(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Beginner - Looking for basic safety advice

H

hardonequipment

New User
Hey, I'm new here.

Long story but I am in the position where my little beef farm either has to get bigger and more self sufficient or sell out. I'm not working with much money, and I don't have many mechanical skills but I'm going to do my best to learn because I have no other choice (what better reason could there be?) lol.

I have a Belarus 520 that I bought cheap, it does *run* but definitely needs some work. I have downloaded all the guides and manuals for it so I have learned a lot from those.

I'm about to start working on the battery and starter components. I'm not overly familiar with batteries or electricity. The guy who got this tractor running before me also ripped out all of the original wiring and replaced it with his own wiring which pretty much just runs the two twelve volt batteries to the starter. I will have to learn more about that as well.

I would like to know any basic safety tips for working on tractors/engines. Any good references to materials or videos I could read or watch to help learn, etc. I do know some things but am operating off the principle "you don't know what you don't know" because I do want to be safe.

Thank you in advance and I'm sure you'll be seeing me post more on here as I start this project.
 
My gaud if I followed all the safety rules that will come up here on this I would not get out of bed in the morning. some of them will be just plain not real.
 
I am not trying to be negative here, but your first mistake was buying a Belarus. Those russians do some weird stuff when they made that tractor. It
is not like working on a domestic made tractor. I own 5 different brands of tractors and I like them all and I work on my own equipment. But, I have
never worked on a Belarus and never will. Everyone I know who has had one either loved them or hated them. Most hated them. You don't see many around
where I live anymore. Keep it for a spare and buy you a Ford, John Deere, Allis Chalmers or something you can find parts for and work on. Just my 2
cents. Hope it works out for you.
 
The other thing is there is no uniformity, if you get the part it might not fit,you have to take it to a machine shop and have them make it fit!
 
We had one my whole childhood.. they are definitely a different breed. We ultimately chose it because of the price (there are a ton around here for cheap, rural Canada where small farms 100 acres or less make up most of our communities) and because they can take quite a lot of abuse in our climate. At least it is all mechanical so parts can be machined as well. My partners boss does have a parts tractor for it as well. I find that Belarus are pretty easy to jerry rig as well, just in case you ever have to. To be fair though, I feel like many on here are probably actual tractor enthusiasts while I just need one to work enough to do some work on the farm so our priorities may be different as well.

If you were recommending me a midsized tractor, around 60-80hp, must be able to lift a 1400lb round bale, low budget and want to be able to work on it yourself, what would you have recommended?
 
Lol fair enough.. I have quite a bit of experience as an operator so it's not exactly like I'm a total beginner. I grew up on a farm and also worked full time on one.. but they also had a mechanic hired to handle that stuff. My priority was cattle management. Mostly just want to know how to avoid getting shocked by the battery and stuff, safety around hydraulic work, more of the more mechanical stuff. I don't think I'm going to run myself over leaving it in gear or walk under an unsupported loader or anything.
 
Almost impossible when you own a Belarus double check it's in neutral and stand way back I mean.. chances are it's not gonna start anyways

In theory that is great advice though and if you prefer to be totally safe, advice that you should follow for sure!
 
Welcome hardonequipment!

There are hundreds of Youtube videos on basic automotive and tractor wiring
and safety. Just do some searches, you'll be able to sort the good ones from
the garbage easily.

The biggest danger of working around batteries is the explosive gas they
produce when being charged or under heavy load. Always avoid sparks around a
battery, as in connecting or disconnecting a cable under load or a charger
that is turned on. Another danger is fire, a battery is capable of rapidly
heating a shorted wire to the ignition point! keep a working fire
extinguisher at hand!

The other danger is unexpected engine cranking resulting in tractor movement
or entanglement in moving parts. Always triple check that the transmission is
in neutral and disconnect the batteries when working near moving parts or on
the electrical system.

That said, you stated the wiring had been stripped and jury rigged back
together. I'm sure one of the safety features, the neutral safety switch, was
likely bypassed. That needs to be top priority to get back in place!

Hope you find success with the tractor. Don't be afraid to ask, we'll help
all we can!
 
I am under 40 but I've been blessed with some amazing opportunities I can't pass up. There are still some areas where small farmers get by being a jack of all trades so they don't have to spend all their money on services and I'm trying to learn. Luckily my generation has all of this info literally in our pockets all the time, all kinds of resources to access professionals for free for the knowledge just like this site. No generation before us had this incredible resources to learn from. Just need the work ethic and willingness to learn and try new skills and I think I might stand a chance. Of course that remains to be seen lol
 
safety is thinking about what you are about to do. dont need any books for that. one example never unplug the round baler pick up with the
tractor running. sure u will have the tractor pto out of gear,... is it safe ?.. NO.. what's saying that it cant jump back into gear or even
someone else on the tractor hit the lever. is hand cranking a tractor safe? yes providing it is timed correctly and use the proper procedure
with the crank. how do you think the old timers got any work done if they could not hand crank them old tractors. kinda funny, i got my
neighbor here today with his son to make a few square bales. then we got talking about kids and equipment and learning. his son is 19. he
also said you dont need no manual to learn. i said thats is totally right. its all in the person doing the job, and listening to advise. he
was talking about some guy ordering a bunch of manuals to learn stuff. we are both mechanic's and his son is working as an appentice also.
the young guy baled up over 70 bales of straw in half an hr. first thing i said to him you must turn right each time so start at that end. he
said yes turn clockwise as that's what dad said. i said to the dad ok i wont give any more advise. these people came from germany a few years
ago and are good people.
 
Like others have said, I would get something you can easily get parts for. I believe this forum has many more experts on American made tractors than foreign made tractors. So that is a plus too.
 
i will also say i did over haul an 820 belarus tractor about 40 years ago for the neighbor. it was not all that bad. an engine is an engine.
 
Not much chance of getting a shock from automotive electrical current except on the new stuff in cars and trucks. Tractors not likely to happen. As for hydraulics biggest issue is a leak that could inject the oil through your skin when it happens though probably will never happen since most hose leaks will spray a big leak from a hose pulled apart or broke off. They can rupture then watch out for spray through the wire mesh that holds it together. Don't put your body parts in front of fuel injector lines they can penetrate the skin with fuel. All skin penetration like that can cause gangrene to set in if not treated right away.
 
You want 60 HP to lift bales. OK Deere 3020 2030 4020 Case 730,830,930 IH 560,706,806,756,856,666,686,766,786,Ford 5000,4000 Oliver 13,14,15oo series or any of those versions of the hundred series like 1550 Massey 65,95, and those of that size, Allis D models 17,19, 170 175 180 185 190 and any of the series. Just some to chew on. There are more in older and newer models that will fit the bill.
 
> Rule #1: Don't ever try to start the tractor if you are not sitting in the seat!!!

That was the first rule that came to my mind.
 
1. I don't have many mechanical skills.

Then only buy tractors you can get serviced locally and buy
parts for. Get a truck and trailer to haul your tractor to the
dealer.

2. Basic safety advice.

Old tractors are cheaper. Newer tractors have ROP and seatbelts.

3. little beef farm

Most people with animals want a tractor with a loader to move
round bales

Again, loaders tend to flip over.
Don't be cheap. Get a newer tractor with ROP and seat belts.

4, I'm not working with much money.

Are you really sure you want to raise cattle?
My momma said, it takes money to make money.
My neighbor is a hobby cattle rancher. There isn't
a lot of profit margin raising cattle. He does it
as a hobby and loves eating good steak..
Truth be known, he probably isn't making very much
money. He buys hay from another farmer 3 miles away.
He inherited the hobby farm from his Uncle.

Good luck!
 
ALWAYS start the tractor from the seat..NOT from the ground as many people are ran over by their tractors!!! One of my six safety rules.
 
One thing you need to keep in mind is that you can't expect us here on a forum to hand-hold you through every minute detail while you learn.

From time to time we get folks who expect to be walked through every bolt and nut. "I found a bolt! Should I remove it? Which way should I turn it to remove it? Do I need to remove more bolts? I found another bolt! Should I remove it? Which way should I turn it to remove it? Do I need to remove more bolts? I found another bolt!..."
 
Now there is some good advice, I run about 20 momma cows and if it wasn't for my day job I could not afford this activity. I am also a fair mechanic with good electrical skills.
 
Unfamiliar with Belarus, but sounds like
you shouldn't have bought THIS one. A
newbie shouldn't ever buy a tractor that is
all COBBLED up electrically and lord knows
where all else. You don't know what is
suppose to be right, and what is cobbled up
wrong, because you are not going to know
what right is by looking at your tractor.
How are you suppose to work on something
like that, and make it right???

I usually pass on tractors like that, even
not being a newbie.

Not sure how many cattle you have, but
cattle are not a get rich over night
project. Also not a good side line for
someone living from paycheck to paycheck
(not saying you are). As a rule of thumb,
I've always said no matter how big your
cattle operation is whether that is 1 or
100, you should have an equal amount of the
value of the cattle on ice at the bank. As
in, if you own 5 cow calf pairs, you should
have the equivalent amount of money in a
savings account at the bank. Otherwise you
could get eaten alive by un-expected bills,
crashed market, feed shortage, the list
goes on. Not that you can't get eaten alive
anyways, but if you don't have the
financial backing, and any problem like
that that comes about will likely force you
to sell out to a bad market. It can easily
turn your business adventure, into a non-
profitable one. With some financial
backing, you can turn the tables sometimes
and hold off through a bad time, and sell
when markets are better, and make the
difference between selling out and losing
money, and making a profit. An advantage
you don't have, with no money in the bank.
 

Where are you from...in Canada...i'm in Qubec, Lanaudire and just bought a 1982, Blarus 520, and owned 3 Kubotas from 26 to 85 HP and a Bolen before...and the fact that you have the same machine as me...i can Help...
For sure it's a complexe and diffente machine then all the other tractor and too many moving parts in my mind but it's a real Tank and that tractor can do what many other tractor cannot do for is size. Having said that...Safety is comming sence... just thi k twice before doing anything and if you're not sure.. .go to Internet or forums or books to find the solution.... :wink:
 
(quoted from post at 09:35:18 09/12/22) 1. I don't have many mechanical skills.

Then only buy tractors you can get serviced locally and buy
parts for. Get a truck and trailer to haul your tractor to the
dealer.

2. Basic safety advice.

Old tractors are cheaper. Newer tractors have ROP and seatbelts.

3. little beef farm

Most people with animals want a tractor with a loader to move
round bales

Again, loaders tend to flip over.
Don't be cheap. Get a newer tractor with ROP and seat belts.

4, I'm not working with much money.

Are you really sure you want to raise cattle?
My momma said, it takes money to make money.
My neighbor is a hobby cattle rancher. There isn't
a lot of profit margin raising cattle. He does it
as a hobby and loves eating good steak..
Truth be known, he probably isn't making very much
money. He buys hay from another farmer 3 miles away.
He inherited the hobby farm from his Uncle.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
hen I factor in the tax savings on Ag-exemption, my profits go WAY up. So far up that I would probably still be ahead if a lightening bolt wiped the whole heard!
 
(quoted from post at 23:50:27 01/08/23)
Where are you from...in Canada...i'm in Qubec, Lanaudire and just bought a 1982, Blarus 520, and owned 3 Kubotas from 26 to 85 HP and a Bolen before...and the fact that you have the same machine as me...i can Help...
For sure it's a complexe and diffente machine then all the other tractor and too many moving parts in my mind but it's a real Tank and that tractor can do what many other tractor cannot do for is size. Having said that...Safety is comming sence... just thi k twice before doing anything and if you're not sure.. .go to Internet or forums or books to find the solution.... :wink:
Click to expand...
Hello bigred20 welcome to YT! The poster in Canada who owns the Belarus you are wanting to get a reply from is likely not viewing this forum any longer. If he does chime in I would be extremely surprised. He made this post and another about his batteries and starter in mid Sep. 2022. His post total is 12 most are in this ..Safety.. post. When there is a post about a Belarus on here occasionally someone comes up with an answer but more often the replies are about the lack of specific knowledge on those machines and just trying to offer general mechanical knowledge to assist the poster.
 
(quoted from post at 05:57:38 01/10/23) Since my Russian is not very good...lolololol
and it's my first Belarus tractor....i just wanted to see if it exist somme owner of 520 in Qubec...
Click to expand...

You're better off starting a new thread rather than replying to one that is a few months old with a "me too" like this. The only reason to drag up the old thread is if you are the original poster and following up, OR you have advice for the original poster.

Click the "New Topic" button and start a thread titled "Any Belarus owners in Quebec?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Roosa Master info
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
G
Painting Basic Questions
Replies
18
Views
1K
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
J
International 786 charging help
Replies
15
Views
651
used red MN
U
S
ford 5000 new engine? Any advice on where to get?
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
sunnyfield
S
B
MF 40 Neutral Safety Switch and wiring help
Replies
4
Views
343
Jim.ME
J
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top