs. An attachment that is as hard working as I am is a great partner to have, for the simplest tasks and the toughest jobs.
One of my main jobs is to go scudding through the garden soil at a steady clip with a harrower at the back. If you are planning to have a garden of colorful flowers, to plant the bulbs you will need a special attachment known as a furrowing plow.
You can attach any other implement that is required for your gardening work, such as a hoe, and I?ll pull it along without a sweat.
I can also efficiently pick up dug up soil or other necessary material with a loading attachment that fits in neatly at the front. Of course, the load should not be too heavy. After all, like humans, I too have certain limits!
? Another job that is no problem is leveling the ground with the help of a roller.
When selecting me from the many types of gardening equipment, here are a few tips before buying:
First and foremost, you must remember that you are laying down those crisp greenbacks / piece of plastic for gardening work and not some major work on a farm. For the latter, you will have to head to another section of the store. So ask for me by name: G.T.
You dont need to buy my larger sized siblings when I can do the same jobs as good as them. This way, you will definitely save on some of those greenbacks.
Do hop on and make yourself comfortable in the driving seat. Check if you can reach the controls easily and are able to see over them. You should also check that you could easily see behind too. There should be nothing that comes in the way of your sight ? in front, towards the rear, and the sides. If the height of the seat is too low, then hop off. Find another G.T. that is right for you. Safety first, always!
When you are buying attachment kits / implements, don?t get ones that are too heavy for me to drag / pull / push / lift. I am tough, but not exactly a super hero ! Make sure, also, that these attachments are of the right dimensions for my frame.
Don?t forget that I am susceptible to breakdowns and am not immortal. You need to contact your insurer and get some coverage for me as well as for my partners (the implements that you attach).
As I said earlier, I am not immortal. However, I can definitely have a good life span if you take good care of me. So here are a few guidelines for maintenance:
? All that stressful gardening work makes me rusty from time to time. Whether or not you are using me, do pour some drops of oil on all the nuts and bolts on a regular basis. Add grease wherever necessary.
Don?t let my throat become parched ; otherwise my efficient functioning will be affected drastically. Oil and water are my bread and butter so check these levels regularly.
After I have done my gardening jobs, do splash water all over my frame. There are always bits of soil and grass pasted on the surface. Don?t forget the tires when washing!
When you don?t need me, don?t abandon me in the open air. I need shelter not only on hot days, but also when the wind is blowing around at high speed and when winter sets in. So even if you don?t have a proper shed or garage, at least provide me with a weatherproof cover.
And how about a bright coat of paint on my birthday!
Give me lots of TLC and I will be loyal to you for a long, long time.
So now that you know all about me, what are you waiting for? Head to that store right away and shake hands I promise it will be a lifelong friendship.
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