tractor accident

Saw this on news this morning. Pulling from the top link!!

joe
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Too bad the story accounts fail to mention "pulling from the top link"; it might help to save a few others that need to be warned.

Do you think it did a straight backflip and it is only lying on its side like it is now because they rolled it sideways off the poor guy?

T

Important safety reminder lessons for all, especially a tractor rookie like myself. RIP.

Exactly what it looks like, save the photo and enlarge it, you can see things better. 2 things are a deadly combination in this situation, connecting a line off the top link pin holes and the use of log tongs on a dead rotted log(well maybe just the sapwood). The tongs are up top, not big enough either, they slip off under tension it could kill or maim. The log should have been choked with a sound choker and the line rigged at the bottom of the log, then to the drawbar of the tractor, but even then, with no front weight or ballast it can be dangerous if the operator does not realize its too much weight, resistance, or if it catches on a stump, other trees or something. A front end loader will make a huge difference. Logs hitched like that will sometimes want to make a trench in the dirt when towed, but often times you can roll the log so it tows easier. One tool to help roll a log is a log peavey or a timber jack to lift it so it can be rigged easily. 3 pt booms are nice, but they will make the front light if you have too much weight on to far back. Not sure if a backblade would stop a rollover backwards, but I have logged with one of those on too off a JD 2020 as well with a boom pole. I've done a fair amount of logging with an 850 ford and loader, no way I'd fool with bigger logs without that loader on, the front has never come up, tractor loses traction if the log digs in or its too heavy, at that point I unhitch excess or cut them smaller, never fight something like a heavy log with a tractor. Even at that, its not the best thing to do with a tractor, and must be done with care, best to have a rops and seat with belt if you need to log with a tractor, as well as know how to rig the log and the line to the tractor. I lost a cousin to a mishap with an N series, same deal, they tried to unstuck a small crawler with it. The hazards like these get forgotten, most old timers knew these tractors well enough to avoid this tragic loss, one can only hope that his family finds some solace and relief from the grief from this. Its hard to believe these incidents still happen, but as long as there are old tractors..... its hard to prevent unless more is done to educate people about the safe use of them.

Very sad. I copied the link and forwarded it to all of my tractor family and tractor friends.

Forwarding arches are nice, if you can afford or fabricate them. You're more trailering a log instead of trying to drag it. Keeps them cleaner. Redistributes the weight a bit.

Absolutely, if you look at old logging photos, they were commonly towed behind crawlers, and would be my first choice if affordable or could be fabricated. I've yet to own or build one, so for now its alternative methods, but one of these is going to make it less hazardous to tow logs with a tractor. Lots of photos in the link, mostly small ones but there's a few large ones on tracks that were pulled by crawlers way back when.

I'm fortunate that most of the logs I tow in are relatively easy, some heavy, but I can keep them mostly out of the dirt, but when they do, I'll sweep or wash them down before cutting.
Log Arch