Ballast box receiver to tow logs with chain & grapple?

[MossRoad]

Just so you know... and sure, its highly unlikely till it happens to you or someone you know...

Be safe.

CDC - NIOSH Update - NIOSH Warns: Improper Hitching to Tractors Can Be Fatal

Typical Cases

On September 3, 1991, a 71-year old male part-time farmer was fatally injured when his 1950-model tractor overturned to the rear while pulling a downed tree. He suffered multiple trauma with a fractured neck and jaw. The tow chain used to pull the tree had been hitched above the drawbar of the tractor. The tractor was not equipped with ROPS.

On December 3, 1991, a 33-year old male farm worker died as a result of multiple head and trunk injuries when the 1958-model tractor he was using to pull a pickup truck filled with wood overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been hitched high on the back of the tractor. The tractor did not have ROPS.

On January 3, 1994, a 42-year old female farmer died from chest injuries when a 1970-model tractor she was using to pull a loaded pickup truck out of snow overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been attached at the top link connection of the tractor's three point hitch. The tractor did not have a ROPS.

On June 22, 1996, a 29-year old male died from multiple crushing injuries when his 1950-model tractor flipped over, pinning him underneath. The operator of the tractor was clearing trees and brush in the yard of his newly built home. The tow chain was found to be attached to a six inch tree stump, and fastened at the top of the three point hitch attachment

On October 29, 1994, a 13-year old male sustained severe fatal head trauma when the 1953-model tractor he was using overturned to the rear while pulling a felled 18 inch diameter tree that was still partially attached at the stump. The tow chain had been hooked directly around the rear axle.

 

[MossRoad]

Last one and I'll get off my soapbox :tractor: :soapbox:...

An excerpt from this CDC article....
Fatalities Associated with Improper Hitching to Farm Tractors -- New York, 1991-1995

Public health officials and the news media can assist in dissemination of information to tractor operators on strategies to minimize the risk for rear rollover. In addition to installation of a ROPS and use of safety belts, careful selection of the hitching point is critical. For proper hitching to a tractor, the drawbar on a tractor should not be altered by raising or shortening it, and the load should never be attached directly to the axle (2); a two- or three-point hitch should never be used as a single-point hitch instead of the drawbar (10); and loads that attach by a single point should attach only to the drawbar. Other strategies for preventing injuries from rear rollovers include 1) ensuring operator familiarity with the safe use of the equipment; 2) selecting a strong tow chain with a length sufficient to allow adequate stopping distance between the towed object and the towing vehicle to avoid collision and potential rollover; 3) using front-end weights, which counteract lifting of the tractor front end; 4) using a slow, steady pull; 5) maintaining a clear work area to allow sufficient room for maneuvering; and 6) operating the tractor slowly and deliberately. Farm tractors are not designed for logging and other nonfarming activities; therefore, it is particularly important to observe these prevention strategies during such activities. Finally, when a tractor is used to free and tow a stuck vehicle, the operator should hitch the vehicles front-to-front and drive the towing tractor in reverse, which minimizes the risk for rollover by transmitting all the engine power of the towing vehicle through the chain to the other vehicle.

 

[mike48130]

Just so you know... and sure, its highly unlikely till it happens to you or someone you know...

Be safe.

CDC - NIOSH Update - NIOSH Warns: Improper Hitching to Tractors Can Be Fatal

Typical Cases

On September 3, 1991, a 71-year old male part-time farmer was fatally injured when his 1950-model tractor overturned to the rear while pulling a downed tree. He suffered multiple trauma with a fractured neck and jaw. The tow chain used to pull the tree had been hitched above the drawbar of the tractor. The tractor was not equipped with ROPS.

On December 3, 1991, a 33-year old male farm worker died as a result of multiple head and trunk injuries when the 1958-model tractor he was using to pull a pickup truck filled with wood overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been hitched high on the back of the tractor. The tractor did not have ROPS.

On January 3, 1994, a 42-year old female farmer died from chest injuries when a 1970-model tractor she was using to pull a loaded pickup truck out of snow overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been attached at the top link connection of the tractor's three point hitch. The tractor did not have a ROPS.

On June 22, 1996, a 29-year old male died from multiple crushing injuries when his 1950-model tractor flipped over, pinning him underneath. The operator of the tractor was clearing trees and brush in the yard of his newly built home. The tow chain was found to be attached to a six inch tree stump, and fastened at the top of the three point hitch attachment

On October 29, 1994, a 13-year old male sustained severe fatal head trauma when the 1953-model tractor he was using overturned to the rear while pulling a felled 18 inch diameter tree that was still partially attached at the stump. The tow chain had been hooked directly around the rear axle.

Well I would say the common thread there is that they all are older tractors and probably didn't have loaders on them. The second part of it is they were probably all manual transmissions. You need to press the clutch to stop the tractor from pulling. With the hydros your foot needs to be on the pedal to drive.

I can't begin to say how many stumps and logs I pulled with a 9n when I was a kid and never even came close to an issue. Need to pay attention to what you are doing. No different than anything else like dropping tees. Have a plan be prepared and pay attention.

 

[mike48130]

Also he will probably have R4 tires which don't pull worth crap. Yeah I know some of you like them but if you ever used the same tractor with good AG tires you would never go back.

 

[sideskraft]

Also he will probably have R4 tires which don't pull worth crap. Yeah I know some of you like them but if you ever used the same tractor with good AG tires you would never go back.

You're right Mike, it's got those "tough looking" R4 tires. There is very little if any mud on our property, and I will be doing some driving over lawn areas, so those tires will be a good compromise. I've always liked the look of traditional ag tires with their wicked lugs, and my hope is that in the near future we'll have a nice big property where those tires will be right at home.

 

[MossRoad]

Also he will probably have R4 tires which don't pull worth crap. Yeah I know some of you like them but if you ever used the same tractor with good AG tires you would never go back.

Yes, R4 tires suck. I had them on my IH2500b. Crap for traction. Good for heavy loads and puncture resistance, though. But they look manly and your brain thinks "industrial tires" means better, when it really means "construction sites are full of sharp things". Turfs and chains, baby. Turfs and chains. :laughing:

 

[4570Man]

Ballast box receiver to tow logs with chain & grapple?

Just so you know... and sure, its highly unlikely till it happens to you or someone you know...

Be safe.

CDC - NIOSH Update - NIOSH Warns: Improper Hitching to Tractors Can Be Fatal

Typical Cases

On September 3, 1991, a 71-year old male part-time farmer was fatally injured when his 1950-model tractor overturned to the rear while pulling a downed tree. He suffered multiple trauma with a fractured neck and jaw. The tow chain used to pull the tree had been hitched above the drawbar of the tractor. The tractor was not equipped with ROPS.

On December 3, 1991, a 33-year old male farm worker died as a result of multiple head and trunk injuries when the 1958-model tractor he was using to pull a pickup truck filled with wood overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been hitched high on the back of the tractor. The tractor did not have ROPS.

On January 3, 1994, a 42-year old female farmer died from chest injuries when a 1970-model tractor she was using to pull a loaded pickup truck out of snow overturned to the rear. The tow chain had been attached at the top link connection of the tractor's three point hitch. The tractor did not have a ROPS.

On June 22, 1996, a 29-year old male died from multiple crushing injuries when his 1950-model tractor flipped over, pinning him underneath. The operator of the tractor was clearing trees and brush in the yard of his newly built home. The tow chain was found to be attached to a six inch tree stump, and fastened at the top of the three point hitch attachment

On October 29, 1994, a 13-year old male sustained severe fatal head trauma when the 1953-model tractor he was using overturned to the rear while pulling a felled 18 inch diameter tree that was still partially attached at the stump. The tow chain had been hooked directly around the rear axle.

They’re all ancient tractors. Find one case involving a modern tractor with a loader. Nobody warns about the dangers of driving your truck to work or taking little Jonny to the swimming pool, but mention drilling a hole in a ROPS or pretty much anything involving a tractor and there’s no shortage of safety police.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Re: Ballast box receiver to tow logs with chain & grapple?

They’re all ancient tractors. Find one case involving a modern tractor with a loader. Nobody warns about the dangers of driving your truck to work or taking little Jonny to the swimming pool, but mention drilling a hole in a ROPS or pretty much anything involving a tractor and there’s no shortage of safety police.

Actually, I have a manual tractor, and I often use it in the woods without the loader. But never without a ROPS and seatbelt ...

 

[PhysAssist]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I was just at Tractor Supply this afternoon picking up some anti-gel additive so I'll be ready when I fill up the tank. I was also at Harbor Freight, and while looking at their Quick Hitch, I think that top hook would work perfectly to skid logs. If I get that HF hitch, I can hook onto the back blade or 6ft bush hog that are part of the tractor deal and use one or the other as a ballast when I'm doing some serious loader work. That will save me from buying the ballast box, at least for awhile. I don't have a need for the bush hog, so I'll likely sell it and use the proceeds to buy other stuff. I'm sure that my better half will be keeping a close eye on any implement or attachment purchases I'm proposing. I just bought our first log splitter, a nice little 5 ton electric unit, and I can't wait to try it.

De nada!

On a side- topic: [Warning: *potentially inflammatory side-issue*]

What do you use in your diesel for anti-gelling.

There have been tons of threads on diesel additives and the opinions expressed are like those of every other subjective choice- varied and often contradictory, but I haven't found anything I'm particularly happy with, gone from Power Service Diesel to Seafoam to a couple of less well-known brands, with none working to great effect on keeping our F350 starting in cold weather [which is the only time we truly need it for anything- to plow with...]

Our Kubota B2320 OTOH starts pretty much first time every time, as long as the operator remembers to activate the glow plugs for a sufficient duration before turning it over- regardless of what additives we have tried.

Now back to the thread topic:
You wouldn't be the first to use your quick hitch that way- a quick search of TBN brought up this thread I remembered having read:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/216431-log-tree-skidding-your-quick.html

Enjoy!
PA

 

[mike48130]

If I recall correctly the HF quick hitch top link is not adjustable. You might find it does not work with many 3pt attachments. I had one but seemed like more of a hassle unless you set up all your implements the same and with stands. I like the 3 pt trailer hitch with the large D ring on top. I use it like you said you would use the quick hitch and can move the trailers quickly.