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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Near miss report: New tractor owners, read this.

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Rod in Smiths F

10-21-2005 15:46:11




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I'd always wondered how a tractor operator could run over himself while dismounting. Now I know.

I was moving scrap iron with my Massey Ferguson 35 and I wanted to adjust the chain on the loader holding the object. Leaving the tractor in neutral and idling at about 400 rpm, I started to dismount when out of the corner of my eye I noticed the left rear wheel TURNING.

Immediately I stopped my dismount, pressed the clutch, returned to my seat and discovered: 1) the gearshift was inside the cuff of my jeans, 2) the tractor was in first gear.

Odd. I tried to shift in without the clutch. No go. But it was definitely in first gear, and definitely moving ahead, so I finally concluded that I must have stepped partially or fully on the clutch as I attempted to dismount the tractor.

A bit of tangled clothing in this case, if combined with a distraction or a slip, could quite possibly have produced an ugly injury. Luckily I saw the wheel turning and took action before things got out of hand.

Maybe this is why the manual is so insistent about setting the parking brake before dismounting the tractor. It's pretty easy to shift a 35 into first gear by accident.

Lesson learned.

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Davidj

10-22-2005 20:18:48




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
I have a 35 Fergie that has worn shifter rails and as such is now a semi-automatic as you don"t need the clutch for first and reverse low at idle. Just slides into gear like your car. I show that to anyone who gets on it. #1 rule is to put both shifters in neutral when dismounting. I"ve had a couple of thrills hitting the gearshift getting on and off. Too close.



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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

10-23-2005 03:10:39




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Davidj, 10-22-2005 20:18:48  
Ahah! So I wasn't crazy in thinking that the thing must have shifted in without the clutch?

I'll start using the hi-low shifter for neutral, then.

Thanks for the comment. It's helpful and explains a lot.



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Jerry/MT

10-22-2005 16:11:48




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
When I still lived in Indiana (over 40 years ago) I remember reading of a guy who parked his tractor outside in the mud. It froze that night and when he went to move the tractor, he put in a forward gear, gave it some throttle and released the clutch only to have the tractor roll over backward on him and kill him. Ever since then, I alway put a tractor in reverse first to make sure it will move before I put it in forward. Even in the summer! Winter's coming folks. Remember this!

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Davis In SC

10-22-2005 21:58:53




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Jerry/MT, 10-22-2005 16:11:48  
Jerry, there is a mention of that in the book that came with my Dad's 8N Ford... about using reverse if tires are frozen to the ground. As a kid, I read that book at least a hundred times, I guess it made me literate, LOL... BTW, I still have the book, I found it after my Dad passed away...



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Jerry/MT

10-23-2005 21:55:47




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Davis In SC, 10-22-2005 21:58:53  
I wonder if they do that with the new tractors? I've never seen it written down before in any tractor literature. Thanks for the info.



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Don-Wi

10-22-2005 08:35:57




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
I had a similar experience last year while plowing snow w/ our Massey 165. I backed up to the garage but wanted to open the door so I could get all of it. I set the brakes(pretty worn out) and I started getting off.

Guess what??? It was still in reverse! Long story short, our new (2 weeks old) garage door has a crease and a few dents where it was hit. I managed to stop it before it pushed through the door and hit my mom's Jeep.


Non of our tractors will start unless they are in nuetral. Some crazy saftey thing....;-)
Donovan from Wisconsin

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c hess

10-22-2005 07:47:53




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
For about 10 years we taught ems classes at are farm cause county agent thought we had all of potential hazards an were careful operators. Well i year had to tell them i slipped on 830step while getting off to check nh baler -ended up stradling running pto shaft!!! Furst thought was i should not have done this than very carefullygot off. Did tell folowing class about my dum mistake. WE did keep pto shields on equipement an was glad for that.

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RJ-AZ

10-22-2005 07:16:05




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Way back in the old days (50"s&60"s) my Dad would feed the cattle in the winter with a Ford 8N and later a MF35 and would tie the wheel and step off the tractor while it was moving in low gear to get back on the hay rack to feed the hay off. A lot of time the tractors were in winter dress with heat houser and big lug chains. He is now 88 years old and outlived a lot of stuff that should have got him including a German 88 round through his tank.

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Mark - IN.

10-22-2005 06:43:07




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
This past spring, or maybe last fall, I don't remember, but was cutting down some oaks. I was cutting them up, getting on the tractor and dragging them off. My sister asked to help, and was used to the smaller Deere and the AC, so OK. I hooked the limbs and trunks to the drawbar, had her lift some, and drag off, then I'd walk over and unhook, go next round. I was bent over, just wrapped the chain around one of the trunks and when went to hook it to the drawbar, the tractor shot back. She was in a higher range to bring it back around, left it in reverse after she'd backed up, and either took her foot off the clutch, or it slipped. It really came flying back on me. Had like 1/2 second to think and one chance to get it right. Grabbed the highest tire lug could reach and flung myself off to the side. When all was said and done, she stopped it, but the rear 1/2 of that 4520 was straddling that tree trunk, well beyond where I was standing. My heart was beating through my chest. She shut it off and walked away in tears and it took months to get her back on that one, but we're a lot more careful now.

That's a mistake we won't make again. Am sure will be others though, but that won't be one.

Just be careful. Things have and will happen.

Mark

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02

10-22-2005 01:46:01




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
We were brand new farmers in 1959.I was standing beside my Dad on the 8-N Ford while plowing.The plow hit a rock stopping the tractor cold.I fell off the tractor flat into the furrow right ahead of the spinning wheel.Luckily Dad pushed in the clutch before the plow jumped free. About 20 years ago I was putting the loader back on my 420 J.D. It just needed to go ahead just a touch so the loader could engage the front bracket. I gave the starter a quick jab an darned if it did'nt start,It was in first gear and the front end began to rise as it was now hooked into the loader which itself was hooked to the chain hoist.I was standing beside the tractor when this happened and managed to reach the shutoff,however those 2 CYL flywheels take a while to stop.It almost broke the hoist beam and me.

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Jimmy King

10-22-2005 01:33:23




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
I know a man that was mowing hay one time using a 495 NH and a 756 Farmall. He got a large flat rock in the header, threw the PTO out of gear left the tractor wide open. As he reached the rock the haybine started running, he put his hands on top of the guards and held his back arched the reel hit his back and slipped the belt. He said the reel would hit his back then back up a little. He stayed in that position for about 1/2 hr, then he timed the reel backing off and threw himself back free of the haybine. He said he was so tired he wanted to just lay there, but thought heck no the tractor will probly jump in gear and run over me. He escaped with only a badly brused back and several stiches in the palms of his hands. a very lucky man

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Coldiron

10-21-2005 19:47:42




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Rod, Thanks for sharing what could have resulted in a tragedy but thankfully it didn`t. Accidents can occur when we least expect them while we are working with our old and familiar equipment.



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Bob/Ont

10-21-2005 18:54:38




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Happens to plenty of not so new tractor owners too Rod. Thanks for sharing that.
Later Bob



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Jake from Jakes Corner

10-21-2005 20:02:23




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Bob/Ont, 10-21-2005 18:54:38  
Yup, Bob, so true! It even happened to Heinrich C. Dortmunder who was one of the designers of the ETD, but you know that story.



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Rufus Windrow

10-22-2005 15:55:51




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Jake from Jakes Corner, 10-21-2005 20:02:23  
Sorry to rain on your parade Jake but it was his brother Helmut who got into that scrape. How was the pineapple crop this past season?



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Jake from Jakes Corner

10-22-2005 18:43:59




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rufus Windrow, 10-22-2005 15:55:51  
Thanks for the coorection, Rufus. I sold out out the pineapple farm to some of them chinamen what come from China and not them local chinamen what wanted it. Too much new competition from them Russkies over in Siberia.



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Rufus Windrow

10-23-2005 04:40:20




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Jake from Jakes Corner, 10-22-2005 18:43:59  
You're 100% correct about those ******** and the ******** of course but being the politically correct fella that I am, I will not stoop to such low levels as to print those things out. I might even consider referring to the ETD name as the *** in the future.



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onefarmer

10-21-2005 18:47:22




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
I was working on my combine after dark this fall. Since it was dark I left the engine running to keep the battery up while the lights were on. Must have hit something just right as the combine shifted in to high gear and headed for the road and some trees. I was able to catch it and got it stopped 6 inches from a tree. I wasnt afraid of it running me over but I sure didn't need to get a new corn head. Whew

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dave from MN

10-21-2005 18:47:08




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
mY 544 FARMALL HYDRO IS ALSO A DANGER.i BELEIVE A 656 , HYDRO 70 (ALLEN IN NE) IS ALSO THE SAME SET UP mOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING THE TRACTOR IT IS VERY EASY TO MOVE THE SPEED CONTROL LEVER. iT DONT TAKE MUCH AND SHE REALLY BUCKS. aLWAYS MAKE SURE THE TRANS IS IN "n" BEFORE DIMOUNTING. hAVING THE SPEED CONTROL LEVER IN THE NUETRAL POSITION IS NOPT SAFE ENOUGH



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mlm

10-21-2005 18:11:01




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
I almost got it from an allis wd45 when I was 15.
The battery was weak, so it was parked on a small hill. I got on,moved the gas lever to wide open, put in high and pushed the clutch in. Poped the clutch after it got moving but it didn't start. Went to try the stater, but the starter lever was missing. So I got off and walk to its side to close the starter switch directly. The tractor started on first quarter. Was still in high gear. I fell out of the way of the rear tire, then watched it for a few seconds. Ran after it, got on the drawbar, climbed around the seat and shut it off. That is also a dumb and hard thing to do when A tractor is running across a field, wide open. It seemed like the drawbar was jumping around half a foot. I am sure , not being 15 anymore, that my reflexes are slower and I can't run as fast, things would not go turn out as well if i do that again.

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One more thing...

10-21-2005 18:05:00




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Another hazard to remember are those darned PTO extensions (Allan just had a photo of one) when used with a PTO pump. Remember to remove them after you've unhooked whatever required them. Otherwise you may ruin a good 5 buckle overshoe like I did when getting off the tractor when it was running.



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BobR

10-21-2005 17:33:35




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Used to be the world's worst at Standing beside the tractor and cranking, not very smart, I found out! Try to watch myself, when I was younger one almost got me. Older and wiser, (I hope!)



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Errin OH

10-21-2005 17:10:42




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Haven't hear of to many stories like yours. The most common way is to start the tractor while standing next to it. Only to discover it is in gear.

The following account was my first and only experance....

We were getting ready to bale hay. I wanted to get the wagons out, check tires and such. I directed the boy to fetch the NAA to move wagons. It was parked about 200' away pointing directly at an out building. I am not sure why, but when it fired up it startled me. Mostly because he had the throttle set to high. Anyway, I look over to see my son diving (falling) out of the way as the tractor takes off towards the building. I actually thought it got him at first (legs). To my disbelief, he gets up and JUMPS! back in front of it trying to stop it. I was bout 100' way in a dead run towards him. He managed to kill it before it hit the building (by inches) and I got there. My first thought was to complete the job the tractor had failed to do. I was speachless (Thank GOD he's OK). Put my arm around him quietly ask if he was OK (he was pretty shook up). Right then and there we agreed niether of us would ever start any tractors without siting on them. Being young he probably shook it off pretty quick, It set with me for days..... ..... ....

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Nebraska Cowman

10-21-2005 16:43:46




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
ya, I'm always carefull not to catch my coattail on the hydro lever on "Bullfrog". I knew a guy that once caught his pants leg on the clutch pedal on a Farmall 656. Resulted in a nasty headlong spill.



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Cosmo

10-21-2005 15:55:11




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 Re: Near miss report: New tractor owners, read th in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 10-21-2005 15:46:11  
Rod, that was close. It's not just new owners it can happen to. I've had a close call similar to that with my tractor and neither me nor the tractor is any where new. So, do I use my parking brake when I jump off with the tractor running? Nope. Too impatient, too complacent, and too stupid. Thanks for the reminder. Regards, Cosmo



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