Backing up is a skill that requires some attention. You must look behind you and see what is there. Looking is done with the eyes, but seeing requires the brain to be engaged. Over the years I have witnessed people with Severe Backing Deficiency. I don’t think SBD is an official affliction, but it affects many people. Parallel parking is the beginning of training for a lifetime of backing.
The FFA has a tractor backing competition and when I taught school we entered the contest. An EZ Flow spreader was the implement of choice. It has a wide wheel base and a short tongue, making it difficult to back. In preparation for the event we had tryouts to select our best backer. Our student did a perfect job of backing between the pylons, but when he shifted to go forward he knocked over a pylon. We didn’t get the trophy, but we did get a good laugh over the situation.
When we rode horses in competitive trail riding, there was always a backing obstacle. I remember once we were sent into a dried corn field, told to retrieve a ribbon and back out without knocking over any corn. My wife and I had no problem, but a friend crunched the corn stalk when he got the ribbon and spooked his horse. The horse went sideways through six rows of corn. On another occasion we were instructed to back down a ditch that had a slight turn in it. Just around the curve there was a root sticking out. If you did not see the root and backed into it, there was no way to get around it. If you saw the root, it was easy to get the horse to step around it. I failed.
So much for normal backing, now let’s talk about some serious backing. Four wheel wagons are the ultimate challenge. They are used on the farm to haul silage, cotton and some are equipped to haul grain. We used them to haul hay. There are very few people who can accurately back a four wheel wagon. I am not one of them. If you ever get a chance, give it a try. It is the ultimate in frustration. I can before the day is over get one close to where I want it, but I have witnessed people who had mastered this skill. One of them was named Willy Ponder. We were getting hay into the barn ahead of a rain storm. There were two wagons in the barn with barely enough room between them for the third. The boss bet Willy that he couldn’t do it. In one smooth motion, without hesitation he placed the wagon perfectly in place. We had almost witnessed a miracle, but I am sure the bet offered some incentive.
Every now and then you will see a tractor with a trailer hitch on the front. It is much easier to push a four wheel wagon than it is to back one. This practice would be considered cheating by those who have mastered the skill. It would only be allowed if the one using it admitted that they could not back the wagon. So when backing remember to look, see and in all cases practice. If you do suffer from SBD, it is okay, just plan your exits carefully.
