Almost crushed by BX

[lfkfire]

I have a BX2350 and was greasing the mmm driveshaft. I had it backed up on some plastic ramps so that I could reconnect the PTO mmm shaft. It started creeping down the ramps and I tried to slide out from under it. The lower plate which had a trailer hitch ball on it began to pin my head to the ground so I pulled myself back up under the tractor. Then the hydro gearcase started to press on my head so I had to turn my head to the side. So there I was for about 45 minutes with the bottom plate pressing into my chest and my arms behind the rear axles until my daughter heard me yelling help!!! She backed it up the ramps so I could get out from under it. Lesson learned don't be in such a hurry that you don't set the parking brake (and let someone know if you are going to crawl under any type of vehicle.

 

[TripleR]

Lesson learned the scary way. I prefer to use floor jacks and jack stands, but be careful whatever method you choose.

Glad you are OK.

 

[KubotainNH]

Ouch. I prefer jacks too but always block the wheels if using ramps. Glad you're ok.

 

[creekbend]

The results could have been much worse. I'm sincerely glad that the outcome was more positive than negative.

 

[Renze]

I once had to back myself out from under a car after it fell of the jackstand, luckily i didnt have the wheels off. Had to hold my breath to lower my chest and move a foot, then breath with my chest pushing against the bottom of the car, then breath fully out and move another foot. When replacing brake pads i allways put the wheel i took off, under the car next to the jack, so if it DOES tumble off the jack, my legs dont get pinned. When working underneath it with the wheels off, i use jackstands on each side, no jacks !

 

[radioman]

Glad you weren't hurt. But I'm sorry , why did you need the tractor on ramps to reconnect the MMM pto? On my BX24 which is just like yours without BH- I just drop the deck on setting 1 and then approach it on left side of tractor. I was able to reconnect pto shaft this way, No ramps needed- in fact I think ramps makes things harder .

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

On my BX24 which is just like yours without BH- I just drop the deck on setting 1 and then approach it on left side of tractor.

that's how I do it... maybe my arms are longer than the OPs...

I do remember doing something similar years ago when I was 17... jacked up the back of my 1950 Mercury(bumper jack, of course) without blocking the wheels, to tie up the exhaust with some wire... while I'm under there, I feel the tire pushing real hard against my shoulder... luckily my Mom was in the house, heard me hollering and came out to step on the brake pedal so I could get out from under there. Never did that again!

Pete

 

[T Dew]

I always block the tires for this very reason, and I have also recently given up on wheel ramps. The other day I was visiting a neighbor (younger than I am), and I found myself criticizing him for using two floor jacks to rotate the tires with no jack stands. I have become my father I realized at that moment, since I remember doing similar things as a kid and getting chastised by dad. Of course, I was bulletproof when I was younger, but this post reminds us how quickly and easily it can happen to any of us. Thank God you got out from there with nothing worse than an injured pride.

I think making sure people know what you're doing is an important this story. I think of times when I am working under things and now realize I could in theory be trapped for hours or longer before someone would come looking.

 

[Ted Summey]

I am thankful you are ok. Nothing damaged but some pride. Being crushed is a fear of mine so I work accordingly.

 

[PeterK]

I've found the easiest way to connect the MMM PTO is to connect it first, before you attach the lift arms. Gives a lot more flexibility to get the shaft connected. No need to jack it up, it's plenty high for this operation as is. Glad you're OK, I would have freaked if that happened to me.

 

[lfkfire]

I didn't have the lift arms disconnected. I'll try that next time I do a grease job. Saw a man crushed because he had a car jacked up on cinder blocks and one or more of the blocks broke.

 

[TripleR]

I didn't have the lift arms disconnected. I'll try that next time I do a grease job. Saw a man crushed because he had a car jacked up on cinder blocks and one or more of the blocks broke.

So you unhooked the MMM shaft to grease it?

 

[lfkfire]

Yes, I guess I need to change the configuration of the zerk so I don't have to disconnect it.

 

[TripleR]

Yes, I guess I need to change the configuration of the zerk so I don't have to disconnect it.

We bought a long rubber hose for our grease gun and can grease ours on our BX2200 and BX2660, but you have to have the shaft turned just right, a hair one way or the other makes a difference.

We tried the method you are using a few times when we first got ours and it was just too much trouble. When you get use to it, it is not that bad, notice I didn't say "easy". I can't get down that low anymore so my wife now does the deck maintenance on them.

 

[lfkfire]

I know the feeling...easy to get down...someone please help me get up.

 

[TripleR]

I know the feeling...easy to get down...someone please help me get up.

A few weeks ago I had one of those "help, I've fallen and I can't get up" moments. My wife trying to get me up looked like a Laurel and Hardy movie.:laughing:

 

[powerpace]

Been to many emergency calls with a person under a vehicle. A few were just trapped and had various injuries but survived. Several died quickly. In the case of those that survived a second party was always present. Always chock and block any rolling equipment even on level ground.

 

[Defective]

Always chock and block any rolling equipment even on level ground.

Let's update this statement...

Always chock and block any rolling equipment and lift it ONLY on level ground.

 

[powerpace]

Let's update this statement...

Always chock and block any rolling equipment and lift it ONLY on level ground.

I have never been able to choose where my equipment breaks down. Most recently while digging stumps on a grade. Hydraulic hose with a pinhole leak.

 

[Defective]

But...did that breakdown absolutely require lifting the machine in place? If at all possible, I would find a way to move the machine to level ground for any repair involving a jack. Even a flat tire will generally roll enough to get the machine into a safe position for repair.