Loader Don't let this happen to you

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

With my toothbar on my BX23 FEL, I have been pushing aside piles of tree branches as I clear paths through the 3 acre lot
so when I cut up the dozens of down trees, I have paths to drive the logs to one area for spliting. I've been doing this for a couple
days and was making good progress, and the paths were making getting around more productive. The land is mostly years of dark
soil and leaves so I scrap a few inches as I clear the path. I make sure most of the wood and branches are cut up.

Was only on the tractor about 10 minutes and when pushing this new pile of piled up branches, when a long branch about a 2-3 inches thick
recoiled backwards and hit me square in my upper head. It happened so fast I did not see it coming. I am lucky it hit the top of my head and
not square in the face. I felt the hard hit and thought maybe I can continue once the pain cleared from the thump, then I felt the blood pouring down
on my face and it was everywhere. It was like it was raining blood. Drove to the hospital and received 5 staples.

Since this happened today I have not returned to the site, but I think that long branch that flung back at me was still attached to one of the trees I dropped
and was laying on the ground. My point is if any of you guys are pushing branches into a pile, make sure none of the branches are still attached to a tree
these branches are coming from. We hear of branches falling from trees but here is an example of the pressure of the tractor pulling back the branch like a bow
and letting it release once it slipped about the bucket.

 

[two_bit_score]

Sounds like all-in-all you’re lucky to be alive.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Yea buddy your lucky it just rung your bell and you had a small leak to fix. Trees kill people everyday and some are experienced loggers. In 1981 me and a good friend were cutting fire wood like we did for a few years and he started cutting a tree that had another laying in its top. Well it barber chaired and I happened to be standing right in its path. I almost bleed to death that day. Lost my spleen and spent almost a week in the hospital. Scares me to death any time I am around someone cutting down a tree after that. I'll cut them up all day long if their on the ground but if their still on the stump I won't touch them. Glad to hear your ok.

 

[MossRoad]

another thing to watch for is springy branches coming into your operators area. i had one push my fel joystick back, that caused the loader to rise, that caused the branch to push the joystick faster, that caused the loader to rise faster..... you get the idea. happened in the blink of an eye. glad you are recovering.

 

[mopardude318]

Yea buddy your lucky it just rung your bell and you had a small leak to fix. Trees kill people everyday and some are experienced loggers. In 1981 me and a good friend were cutting fire wood like we did for a few years and he started cutting a tree that had another laying in its top. Well it barber chaired and I happened to be standing right in its path. I almost bleed to death that day. Lost my spleen and spent almost a week in the hospital. Scares me to death any time I am around someone cutting down a tree after that. I'll cut them up all day long if their on the ground but if their still on the stump I won't touch them. Glad to hear your ok.

A little off topic, but losing your spleen, nearly what, 36 years ago? how has that affected your life medically?

I lost my spleen, almost 2 months ago, (September 14th, 2017), in a motorcycle accident. I have busted ribs and still recovering, but I definitely don't feel like I used to before the accident. Which I guess is expected considering my injuries.

To the OP, I'm glad you're still around!

 

[ning]

A little off topic, but losing your spleen, nearly what, 36 years ago? how has that affected your life medically?

I lost my spleen, almost 2 months ago, (September 14th, 2017), in a motorcycle accident. I have busted ribs and still recovering, but I definitely don't feel like I used to before the accident. Which I guess is expected considering my injuries.

To the OP, I'm glad you're still around!

My wife lost her spleen now 2 years ago, also in a motorcycle accident. She's been completely fine since recovering from almost dying that night (all in all she was off of work for 3 months); they say you may be more susceptible to infection but she hasn't had any illnesses since, not even a cold.

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

Thanks guys for the feel better stuff. In my case all the trees were down on the ground - been cut down for several weeks. I was pushing a large pile of dead branches to cut a path and everything was moving fine. One of the branches was still attached to a tree laying on the ground that sprung back from the push.
Normally you hear or think of trees or branches falling, and this is an example of from working on downed trees. I think if I had a roof on the BX23 the supports would have taken the wack. Yes I am lucky it did not hit me sqaure in the face. Telling the story so others remember to be careful, even when pushing items.

 

[dougtrr2]

Thanks for the reminder. I am still clearing storm damage from June. I know it can be treacherous, never hurts to get a reminder to look closer at what is going on.

Doug in SW IA

 

[coldsteelva]

I'm glad you're okay, but perhaps you should wear a hard hat or logger helmet when performing the work you do in the manner you do. I've gotten whacked in the arms/hands from springy branches too; nothing broken, but **** it hurts.

 

[frugalangler]

Overhanging limbs caught by the ROPS and whipping back are one to look out for also, especially when backing as one typically is looking low to avoid backing into a tree or stump, seldom looking high it seems - just a reminder from experience!