I'm too old for this RIGHT??

[WoodlandWoman]

If you didn't have trouble with your leg or were driving a vehicle with an easier clutch, I bet you wouldn't be having nearly as much trouble. It's too bad you can't try driving something that's a little easier, until you get the hang of it. Do you know anybody that has a stick and would be willing to help you?

A pillow behind you sounds like it might be a good start.

At one point when I was driving with a knee problem, I needed to place one hand on my knee and help push down, to brake. It was also hard to sit in traffic pressing down on the brake, without helping with my arm. I don't know if that would help, you, though.

Do you think your left leg would be strong enough to hold the clutch down for a second or two, if your arm did all the work to get the clutch pressed down?

You'd have to steer with the right hand, while using your left hand to help push your left leg down on the clutch, as you let up on the gas. Then quick take the wheel with your left hand and use your right hand to shift, followed by letting up on the clutch as you press down on the gas pedal again.

It's hard enough to work three pedals with two feet. You are trying to do it with one! I think you're being a really good sport to keep trying!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Years ago I traded in my car and bought a new truck. Problem was the truck I fell in love with and bought. My boyfriend at the time had to drive it home for me. It was a stick and I had never driven one before. It took me two weeks before I felt it was safe for me to drive in traffic. My husband says it good to know how to drive one even if you never do.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I learned to drive on an automatic, but later on I found a great deal on a stick and learned to drive that. After I got the hang of it, I thought it was fun to drive a stick. Ok, maybe it's just more fun if it's a sporty little car. Now that I think about it, I never really got that fun feeling in my husband's diesel truck.

Driving an automatic after driving a stick for a lot of years is hard, too. It feels so disturbing, like you should be DOING something all the time. Kind of like that disturbing feeling that you've forgotten to do something important! It's funny how so much of our driving becomes automatic to us, over time. We just don't even think about it.

 

[ozark hen]

yes, a sporty little car is neat but a big ole truck and in city traffic is not fun. Only comfortable way for me is in the country without a lot of traffic...their safe then.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I have two "tumors" on my spinal column that make the left side kinda useless for much more than keeping me upright.
My SO says he's going to take the safety switch off the clutch. Driving lessons won't be so frustrating if I didn't have to spend half an hour getting the truck started again after I stall it.
So I'll keep trying. HOWEVER, I put my foot down at ever learning how to ride the harley (his next goal for me). The way I look at it, that bike has a ***** seat for a reason.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Ha ha ha! You two are both so funny!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Quote:
I did go and take the motorcycle safety course but I like being a fender bunny instead.

 

[gritsar]

Fender bunny

 

[chicks rule]

I traded my automatic car in for a truck when I was 18, it was a manuel and dad said, "If you want it, You drive it home" Well I did, those 4-way stops sure were a %)^@&, but, I did it, LOL. The 40 minute drive only took me, 2 hours. Just last Friday I drove the bf's Mac dump truck to the gravel pit, never been in one in my life, but, I did it and was ever sooo proud of myself. He has a backhoe I claimed as mine and move hay with it and use it to clean the coop, and just today I drove the dozer, had only been on it once a few years ago. Talk about a stick shift, try driving a dozer,

 

[Biddieacres]

gritsar, is driving a tractor like driving a manual car?

You say you stop in between gears. I know with a car it is a fine balance of lifting the left while applying pressure on the right. Just when you feel it is about to stall, slowly press the gas on the right. (You shouldn't have to stop each time).

The switch on the clutch.....Is that what makes this tractor different from the other 2? What is that switch on the clutch for? Turning it on?

Sorry, just interested and trying to picture what you are going through.