Over The Shoulder Restraints vs Seat Belts

[Qapla]

Don't know about the specs. However, I can say that our tractor lives outside in the Florida weather. That means it gets rained on often and endures rather hot, sunny weather.

The seat-belts have never failed. We are in the process of trading in a 2005 model and checked the tractor for various problems and the seat-belts are just fine. The buckles even still work.

Somehow, I just don't think that trying to fix a problem that is not really a problem is worth further restraining the operator with a device that will either be cumbersome, restrictive and clumsy or will just plain be ineffective.

The idea of trying to get one that will fit all tractors and operators and still allow for the operator to reach all controls and be able to see what is happening all around is beyond the ability of such a device.

Keep in mind, the restrains in the "amusement rides" are designed to only allow the user to scream, not to do anything functional. The "over-the-shoulder restraint bar" in a skid-steer is designed to lock/unlock the controls so the operator does not cause problems getting in/out of the device. Also, in neither of the two uses (amusement/skid steer) there is nothing behind the person in the seat to operate of watch. The tractor is a completely different situation.

I will stick with the seatbelt ... if it ever needs replacing, that is easy enough.

 

[nimblemotors]

The only way to test seat belts is destructive testing, you can't tell by looking at them if they are bad. NHRA requires they are replaced every two years. But clearly the seatbelt in a tractor is much different than a car or even racecar, it is there only to keep you from flying out in a rollover.
The seat belt going bad is only a small issue. My main concern is that I see myself climbing in/out of the seat all the time, and find a seatbelt "cumbersome" to latch and unlatch, I think they are in my car, whereas a shoulder bar could be easy to just raise and lower. If you don't need it, just leave it up.
I can see it being too restraining if you must turn and look behind you.
Now I can imagine designing it so the shoulder bar rotates with you as well,
but let's just consider the whole thing a dumb idea.

My 530 is 7ft wide and is unlikely to rollover, these newer smaller very narrow tractors are considerable more dangerous in that regard.
I plan to grade a very steep lot so I am concerned about it, but I think being careful is more important than any equipment.

Don't know about the specs. However, I can say that our tractor lives outside in the Florida weather. That means it gets rained on often and endures rather hot, sunny weather.

The seat-belts have never failed. We are in the process of trading in a 2005 model and checked the tractor for various problems and the seat-belts are just fine. The buckles even still work.

Somehow, I just don't think that trying to fix a problem that is not really a problem is worth further restraining the operator with a device that will either be cumbersome, restrictive and clumsy or will just plain be ineffective.

The idea of trying to get one that will fit all tractors and operators and still allow for the operator to reach all controls and be able to see what is happening all around is beyond the ability of such a device.

Keep in mind, the restrains in the "amusement rides" are designed to only allow the user to scream, not to do anything functional. The "over-the-shoulder restraint bar" in a skid-steer is designed to lock/unlock the controls so the operator does not cause problems getting in/out of the device. Also, in neither of the two uses (amusement/skid steer) there is nothing behind the person in the seat to operate of watch. The tractor is a completely different situation.

I will stick with the seatbelt ... if it ever needs replacing, that is easy enough.

 

[Qapla]

The only way to test seat belts is destructive testing, you can't tell by looking at them if they are bad...

I don't know. Seems to me if I look at my belt and discovered it was fraying or that it was cut half-way across where it goes by some part of the tractor or the buckle won't release or won't catch I could determine if it were bad without "destructive testing".

Lookig at one that is in useable condition may be a bit harder to determine. But, more than likely, if it is in good condition it is not going to fail.

I think being careful is more important than any equipment...

This I will agree with. Even with saftey devices careless people get injured or injure others.

 

[creekbend]

re:nimblemotors Hopefully you will not find my remarks as being offensive in any way. There is an old adage that addresses the matter that with age comes wisdom--most of the time. I have learned to not take anything for granted. In your previous post, you stated that your 530 is 7 foot wide and is less likely to turn over than a more narrow width tractor. This is normally the case, but not always. An example to consider? In the early 1970's in Mendota, Virginia, a friend of mine had a lot on Clinch Mountain. He purchased a mobile home and wanted to place it on the top of his lot that already had an existing road leading to it. The 4WD truck that he owned did not have the sufficient power to complete the moving job because of the steep incline and grade. He ended up hiring a man that had a JD Dozer--don't remember the model--to do the job. The end results were not expected by either party involved. The dozer started sliding and the lack of traction and existing steep grade, caused the dozer and mobile home to both slide off the side of the mountain. Although the dozer was equipped with a protective cage, the driver was killed as a result of turning over. I did not see the accident happen, but after my friend called me about it, I did see the overturned dozer and mobile home. The mobile home was a complete loss, but the unfortunate reality was that a person died. Anything can happen and usually when we least expect it. By the way, I wish you the best in your endeavor.

 

[deereman75]

I HATE those bars. When we rented a bobcat, it had one of those, and it was a real pain. My uncles old bobcat didnt have any safety switches what so ever. His new john deere doesnt have a bar, but you have to have the cab door shut for it to move, and that is much better. If I ever get anything with one of those bars, the first thing I would do is take the angle grinder to it.