Harv
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2000
- Messages
- 3,371
- Tractor
- Kubota L2500DT Standard Transmission
Thought it was time to start a new thread on all this safety talk. "Off Topic & Just For Fun" doesn't seem quite right for such an important topic, but it didn't quite fit in the other categories, either.
Since I am still shopping for my first tractor, they don't get any more "beginner" than I am. I have been reading this board avidly for months now, taking special notice of all your safety concerns, experiences and especially that OSHA "tractor safety" page that someone pointed us to (was that MarkC?). The net effect is that
<center><h2>YOU HAVE SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!!!</h2></center>
... and I want to thank you one and all!
Back before I ever learned to drive a car I was exposed to one of those Highway Patrol slide shows demonstrating, quite graphically, what can happen to people who have no respect for driving safety. Those incredibly gory on-the-scene color pictures were burned into my brain and are still there. The result? I have a great respect for what a ton of moving metal and excessive speed can do to human flesh and why seatbelts (actually not used back in my day) are not just for sissies. I feel I am a much safer driver today than I would have been had I not seen those slides.
So far from this board I have concluded that when I do get my tractor:
1. Seat belt and ROPS will be mandatory -- simply not and option.
2. My kids (3 and 8) will have to watch dad on his new putt-putt from a safe distance. In the beginning this may require binoculars. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif They will only be allowed on or near the tractor when it is powered down, tools on the ground and keys in Daddy's pocket.
3. I will stay away from anything resembling a slope until I have a pretty darn good feel for the controls and how to use them (this must sound pretty basic to most of you, huh?).
4. Take "baby" steps in learning the feel of the beast.
5. Always carry the bucket low when on the move.
6. Back up the steep slope, come down forward.
7. Pay attention to my own fluid/electrolyte levels on hot days.
8. "If it feels unsafe, it probably is".
As basic as it is, this is just the beginning of a list which I hope you all can add to, along with more stories (graphic or not) to demonstrate your point.
Unfortunately, I am human and I realize it will just be a matter of time before I break one of these rules, but I hope by burning as many of your experiences into my brain as I can, I can "tilt" the odds in my favor.
Since I am still shopping for my first tractor, they don't get any more "beginner" than I am. I have been reading this board avidly for months now, taking special notice of all your safety concerns, experiences and especially that OSHA "tractor safety" page that someone pointed us to (was that MarkC?). The net effect is that
<center><h2>YOU HAVE SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!!!</h2></center>
... and I want to thank you one and all!
Back before I ever learned to drive a car I was exposed to one of those Highway Patrol slide shows demonstrating, quite graphically, what can happen to people who have no respect for driving safety. Those incredibly gory on-the-scene color pictures were burned into my brain and are still there. The result? I have a great respect for what a ton of moving metal and excessive speed can do to human flesh and why seatbelts (actually not used back in my day) are not just for sissies. I feel I am a much safer driver today than I would have been had I not seen those slides.
So far from this board I have concluded that when I do get my tractor:
1. Seat belt and ROPS will be mandatory -- simply not and option.
2. My kids (3 and 8) will have to watch dad on his new putt-putt from a safe distance. In the beginning this may require binoculars. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif They will only be allowed on or near the tractor when it is powered down, tools on the ground and keys in Daddy's pocket.
3. I will stay away from anything resembling a slope until I have a pretty darn good feel for the controls and how to use them (this must sound pretty basic to most of you, huh?).
4. Take "baby" steps in learning the feel of the beast.
5. Always carry the bucket low when on the move.
6. Back up the steep slope, come down forward.
7. Pay attention to my own fluid/electrolyte levels on hot days.
8. "If it feels unsafe, it probably is".
As basic as it is, this is just the beginning of a list which I hope you all can add to, along with more stories (graphic or not) to demonstrate your point.
Unfortunately, I am human and I realize it will just be a matter of time before I break one of these rules, but I hope by burning as many of your experiences into my brain as I can, I can "tilt" the odds in my favor.