Tractors behaving badly

TheMan419 · Dec 5, 2017

Bridgehunter.com | O'Neal Bridge

Some specs on the bridge. Looks like the deck was only 16 ft wide. Looking at the news articles and the pictures in the above link one approach to the bridge is a curve. So it might be that he took it too close or too wide and hit the abutment. Vertical clearance is reported to be 16ft as well so height likely not an issue.

It was built in 1892. So in today's world it would be a one lane bridge. Two cars could likely pass on it, but not Semi's.....

Creamer · Dec 5, 2017

I cannot imagine any farmer not being careful about starting a cross a bridge like that with any piece of equipment as it is wider than the tractor and you make sure you are centered in the superstructure because you do not want to damage the piece of equipment.

Having said that I do know of a farmer 35 years ago that was driving a versatile 4WD with a large chisel plow across a bridge with a superstructure near Valley City, ND that had been across the bridge many times before but forgot that this was a new, larger chisel plow that stuck up higher and caught the superstructure bringing the tractor and to an almost instant stop.

mcfarmall · Dec 5, 2017

RobS said:
Yeah, I grew up not far from there...

I'm sure modern bridges are stronger but most don't have the character of these old structures. There is a bridge park/museum off I-94 between Battle Creek and Marshall that is nice to visit.

There's also a historic Camel Back bridge in Mottville, MI on US-12. MDOT built a new, modern structure alongside the old one and now it's a historical site. You can walk or ride bike across the old one.

bcp · Dec 5, 2017

Creamer said:
I cannot imagine any farmer not being careful ....

But many tractor drivers aren't farmers.

Bruce

RobS · Dec 5, 2017

mcfarmall said:
There's also a historic Camel Back bridge in Mottville, MI on US-12. MDOT built a new, modern structure alongside the old one and now it's a historical site. You can walk or ride bike across the old one.

I know that one well, just a short bike ride from where I live now!

stingray1 · Dec 5, 2017

Stupidly is as dangerous as drugs or alcohol.

Creamer · Dec 5, 2017

bcp said:
But many tractor drivers aren't farmers.

Bruce

Well said! I was trying to find a way to state it but you cleared it up!

DieselBound · Dec 5, 2017

I pretty much figure that the main culprit was the weight of the tractor and equipment. It's almost a chicken and egg thing going on here, but I suspect that's what provided the initial over-stressing. The implement then snagged on the structure and was more able to then start bending the structure because it, structure's integrity, was compromised at that point. Also looks like he might have been heavy to one side to start with (and then tried steering away from the right side of the collapsing structure?).

I doubt the tractor operator was all that familiar with the equipment or the bridge.

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2017

It sure was a pretty one...

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2017

mcfarmall said:
There's also a historic Camel Back bridge in Mottville, MI on US-12. MDOT built a new, modern structure alongside the old one and now it's a historical site. You can walk or ride bike across the old one.