CK30HST near death experience

[TractorLegend]

I was clearing a trail on my property on some steeper area. As I was contorting my body looking behind frequently, my left knee popped the range shifter out of low to neutral when I was part way up hill. So of course the rig goes willy nilly backward unexpectedly as my ever slowing mind reacts and pushes brakes. Since tractor was not exactly straight ahead at this point and a bit sideways and at some point, due to the immeadiate application of brakes, THE KIOTI WAS UP ON TWO WHEELS SIDEWAYS and BY THE GRACE OF GOD righted itself back on four wheels. I pondered all this as I went back up hill to change my pants. When in low gear the lever is all the way forward pointing about knee heighth.
A shift interlock would be a great idea added to this fine tractor.
Push a button to shift the lever would be one idea.
I read the manual later that day to see it say " be careful not to disengage shifter while moving" Easier said than done.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Glad you are OK (other than your shorts!). A photo of your knee in relation to the shift lever would be a great addition to this story.

I wonder if you should ask the moderators to move it into the SAFETY forum? As many tractors are very similar, this may apply to other machines.

 

[VictorW]

Nice to hear that you had a happy ending and are around to tell the story. The knee does bump the shifter sometimes but mine is a little stiffer to move and I feel it before it moves.

 

[TractorLegend]

At least it can be a caution to others.
Im considering drilling a hole right behind the low gear selection in the plastic shifter bezel/box that would go sideways across the narrow portion thru both halves so I could temporarily install a hitch pin (1/4 or 5/16) when using low in precarious spots. It wouldn't be needed in higher gears since I wouldn't be needing those on steep hills. The plastic around said pin may need to be reinforced with some sort of widget. Maybe angled thinner steel coming up to that point.
Any other ideas???
I thought of a tie strap but that would get in the way of
feet/legs.


I got a tractor for my wife, it was the best trade I ever made. <font color="red"> </font>

 

[NevadaSmith]

Wierd...same thing happened to me this weekend. Luckily I was on a very small slope (about 8'). Just was getting to the top of it when I was suddenly going backwards like someone hit reverse! I am not sure I "kicked" mine out ofo gear. What I think happened was that it jumped out of gear as I might not have had it all the way engaged. I have noticed there are "two positions" when in low...really really in low and I think I'm in low /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif There is a small indent between the two.

 

[TractorLegend]

I could see the Consumer Products Safety Comission jumping all over this.

 

[TractorLegend]

Has anyone else considered the Low range to neutral placement to be a problem for potential knocking out of gear on a CK25/30 HST?

 

[cag]

Is there two lower gear or just one /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif from my experience trying the CK30HST there was only one, and is it possible that maybe the lower gear was not fully engage (not lock in low gear) I found the range selector to be very stiff to move from one range to another, and think it would need a pretty good knock of the knee or leg to disengage unless of course, not properly lock in, could this have happen...cag

 

[TractorLegend]

I did the half engagement once prior, but this timeI felt my knee hit it before rolling.
If the factory won't retrofit a safety device, I may make some hinged metal flap to flip over behind lever when its in low.
If the factory does look at this, and based on replies it's happening quite frequently, it would show a commitment to customer safety and satisfaction if they come up with a retro-fit or recall.

 

[cag]

TL how about a bon gee cord that could work, and you don't need to start drilling holes... That way you can have more seat time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif...cag