I know the feeling and it stinks. THe other day our compactor died and we bought a 518 Cat skidder to put our wheels on to compact with. That evening the starter went out. THe motor was hot so I wanted to work on it when it was cooler. Dad ran and got the starter and the next morning I wanted to put it on since it was saturday and there alot tat has to come off to remove the starter. I got there a 6 AM and took the side panel off and took off a couple oil supply and return lines and and the primer pump. Ive done this on our other 518 turn around machine. The only problem with the 518 skidder is that the blade is where the bumper is on the turn around. It makes agood place to put a timber to make access easier.
Well I had told my wife I was going to work and would be back in a few hours. I had also told dad about it and he had forgotten I was goin g. Well i got the old starter out and this thing is heavy, I had to balance the old ond to pull it out . To put the new on in is a pain I was balancing it and I couldnt hold the weight up with my arms extended.
I dropped it down and it wedged and I had to work at it a bit to get it out. I knew between the compactor wheel and the body of the machine is a tight fit for me. I was wanting to get it together because we were behind. I got the bright Idea of putting a 2by6 that fit on in the space over the axle and on top of the blade. It made a great last platform to stand on. I got the starter on and was about to put the last bolt in and snap that board I was using broke and a straddled the axle. My feet were on the ground and i could pull up on the brush sweeps but I was hung.
I panicked abit and the space got tighter lol. I calmed down and knew my wife would look for me in a few hours or someone would come in the landfill with the gate open. I had lost my cell phone earlier and I got a pay as you go phone for the mean time. I tried calling out but I was in the pit so I had no service. I wasnt in a real comfortable spot. It was about 95 out atthe tim and the hood was gettin hot. I got my arm around me and got hold of a trash spike and one on the sweep. But something was catching me, I pulled up a few inches and I was caught. I realized that the flanges of the wheels were catching my belt. I took it offand I was still a little stuck so I undid my pants and slid out. Talking about shook up It took me a bit to calm down. I didnt tell pops about it as I would have upset him. I got the last bolt on and tried it out and then came home early.
Hope he turns out okay.
