Could've been real bad

Grand son and I were down at the shop moving some scrap that had accumulated with the skid steer. He was operating it and was half inside and half outside when it quit running. He looked down and smoke was coming up between his legs. (the batteries are located there). He's only 12 but pretty darned dependable for his age. He jumped out and removed the floor pan. One ground terminal had melted in two and the other battery was boiling. He removed the other ground terminal and hollered for me as I was moving a tractor & told me that there was smoke comming up in the engine compartment too. He grabbed the fire extinguisher out of the cab as I opened the rear door. By this time there was no smoke. In checking further we discovered that the starter had come loose and the hot post on the solenoid had gotten against one of the injector lines when it slid back. Luckily it didn't burn a hole in the line. WE got it bolted back up ( I guess the p.o. didn't believe in lock washers) and everything is good to go now. Just thinking what could have happened if he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. I was just pretty darned proud that he handled the situation and didn't get all shook up. In fact I think he handled it the right way. I know that battery could have blown up, but I also know the skid steer and the shop could have burned if he hadn't removed the terminal. Just wanted to let people know what can happen when a part fails, and this is not something we check every time we start this or any machine. Keith

Glad he is OK first and foremost. Everything else can be replaced. Could have gotten ugly real fast.

A 12 year old did all that.........Wow that is amazing. Most kids, and many adults would have screamed for help while running away.

Had a starter switch short out one time on a Farmall 200. Grounded through the pull rod to the headlight mount shaft. Was able to get battery cover off an pry off a battery terminal. Saved the tractor, but had some parts to replace. Now starter pull rod is on an insulated block.

You have trained him well plus he obviously has mechanical aptitude.

KEH

Nothing out of the ordinary for a Meigs County Boy
Level headed, cool under fire, dependable.

Glad things didn't get bad real fast. He had the ability to evaluate the problem real fast, and act, by removing the cable. Most kids his age would look for the computer delete button. I will be glad when my grandson lives closer so I can teach him a few mechanical things. Stan

It doesn't matter how old you are. When the thought of catching your crotch on fire is there, you think fast. LoL

Unless some nitwit on facebook challenges you do light it up, then you go do it!

It's nice to hear a story commending us young guys. And your grandson is a good fast thinker. Sometimes we surprise ourselves when we see whats going on and how bad it can turn.