Jury orders John Deere to pay $5 million for Stillwater man's tractor death

[TractorGuy]

"Beall's attorneys said Deere痴 manufacturing failed to add additional weight to the rear of the tractor to counterbalance the almost 700-pound front-end loader, before it left the Deere plant in Georgia. The weight was also not added at the local dealership."

Jury orders John Deere to pay $5 million for Stillwater man's tractor death | News | stwnewspress.com

 

[TMGT]

Saw this the other day, was going to post it up but haven't had time.

From reading the article I feel for the loss of a loved one but am worried of the presedent set by rewarding improper operation by an individual.
I hope deer is able to appeal the verdict.

This is my opinion based on the information presented in the article.

 

[cholland]

Yeah scary verdict. Following that logic truck manufacturers should be including trailer brake controllers if they are necessary for safe towing at rated capacity.
Terrible loss for the family. Many activities outside are inherently dangerous. It is up to the individual to read the manual, take the proper precautions and accept a certain amount of risk.

 

[aczlan]

Yeah scary verdict. Following that logic truck manufacturers should be including trailer brake controllers if they are necessary for safe towing at rated capacity.
Terrible loss for the family. Many activities outside are inherently dangerous. It is up to the individual to read the manual, take the proper precautions and accept a certain amount of risk.

And weight distribution hitches as well.

Aaron Z

 

[Wagtail]

Pure and simple 'operator error' by an inexperienced person... heck, even experienced operators have 'stained underwear' moments from time to time.

I took a "Material Handling" course whilst in the Navy (civie course payed for by the mob) where I got qualifications for forklift, rigging loads and crane 'dogging'. ALL of those skills transferred to my operation of my tractor.

It's a 'civil suit' and will be tossed on appeal.

 

[Travelover]

My Kubota was delivered with a FEL and no ballast in the tires or attached. The first thing I did, as a new inexperienced owner, was try to move a big rock and I planted it upright on its FEL and front wheels. Thankfully neither I nor tractor was injured.

 

[kthompson]

Would make more sense to require operators training like driving training before you were allowed to own a tractor. Then that does not protect anyone in your family who hopes on the tractor to help out. Loss of life is sad for it is forever. However there is no way to protect a person who is not willing to "think" for themselves.

 

[jaxs]

"Same as buzzards and worms,lawyers gotta eat to".

 

[dragoneggs]

I agree... purely operator error. Funny how people can jump on a tractor with zero training or experience that is far more dangerous than a licensed vehicle and then blame someone else for their incompetence because they failed to 'read the instructions'. Are we saying the JD dealership should be required to sell counterweights if no rear implement is involved in the sale? Or come to the owner's place to hook up the tractor for proper operation. I think a good dealer should discuss safety and some operational things to be aware of... but I don't think it is their duty at all.

 

[aczlan]

What it will likely come to is a sign-off sheet where you sign off that you understand that you need rear ballast if you're using a loader.

More paperwork, yay...

Aaron Z