BX Safety (w/ kids)

[r0GuE]

I suppose this applies to all tractors, but mines a BX and if you put BX on a post BOY do you get action around here
This is the first full summer living at my new place with the BX. I had the tractor all last summer but we didn't move there until October. So I am realizing now, that I will NOT be able to completly keep my kids off the tractor (when its parked). I already drop the deck and loader and relieve pressure from the valves when parking it. Is there anything else I can/should do to kid proof this monster. I was not raised around equipment and I know I still have alot to learn. I learned that the deck will drop with the tractor shut off when I dropped it on my wifes foot showing her how the levers work
That brought me to realize that this machine can do some harm. Any advice is apreciated, as I sure do love my kids, and I don't want them injured because I couldn't live without a BX!

 

[Old_Wanker]

Ive had no problems with the kids on the tractor when its off other than telling them not to put their fingers in the exhaust pipe. They do seem to have a knack of hurting themselves on the implements though (when theyre off the tractor). Implements arent the most stable when theyre not on the 3pt and its next to impossible to keep all the kids away from the implements all the time.

 

[wdn]

Hi Rogue, here are some suggestions for kids. Park it with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake engaged. Put chocks on the wheels. Remove the ignition key and leave it in a safe place. (I leave my keys in the ignition but on the other hand mine is stored in a closed garage and my younger boy is 12 now).

Get in the habit of leaving all the control levers in a known, safest position when you shut down the tractor for the day. For me it is: transmission in neutral, 3 point hitch hydraulic control in neutral, PTO selector in "rear PTO only" position (I have no rear PTO implements but I have the MMM), PTO clutch in neutral, throttle at idle, all electric lights off, parking brake engaged and locked. FEL and 3 point hitch lowered to the ground and (as you know) relieve the pressure in the hydraulic lines. Make sure the little darlings do not change any of the settings. You might want to engage the locking thingy on the FEL control lever as well. If you have the MMM atttached I would set the PTO lever to REAR ONLY just to avoid any accidents with mower blade if they managed to start your BX. Make it as unlikely as possible the kids could get the mower blades spinning.

In I like am a big clumsy kid myself, so before I get off the tractor with the engine running, I always lock the FEL, pull back the throttle to idle, put it in neutral and lock the parking brake. Always.

Also when I back it in reverse I always twist completely around in the seat and look behind me -- not just glance over the right shoulder.

 

[jasonf]

The only other thing I might add is that when Dad is working on the machine they are to approach him from the front of the tractor, NO walking up from behind. It is very easy for me to not see people when they approach me and my 2710 from the rear /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif.

 

[pennwalk]

I keep my tractor and the implements in the barn and I lock that bay. My girls haven't shown much interest in the tractor in fact their eyes glaze over and they drift out of the room if I try to tell them about the neat stuff I learned on TBN today. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Chris

 

[kubmech]

Rogue, The best way my Dad kept me from hurting myself around equipment (works good for firearms as well) was to teach me about it, this also takes some of the curiosity to a more manageable level. Show them that even if it's not running, the levers can still make bad stuff happen. You may forget one time and you know that's all it takes, is just that one time.

 

[Golfgar4]

Why not just take the kids out there and have them wash the tractor for you. Then you tell them that for every time you find them on the tractor, they have to wash it the way you showed them!/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif They'll never go near the thing again!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Charliebrn]

All very excellent points. One change i might suggest is to leave the range lever not in Neutral, but in Low range. Two reasons: One, if they get a hold of a key, they'd have to know to move the lever to Neutral to get it to start; and two: the tractor won't be able to be moved easily by pushing if it's in gear.

I do worry about someone coming up from me from behind though...especially when I'm doing a lot of FEL work. it worries me. the family knows better, but lots of neighbors kids don't. As annoying as those backup warnings are, and as much as I hate them, it might be something to consider....