Backup Beeper?

[DFB]

Harv,
You can do some window shopping at JCWhitney for warning lights and universal back up alarms.

Most of the auto type backup beepers are usually spliced into the backup light wiring. The simple solution would be to tie into a hot wire and manual activate the alarm with a toggle switch. Otherwise you could rig up a momentary type switch on the gearshift lever (or a rear hst pedal) to automatically activate when you go into reverse.

DFB

[dmccarty]

I'm trying to figure out how to mount rear view mirrors on the tractor. I don't have a canopy or cab. I can think of two places, on the FEL supports or extend my structure holding my lights. Mirrors would be a real help in so many way. I would really like a mirror that would allow you to see what the box blade was doing. But I think its just to close to the tractor to be able to mount something that could see far down and close in.

One of the ideas I have been thinking of is how to educate my daugher about the dangers of the tractor. The two ideas I have is to take a watermelon or whole chicken and feed 'em to the tractor. Run 'em over, throw them under the operating rotary cutter, etc. Something that will graphically show her what happens to objects contacting the equipment. The 4n1 is real easy, just cut a branch in two. It impresses me! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Later....
Dan McCarty

[Bird]

<font color=blue>a rear-mounted video camera</font color=blue>

Now you're talking, Harv. I hadn't thought about that for a tractor, but I sure did love the one we had on the motorhome.

Bird

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>small flat-screen monitor</font color=blue> [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img]!!!

Harv, you are <font color=blue>too</font color=blue> much! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Don't forget the microwave! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

The GlueGuy

[banjobj]

Harv, I too am looking to put a back up beeper on my tractor. I am thinking how easy it may be to back over someone when in the "Tractor Trance". Seriously I have no small children but it is scary how a person can not be paying attention when backing up. The noise is annoying though!!!!!
Ben

[AndyR]

Harv: I used to fly sailplanes and became very attuned to "situational awareness", i.e. having a clue as to what is in the air around you in all directions. It is a skill that once learned benefits the user for a lifetime. Basically you scan your full visual range every 30 seconds or so, realizing that you are far more sensitive to movement at the periphery of your vision then head-on. Now this doesn't mean you have to turn your head like an owl all the time but you would be surprised how much info. you can pick up with some minor movements. This awareness has saved me from more then a few accidents (hang up the phone and drive you idiots!).

Remember, backup alarm or whatever, you are still "pilot in command" of your vehicle - at all times and in all directions. I never assume the other person/animal/whatever will know what I intend to do - and as others have accurately pointed out most folks have no clue as to how powerfull our little tractors are.

Practice safe tractoring!

Andy in NH

[ddl]

Great respnse. When I was growing up on the farm, My Dad would not allow us to have a radio on for we were on the tractor to work and had to pay attention to the things around us. People do rely on too many devices to make up for their safe actions. Beware of devices that make you feel safe, for at the second you feel safe, things happen. Safety is an on going process and the data needs to be updated as time progresses. MHO

Dan L

[GlueGuy]

Harv,

I've thought about this for a while, and have to agree with Dan and Andy. The beeper won't make you safer; only more annoying. I have a friend that installed a beeper on his SUV. Besides irritating everyone, I don't think it accomplishes much. The feeling of safety cannot be as good as just being safe.

So, put on the beeper, I will hunt you down, and pull out your beeper [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img].

The GlueGuy

[Harv]

<font color=blue>put on the beeper, I will hunt you down</font color=blue>

Hey, Bill, if that's what it takes to meet some of my TBN buddies, I might just do it. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

You guys have more or less convinced me that beepers and strobes would only offer a false sense of security (and perhaps a mild headache [img]/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif[/img]). I might still pursue the video camera angle, if for no other reason than it would be technologically cool. From the little bit of research I've done, I should be able to cobble it together for less than 200 bucks.

Not sure where to put it on my wish list, though. The list is getting so long I'll have to win the state lotto just to make a dent. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[AndyR]

Now what would be really cool would be to link your camera to your computer for an (almost) live feed to us- [img]/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif[/img] TractorCam![img]/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Andy in NH