ANY ONE HERE PACKING WHEN USING YOUR TRACTORS???

[Glenn9643]

Bob, we’ve probably got more criminals than our share around here but my concern when I’m on the tractor is with the pesky critters. As JerryG said earlier, the coyotes have multiplied to the point they’re a real nuisance in many areas around here. My neighbor lost several calves to them last year and several neighborhood pets have been killed. Seems like I can get closer to cottonmouths and copperheads on the tractor too. I guess they aren’t alarmed by the tractor as they are by a person walking but there have been several times when I wished I had a rifle to take care of them.
I recall a post a year or so ago about a rifle carrier mounted to the FEL arms I think. I’ve been considering something like that. Maybe some PVC capped on one end about the right size to hold the rifle, with a cheap gun case inside to keep dust or moisture off the rifle while it’s riding. With all the dust I seem to generate running the tractor that would be important.

Cliff,
I pack deet myself. There's always a can of OFF in my toolbox. Skeeters seem to be a problem everywhere!

 

[cowboydoc]

I carry a rifle at times when I mow hay. There are usually always quite a few coyotes out when you start mowing, especially at night. In the pickups on the place there is always a rifle in the gunrack. When we gather cattle usually have a sidearm and rifle.

 

[Bird]

I never carried a gun myself, although I saw lots of coyotes while working hay. There was no convenient place to carry a gun and with no cab on the tractor, and the amount of dust and debris you stir up, a gun sure would have gotten dirty. But the neighbor who was full time in the hay business and using only air-conditioned cab tractors said he always carried his rifle to shoot coyotes and feral hogs every chance he got.

Incidentally, due to recent changes in both state and federal laws, I learned a couple of months ago that I could get qualified to carry a concealed weapon without spending hardly any money, and my wife thought I should do it, so I did. It was kinda fun going to the police pistol range to qualify again, and I saw a number of other retirees that I hadn't seen in 20 years, but I'm still not likely to actually carry a pistol; just got all the ID to make it legal if I should ever want to carry one. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

I normally have a .38 revolver in my pocket for small varmits and such. Also, the 2 legged varmits.

As far as the concern about bouncing around on the tractor...firearms don't discharge that easily The probability of an accidental discharge is quite low...more likely to be hit by lightning.

As far as a rifle...I thought about that but never came up with a method to secure the rifle. Bouncing around on the tractor would not discharge the weapon, but it could fall to the ground. That wouldn't be a good thing if you're rotary cutting. Also, I'd be concerned about a rifle getting caught going through brush as my ROPS is. Not a show-stopper, but something to consider. Definitely would not keep a round in the chamber as brush could snag the trigger. That would be bad... A scabbard that covers the trigger guard in it's entirety would be necessary.

Now, I carry that .38 in a pocket holster. If I were to wear a sidearm exposed, I wouldn't keep one in the chamber. Again, this is due to brush snagging the gun. I suppose a shoulder holster would be the best method for an exposed handgun while on a tractor, but I don't care for shoulder holsters.

So, that .38 with 5 rounds of "+P" ammo is adequate for me.

 

[slowzuki]

I think it is illegal in Canada to carry a rifle loaded and uncased in a tractor. Coyotes here won't stay within sight of ya cause when they are in sight there are usually .223 rounds heading their way.

 

[YanmarFever]

Im with you Roy
I pack a small glock 26 with me 24-7. My Dads two field hands have both been robbed at gun point while on the tractor. One of them was made to disrobe and hand the keys over so they could get away! This was in Homestead Florida.
Some dirty slimy creep robbed my daughter at gun point last september at her house, now she packs a 38 SW.
Im semi retired from the home security industry, so I have seen a lot of what the 2 legged wolves can do to our loved ones at a moments notice. Now I live in a town thats full of rednecks and everyone packs a heater so there is virtually no crime here, everyone respects each other.
On the news the other day they announced that in a nearby town they were having a crime wave of thivery.
It seems that they were going after tractors, four wheelers & motorcycles. We have an idea who it is,but you have to catch them in the act. I also pack a few ONIONS on my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

"I pack a small glock 26 with me 24-7"

Glocks are great guns...I own a 19 and a 17. Both are great for carry and I do carry the 19 occasionally. I just prefer tucked in shirts so that precludes carrying a sidearm.
I'm normally wearing Bib-Overalls when I'm using the tractor. Since there is no belt required, I'd have to get a dedicated gun belt if I wanted to carry the Glock while on the tractor...so, that little .38 will do the job.

Since you like the G26's...you might want to look at the Kahr MK9. Really nice little pistol (easier to conceal then the G26 due to it's slimness). The MK9 is a great shooter, but a bit heavy for it's size.

 

[DaveinVa]

I've never carried while on the tractor. Thought about it! But I have needed and used a gun several times. Raccoons in the chicken coop, dogs chasing the horses and possums that meandered in circles after daylight. I also needed my shotgun to gain a little respect from a hunter whose dogs were under my house at midnight. Nothing against the hunter, I like hunting, but at first he was more interested in his game than getting the dogs away.

Dave

 

[8NTX]

I hired a dozer guy to do some work on my property a few years ago. He carried a .410 snake charmer with him in a special holster mounted in the cab. He explained that he often clears out drainage ditches for the county, and has had mocassins try to come into the cab after him. He used it to dispatch a couple of copperheads he found after he knocked down an old storage shed at my place.

I've considered loading some rat shot into a revolver to carry with me from time to time, esp. when doing work near the woods or water. Every time I spot a snake, I wish I had it. The last copperhead I saw was decapitated with a piece of 2" steel pipe that happened to be laying nearby.

 

[PineRidge]

PapaG I have never felt a need to carry a handgun while working on my TC-40D. Lately however there have been lots of scares in my area with rabid animals biting farmers. So I found it necessary to make a serious modification to my tractor to protect my personal well being and I now mow my grass fully armed. (Please see my attachment)

Now when one of them pesky raccoons jumps out in front of me I just push the button on my deluxe mounted joystick and my 50 caliber canopy mounted gun instantly jumps into action and does all the rest. I don't even have to worry about disposal of the carcass as the 50 caliber gun makes yard fertilizer out of the little varmints.

Now all I need to do is design some kind of a gadget to pick up all those spent shell casings in my grass. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif