Almost Bought the Farm

[RAllen]

I hesitated to post this but I thought it might be of help to someone. At least there are a couple of chuckles. Recently, I mentioned in another thread I could take my FEL off and on in about 3-4 minutes. Have done so maybe 10 times. The trick is to have a LEVEL spot.
Let me tell you what happened today to my 2910. With snow melt and water run-off, the spot I had dumped the FEL over 2 months ago was wet and muddy and the tractor was NOT level. The FEL ended up going on crooked and would not snap into place. After working with it for over 20 minutes, things really went to pot.

The bucket sank in the mud causing the FEL to go extremely far forward. The cross bar that goes over the hood of the tractor went forward denting the tractor hood top AND breaking one of the hydro. quick disconnects. Fluid started spraying all over the place, dousing me from head to toe. Realizing I had to get the frame off the hood, I over corrected. The pivot point arm (the upright that bears all the weight and attaches to the FEL frame] jumped over the FEL frame and came down on the clutch pedal were my foot had just been. I guess I was quick cause it didn't get me. But I figure a smashed knee and possibly a broken leg was a real possibility. It is funny, I guess, but the point of this is to be CAREFUL. A new hood and hydro. fitting will put everything right. Could have been worse. My dealer is in route to lift the FEL off the tractor and take it to the dealership. Do not think I want to look at it for a while.

Rick

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by RAllen on 04/26/01 09:53 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>It is funny, I guess,</font color=blue>

Dang, Rick, that ain't even funny when it happens to someone else. Glad the damage wasn't any worse, and that there were no injuries. Fortunately for me personally, I've never taken my loader off except in the shop building with a concrete floor, but we appreciate your posting of the message; should be a good wake up call for everyone to be sure they have a solid surface to park it on when they take it off.

Bird

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Thanks for taking a bullet for some of the rest of us. I'll just consider my loader to be welded on to my 2910.

Bill

 

[frank_f15]

RICK scary post. glad u wern't hurt.things can sure got to hell fast can't they? all readers take note!!!! thanks for posting it , took courage to post it. no one likes to admit mistakes.
frank

 

[2710Fan]

Wow...Sure sounded scary to me.

Thanks for sharing that experience. I know that it will make me think twice when I detach/reattach my loader.

JB

 

[paccorti]

Rick,

Glad you're ok. It never ceases to amaze how many ways you can get hurt with a tractor. The potential injury that surprises me (but not once I think about it) is the high pressure hydraulic leaks. My manual says that get too close and it couldl blast deep into your skin. Once again, glad you are ok.

Peter

 

[Harv]

It takes a certain amount of courage to share a story like that, Rick, but I think the impression it makes on the rest of us is well worth it. I think it's a safe bet that you just saved one or more of this group from making a similar mistake someday, with possible serious consequences.

I'm glad in general that a number of folks have had the guts to share their mishaps on this board. Nobody has "seen it all", so there is always more to learn, especially the what-not-to-do's.

I am also somewhat comforted by the fact that I'm not the only one with such tales to tell. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Cornfed]

Rick,
Glad to hear that you made it through that one and were able to tell about it. A cousin of mine in Nebraska was lifting something with the FEL on his tractor when one of the hydraulic lines snapped and sent fluid clear through his hand and up his arm. Infection set in and the Dr. had to remove two fingers to keep from losing more. He's alright now but it was not looking good for a while. I may look like some kind of a poster model for safety, but I always wear leather gloves and eye protection when operating any equipment just for that reason. Andy

 

[HR_Mutt]

RAllen
Thanks for the post.I was ready to take loader off and put it back on just because of the "quick and easy" posts. I've never done it before and now(after your post) a lot more care will be used.Glad you did not get hurt and can tell you from experience your tractor will be good as new again with a couple new parts.
regards
Mutt

 

[RobS]

Scary story Rick, but thanks for enlightening the rest of us. It's amazing how dangerous these seemingly innocent machines can be. We're approaching bush hogging season and I plan on teaching my wife the ins and outs so she can share some seat time. The safety messages are the hardest to get across. Stories like this will help. Glad you weren't injured /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif