Fuel Gauge Rant

pat sublett · Sep 5, 2013

I can't understand why a $50,000 tractor has a tank mounted Murry Lawnmower Fuek guage. You can't see it setting in the seat. I hit the barn door backing out and trying to see how much fuel I had at the same time. I am sure it would not have cost more than $50 to put a gauge like the Kubota and I would have been happy to have paid a $100 more. Ran out of fuel today, first time I ever ran a deisel out of fuel.

Rick Kr · Sep 5, 2013

" I hit the barn door backing out and trying to see how much fuel I had at the same time."

Is the rant because you hit the barn and are blaming the poor fuel gauge location? You should have been looking behind you while backing up, not checking the fuel gauge which is in front of you.

I have never hit the barn, if I don"t count those 2 times with the tractor and once with the dozer.

What tractor is it? Can"t tell from the picture. Almost looks like one of the smaller articulating loaders.

With that style tank it is the easy way out to put in a drop in style gauge like that with the float.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2013

A lot of crawler tractors used a dipstick for the fuel gauge. Looks like it's a JD tractor. Interesting you didn't mention that. Some people believe they are the be-all-end-all of tractors. I guess they aren't if they even don't even have a fuel gauge on the dash.

randallinMo · Sep 6, 2013

I feel your pain man. Barns just seem to get in the way like that.

Blackhole49 · Sep 6, 2013

Why wouldn't you just check the fuel before you turned the key? Sounds like just plain laziness or (in my case) lack of memory. Either way, hitting the barn is operator error no matter what type of gauge the tractor has. Good thing you don't own a pre-60s tractor, you'd be missing the whole side of your barn by now.

JMOR · Sep 6, 2013

(quoted from post at 08:45:33 09/06/13) Why wouldn't you just check the fuel before you turned the key? Sounds like just plain laziness or (in my case) lack of memory. Either way, hitting the barn is operator error no matter what type of gauge the tractor has. Good thing you don't own a pre-60s tractor, you'd be missing the whole side of your barn by now.

eah, had to light a match to see fuel level down in the tank on those old tractors! Real hard on barns! :roll:

el6147 · Sep 6, 2013

and....if I could operate my equipment from the comfort of my easy chair with a joy stick and a monitor everything would be perfect.

Nate V. IA · Sep 6, 2013

Anything to save a dollar these days, I heard some new cars don't even come with a spare tire anymore.

I have never hit the barn on purpose, I did hit it one time when I was distracted, but my phone was ringing so it wasn't really my fault. Ha Ha

Nate

bison · Sep 6, 2013

I guess multy tasking ain't your thing

You have a couple options though.
1, look at the fuel level before backing out.
2, back out before checking fuel level.
3, back the tractor in the barn, you might be able to drive out with one eye on the fuel gauge and the other on the door opening.
4,widen the door opening of your barn or maybe take the whole front out...Oh sorry, you tried that already:twisted:
5, leave the tractor outside.
:lol:

jhilyer · Sep 6, 2013

Oh Jeebus, people, back to the point!

The point was who would design/manufacture a $50,000 tractor with a crappy fuel gage like that. And it is crappy. No call for it. My much cheaper utility tractor has a dash-mounted gage. My Farmall 460 from 1962 has a dash mounted gage.

Just something to shake your head at. Why did everyone jump all over the 'barn door' comment?

jon f mn · Sep 6, 2013

Stupid barn door....

EricInSEI · Sep 6, 2013

New cars without spare tires isn't about cost, it's about making the car's MPG meet Federal regulations. Groups like the AAA have been saying for years that most people can improve their gas mileage by getting rid of the excess stuff in their trunks. Aluminum is being considered for more body parts for the same reason, the EPA.

Back to the tractor, if you had a dash mounted gas gauge, how would you check it while backing up anyway? When I back a tractor up I'm not looking at the dash.

4xMF · Sep 6, 2013

"Hit the barn door"? Does it mean you didn't open the door before backing out?

jm. · Sep 6, 2013

SO WHAT is the 50 thousand dollar equipment?

Anonymous-0 · Sep 6, 2013

There were crawler tractors and other equipment worth a lot more than $50,000 that had no fuel gauge or used a dipstick. The idea with any piece of equipment is to check before you start it up. A fuel gauge is a nice convenience is all.

36 Coupe · Sep 6, 2013

Ditto.I use a paint stick never fails.If there is only a half inch of gas on the stick I walk home.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 7, 2013

been drivin a mazda pickup, for 5+ years now, never had a working gas gauge, never hit anything either. I guess I am behind the times, and out of fashion, yet again, rats....

Fuel Gauge Rant

pat sublett

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Rick Kr

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Anonymous-0

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randallinMo

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Blackhole49

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JMOR

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el6147

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Nate V. IA

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bison

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jhilyer

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jon f mn

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EricInSEI

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4xMF

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jm.

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Anonymous-0

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36 Coupe

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Anonymous-0

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