I hope I can prevent this from happening to other operators.

[apeckham]

May 20 2025 but for the grace of God should have been the date in my gravestone. I did everything that you would do to win a Darwin award.
Alone, this 70 year old fudd takes the TLB into the woods to harvest a few trees for firewood. Did not wear protective gear as usual. I also did a bit ot backhoe work.
I carried out 3 bucket loads of wood, and decided I would back the BH to the edge of a 12 to 15' rocky embankment to bang around the hoe to shake off all the dirt.
I set the bucket the in crushed stone. I did not set the brake or lower the stabilizers. I was off the machine and was done cleaning the machine, about to put in the equipment building and get lunch
The tractor started to roll backwards over the embankment. At that point I could have just grabbed the forward reverser lever, or just let her go. Foolishly I reached across the floorboard and unsuccessfully tried to push the brakes.
I was dragged with the tractor down the steep rocky embankment covered with dirt, leaves and dog feces from the kennel
I sort of slow motion, the tractor front tire rolled over my left calf, dragging me along in it's decent.
Hand the rear wheel or buck done this, I would have been smushed lifeless.
Calf was crushed. Multiple compound fractures bone piercing the bloody flesh.
I screamed for help. Fortunately my wife was in barn, and called for the EMT's.
They did a great job getting to me to the trauma center 35 minutes away.
I was dehydrated in shock, bleeding and otherwise beat up all over.
My platoon of guardian angels prevented my knee and ankle from being destroyed, thus the surgical team was able to install at least a 1/2 pound of titanium to reconstruct what was left of my calf, as there was enough bone left to attach the titanium bones to the joints. I have nerve damage.
There is no need to comment how stupid, careless, and lucky to be alive I am.
I know PTSD well now. Thanking God for another chance
At some point I need to publish my 7 rules of gun safety also

Glad you made it out alive!

 

[mike69440]

Several years ago I had a finger get mangled. Went to surgeon the next day. He was a younger guy and was very excited to see my injuries. He said "I'm the guy you want. I don't work on anything but wrists and hands. They fascinate me."

Everything worked out great.

As mentioned before, be sure to be diligent about physical therapy as soon as they allow it.

Going home tomorrow, physical therapy was rough, especially working the leg. I have some nerve damage, but the leg slowly improving. A few inches either way, I would have either lost the foot or the leg and knee. My heart goes out to all the amputees in here. I can't imagine the life adjustment.
I surely overwork my guardian angels.

 

[mike69440]

As I keep thinking about the incident, it was a 4th degree act of stupidity, as it I had just done one of any one of four actions, I would not have been hurt.
In the future, I hope that I consider what I am doing, rather than acting impulsively or mindlessly.

 

[Quaffer]

I surely overwork my guardian angels.

Glad it is healing and a good reminder for us all.

 

[MossRoad]

As I keep thinking about the incident, it was a 4th degree act of stupidity, as it I had just done one of any one of four actions, I would not have been hurt.
In the future, I hope that I consider what I am doing, rather than acting impulsively or mindlessly.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're alive and more aware now, and sharing it with the rest of us makes us a bit safer as well.

Looks like they raided the hardware store for your leg. I have similar in my back. Can't even feel it.

When my finger got mangled and they took the cast off, I could barely touch my fingertip to my thumb tip. Very painful. After several months of therapy I could make a full fist and shake it at the kids on my lawn!

 

[bearthebruce]

Glad to hear you are recovering and am thankful for your sharing.

For me, I only have one guardian angel and so my margin of stupidity comes into play far more soon than yours!

I appreciate your honesty and willingness to let us all know how easy and how fast these can go south.

I hope you heal up completely and soon get back to tractoring!

 

[BackRoad]

Man, that looks like a hardware store inside your leg...!

Stay focused on your rehab...just do it!

 

[dodge man]

Glad to hear your headed home! Your orthopedic surgeon earned his money on that one. Ouch.

 

[newbury]

These "accident reports" fascinate me.
Glad to read mike69940 is recovering for the next one.
It's occurrences like this that slow me down. I'll go to do something I did 20 years ago then think twice "what may go wrong".
Somebody should make a compilation of all the whoops we do.

 

[square1]

I'll go to do something I did 20 years ago then think twice "what may go wrong".

Yep... and hate the unnerving after-the-act or mid-act thought of how badly this could go / could have went. I shudder sometimes, but the "what may go wrong" pre-thoughts are getting better with age.

Glad to hear you are on the mend @mike69440 . That's quite a nuts & bolts collection!