Careful where youre mowing.

[texredneck]

Dear Friends,
Its been many many years, but Ive seen a number of you still operate the old tricycle wheel tractors. I love these machines myself, however there are dangers and risks. Of course one must never forget the risk of operating any larger piece of quipment. Back in 1980, my grandad had a 1949 Farmall C. He had been mowing a patch of church property, and this patch had grown to include a large field theyd aquired. He was full of p*ss and vinegar and decieded to mow it. He said he dint bother to walk the pasture, it seemed alright. He took it at a fairly slow speed, excepting if there was danger, despite the tall grass hed see it. As he was mowing, heard a noise or a gut intinct, doesnt really remember. Looked down at the bush hog and the front tires dropped down into a hole and ripped the front end off and the tractor continued to go forward. This inturn showved the steering wheel right up where he was positioned. He got the rig stopped and the radiator had been ripped off all the way to the top from the rest of the tractor. He sustained only a minor bruise where the steering wheel glazed him. It was a day he never forgot. After this accident, got the tractor repaired and bought a massey ferg wide front end, sold it and bought a ford 3000 in 1985, hes still got it and loves it. A few years ago, after selling the farm and moving he was asked to help with a clearing project at a new church hes attending. Similar project. Not nearly as grown. At first he said hed rather not do it. He was in his mid to late 70's. Then he changed his mind, said he would cause he knows how to do it safer now. So with the ford he first walked the property wwith a few of the ole boys. Then he got the ford and he walked it acrss this pasture. He said it was the longest mowing job hes ever done...but nobody got hurt. I guess its just a word of warning that as many of others have said we get complacent in what we do. I am not a tractor owner. I do like tractors, but im a welder. I recenty had an OTJ injury with a grinder and see things a lot differnt. Tractors a great tool, and there even fun. However, all that fun and use can cause tragedy. Remember when we get hurt were not the only ones who suffer. Thanks for your time. Hope everyone is doing well

 

[Roger2561]

Tex, you were able to clearly articulate what needed to be said. I have been operating tractors since I was 12 years old (44 now) and can not count the number of times my gut told me not to go in a certain area. My dad taught me that it takes a man to listen to his gut and you can't go wrong, no matter what other people think. Thanks for posting. Roger

 

[texredneck]

Thanks Roger. I appreciate your kind words. Your dad sure is a wise man. Ive worked in construction as a welder for a number of years. Things I learned on the farm has helped me a lot. Its a dangerous world out there....stay safe y'all

 

[midlf]

You don't have to be mowing to get in trouble. I was taking our BX2230 into an area we don't normally go with the tractor. It's a hilly grass area between our woods and the neighbors hay field. Not normally mowed. In transit I found a large rock that caused one rear wheel to get airborne for a moment. Happened and was done before I could even get a good pucker up. Lesson, don't go too fast in unknown area.

 

[texredneck]

Definately true. I remember once wiht our farmall B gettting it going too fast. I was young and dumb. The ole girl caught air. My dad saw it from another pasture and was furious. He said he wasnt mentioning it to his dad cause id never be allowed to drive the tractror again. But my pop was very angery. Said He figured Id learnt my lesson from my soiled britches and hed learnt the same lesson long ago. But many a farmer learnt it the hard way. I dint think much at the time, looking back im amazed thats all he did or say. Guess my father is human after all /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif