Another tractor fatality

[bota7800]

Larimer County, CO:

Watching the news tonight there was a report of a rollover fatality of a guy trying to get his truck unstuck. There were no other details.

I have been a little lax using my seatbelt lately with all the all the backblade snowplowing.

Let's be careful out there.

 

[EarPlug]

LARIMER COUNTY - Police say a 60-year-old man died Monday morning after his tractor flipped over on top of him.

According to Dean A. Beers of the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, Barry Precht got his pickup truck stuck Sunday evening on private property near the intersection of Larimer County Roads 11 and 30.

Precht, the property owner who resided in Pahrump, Nevada, returned on Monday with a family friend to recover the pickup with a tractor, according to the coroner’s office.

Police say while pulling on the truck, the tractor rotated on its rear axle, flipped backwards and fell on top of Precht, killing him.

An autopsy conducted by Forensic Pathologist Dr. John D. Carver revealed Precht’s death was caused by mechanical asphyxia. His death has been ruled accidental, according to the coroner’s office.

Authorities say there was no evidence of alcohol or other drugs being factors in the accident, however, toxicology reports are pending.

Police had earlier reported Precht was part of a hunting party, but according to the coroner’s office, Precht was not hunting, nor was hunting related to this incident.




(Copyright KUSA*TV, All Rights Reserved)
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=63189

 

[N80]

It would be nice to know, but probably of no interest to the general newspaper reading public, if he had a ROPS, was wearing his seatbelt and where he attached the chain to the tractor. I'm guessing no, no and on the drawbar between the lower hitch arms.

 

[Soundguy]

My guess is the convienient 'toplink' connection point.. even worse than the 3pt-drawbar.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[N80]

My guess is the convienient 'toplink' connection point.. even worse than the 3pt-drawbar.. etc.

Soundguy

Yep, hadn't thought of that. One wonders if its a ignorance issue (which would be my case if I wasn't a member here) or if it is a matter of laziness. You have to bend down, and sometimes get on the ground to hook to the fixed drawbar. Maybe a combo of both.

 

[RAS323]

I'd never consider hooking on to the top link to pull anything--is this a common practice? I've had tractors for several years now and always pull from the lowest position possible.

 

[jk96]

Yep, hadn't thought of that. One wonders if its a ignorance issue (which would be my case if I wasn't a member here)

One other thought comes to mind is the ignorance of how a gear works compared to a hydro. Not that this individual didn't have experience, just that I can see how this could easily happen to someone on a powerful a gear that wasn't experienced. Once the front started to lift, it probably happened in a flash, and can see how it could be difficult to stop or get your foot on the clutch in a panic. Sad regardless, and just another reminder to stay alert and don't get too lax on safety.

 

[Defective]

I'd never consider hooking on to the top link to pull anything--is this a common practice?

Strangely enough...yes...far too common.

I've had tractors for several years now and always pull from the lowest position possible.

Congratulations!

You managed to learn one of the most important lessons of your life without getting hurt.

 

[N80]

I'd never consider hooking on to the top link to pull anything--is this a common practice? I've had tractors for several years now and always pull from the lowest position possible.

Well, it might not be real common since in some cases you might only get to do it once.