Ashamed ...snow blower accident

[MikeInMaine]

I am a first-year PTO blower user, and I appreciate your sharing the details of your frightening and painful accident. Tractors give us lots of opportunities to learn from our mistakes. I wish you all the best, and a quick recovery.

Mike

 

[Don87]

Shouldn't the blower have stopped running when you got off?

As 'First One' posted, please, don't ever bet your life or body parts on a simple switch. The best way is to shut the tractor engine off while clearing a clog, but the next best thing is using a (wooden) broom handle or something similar.........just in case.

Never ever use your hands unless the engine is off.:thumbsup:

 

[Eyeshade]

Don't be ashamed, I'm glad you posted. It is a reminder to us all to be vigilant when using power equipment. Your post may have saved some fingers and hands. Get well.

 

[Markcuda]

Wow, I never gave it a second thought yesterday when I cleaned out my blower while the motor was still running
Before I back it into the garage, I get off and broom off all the snow(while the tractor is running), I sure will think about this practice in the future.
I do like all ten of my meat hooks

 

[Mace Canute]

Wow. Sorry about you accident. About 20 years ago I was snowblowing our driveway with a 420 with a single stage snowblower. I was making good time and was blowing past the dog house and the golden retriever housed there was deathly afraid of the snowblower. He was at the end of his very 25' heavy chain in the opposite direction. All of a sudden the snowblower started jumping aroung and grinding and pulling the dog toward it. The dog had all four brakes on and I got the thing shut off with about 3' to spare. It took me half a day to pull that chain out. Prior to that I was a little careless with people and animals around. I learned a good lesson there and so did my dog.

Sounds like your dog already knew the snowblower was dangerous before it tried to eat him! (I'm really glad he wasn't hurt! )

Some have pointed out quite correctly that a person should always use a stick to unclog a plugged snowblower but you have to be very careful even with a stick. If you poke it down through the snow blockage and the end connects just right (or should that be just wrong?) with the impeller, it could get batted right out at you. If your face happens to be in the way...well, you can figure out all the bad things that could happen if you get even a blunt end of a stick slammed into your face!

 

[mmurphy]

Wish you a speedy recovery.
Always remember stored energy from a wedged clog. Blower may be turned off, but still could get your fingers when freed. I always put a stick in to move jammed parts to make sure that does not happen.

 

[texasjohn]

Sad to hear about the mishap...glad things are recovering...wish you all the best, thanks for sharing....makes me glad I live where I don't need a snow blower...but I've got other stuff that is equally dangerous!

 

[Don87]

Sounds like your dog already knew the snowblower was dangerous before it tried to eat him! (I'm really glad he wasn't hurt! )

Some have pointed out quite correctly that a person should always use a stick to unclog a plugged snowblower but you have to be very careful even with a stick. If you poke it down through the snow blockage and the end connects just right (or should that be just wrong?) with the impeller, it could get batted right out at you. If your face happens to be in the way...well, you can figure out all the bad things that could happen if you get even a blunt end of a stick slammed into your face!

Thanx , I forgot to add that part.

 

[Egon]

Have a speedy recovery.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Stuff happens to everyone.

 

[DavidVT]

Good luck on the mending! Don't be ashamed, it is just a matter of confirming one's humanity. As others said, ##it happens. I must admit when you started the story mentioning the kids, i hesitated to finish reading for fear of where you were going with it.

Even with the engine off there is a risk of what I call 'stored torque' being released.

I loved the dog story and could see myself doing that. Did the poor dog ever trust you again?

Today I start a rebuild on an old John Deere trax26 snowblower I picked up for 60 bucks. Electric start kit arrived last night. This thread will help as a reminder to watch my fingers.

Back when I was a kid I recall a news story of a drunk road crew truck mounted snowblower driver vs child incident that did not work out well for the child. That mental image and pto farm accident films for my ems work have served to make me overly respect large rotating bone crushing equipment for my entire life.