Be careful where you place hands while tractoring

[Snowback]

What kind of tractor are we talking about here? My ROPS is almost two feet from the outside of the tire and nearly one foot behind the seat. The tire would hit long before the ROPS got close. I would have to be a contortionist with huge hands to grab the ROPS. It starts at the axle as 2x6 box and tapers to about 2x4 at the very top. There's a good size tool box hanging off the right side.

I have caught myself grabbing the top of the fender on numerous occasions though. But I'm not the only one. Both fender areas are rusted from using them as a hand hold. (Used tractor)

As they used to say at the amusement parks; "Please keep hands and feet inside the ride".

OK - I was not there, so I am just relaying this as explained. The Tractor is a Kubota L2600dt 4wd. There was a rough trail down into a ravine so I can see how the angle leaned the ROPS far enough over to contact the tree.

I was able to get a non-gory pic of the after-math from the next day. This was when they went back to look at the accident scene. Finger tip was still there wedged hard in that bad spot...

I was curious what the ROPS setup looked like and just pulled up a generic picture of an L2600 from the web. I can see how this goes down in my mind now. The ROPS do swing out closer to the rear tires, and then the off camber of the ruts and trail... It all adds up in my mind.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Even on my tractor, where the ROPS doesn't have the 'keyhole' or 'lightbulb' shape and the rear wheels are 9" wider than stock widest setting, I am often on enough of a slope to have the top of the ROPS cage hit tree trunks...

I too can see how this could easily happen with nothing more than a split seconds lack of attention.

Hope he heals up well...