Don't leave vehicle running

[IslandTractor]

I do believe in maintaining law and order. I just think the law ought allow us to shoot car thieves.

I understand our forefathers felt the same way about horse thieves.

Then change the law. Until then, any idiot who pulls a gun and shoots at someone driving away is committing unjustified homicide and should go to jail. I don't want self appointed executioners dispensing their personal version of justice on the fly.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I do believe in maintaining law and order. I just think the law ought allow us to shoot car thieves.

I understand our forefathers felt the same way about horse thieves.

'Cause horses were life.. without one, you could very well starve, or die... Kinda like someone stealing your snowmobile in Northern Alaska in winter.. You'd prolly be done for in a short time.

 

[hawkeye08]

If anyone is interested in the Spokane car thief that was shot, this is the article(s)... Gail Gerlach - Topical coverage at Spokesman.com

Regarding the OP, we will probably never know since the only witness is dead... good reminder to always be safe, don't take shortcuts and unnecessary risks.

 

[Jstpssng]

Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be that uncommon. Oakland trucker killed after truck rolls into him at Skowhegan Pizza Hut — Mid-Maine — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine
Last week a coworker told of watching a contractor pulling a loaded log truck up a muddy hill... he jumped out of the truck after pulling what wasn't the air brake, and the skidder towing him was on the rear tires before he got the truck stopped.

Just a few random thoughts... if the truck was a manual on the column then yes, it was an old vehicle. They haven't made those old "three on the tree" in decades. (1986?) Anyone who remembers them knows how finicky they got when they got worn... still, as previously mentioned I've never seen any gear tranny slip into gear while the engine was running. More likely he neglected to set the parking brake... or it wasn't working properly.

It's a good idea to set the PB on any vehicle if parking on a hill. (Also cut your wheels in the proper direction, as per your driver's manual.) Not only can a vehicle slip out of gear: but in an AT there are just two small pins holding your vehicle back. These are meant to be used in conjunction with; not in lieu of; the parking brake.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

never seen anything 'jump out ore gear'.

 

[cqaigy2]

:laughing::laughing::laughing: Well I meant what I said, I always use the parking brake when I get out of the truck. Now, it might have been a weeeee bit clearer if I had added that I use the parking brake when I get out of the truck, or tractor for that matter, and leave the engine running and the tranny in neutral. When I really park the truck, I set the parking brake and leave it in reverse gear per the manual so the truck cannot move. I thought you set the parking brake and then put the truck in gear to keep pressure off the transmission if on a hill. I have been doing that for so long I have forgotten WHY I have been doing it. :laughing::laughing::laughing: I bet you set the brake and then put it gear in case the tranny gets put in neutral.

Later,
Dan

Yes, that's what i learned as well. Keep the pressure off the transmission but also do it in automatic transmission as well for the same reason. The added benefit is if it's not completely in park or gear, if it pops out of gear, hopefully the parking brake will hold. It doesn't hurt to use multiple methods to insure ones safety, just in case...

 

[/pine]

My opinion on this topic is related to another thread "which side of tractor do you mount"...

I don't often get off my machines when running but dis-mounting on the left eliminates the possibility of having my shirt tail or jacket catching the shift lever and knocking into gear when not expected...

 

[dave1949]

I do believe in maintaining law and order. I just think the law ought allow us to shoot car thieves.

I understand our forefathers felt the same way about horse thieves.

I guess this comment goes mostly with your post.

What I find lacking with vigilante justice is it almost always only applied to the most clueless idiots, common thieves and assailants. The most politically and socially powerless people. There other equally deserving low-life's.

Why not apply it more universally? Nobody shot Bernie Madoff, for example. And nobody is going to shoot the health insurance company exec who ordered the policy that denied care and resulted in death, or the Wall St. insider who steals millions from working people--and probably gets a bonus for his productive work.

 

[turnkey4099]

Being stupid is one thing, making it illegal is another..

And leaving an unattended vehicle running in city is not "stupid"? doing something stupid is one of the things tha falls under "contributory negligence" for insuirance adjusters . One of the reasons for making it a illegal is to cut down on police time due to begin called to 'car theft' when most of them are just "joy rides" (as was the one under discussion - dthat kid had a habit of it.

Some things are made "illegal" for the good of the community.
Harry K

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

never seen anything 'jump out ore gear'.

If you mean "out of gear" it was common back in 30s/40s vintage both stick and 3 on tree. I had a couple cars that would do it.

Harry K