I had my 3 year old grandson out to the barn with his dad at Christmas last year. And as is expected, he was enthused with the contents, and looking intently at the orange beast before him. Once in a while he would lay his curious hand on the machine, looking and learning all he could while his dad and I discussed news of the day.
The next day, as snow fell, I started the tractor up, and began moving snow around using the FEL. As I pulled it back into the barn, I looked at the left arm for some reason and noticed the loader arm pin on the left side was almost 1/3 of the way out. Only a short time more, and I would have had a disaster. As I recalled the events from the night before, The pin was right where my Grandson was standing, and reaching above his head "learning about all things"
I looked into how he could have pulled the safety pin out of it's retaining bracket, allowing the main pin to move freely and noticed that when the weight of the bucket is all on the ground, it, actually is quite easy to push the safety retaining pin up and out of the welded hole that holds it in place so the main pin can't come free.
A simple drilled hole through the retaining pin and an "R" Clip will help, especially if his little sister is as curious.
Have a Happy Fathers Day!
The next day, as snow fell, I started the tractor up, and began moving snow around using the FEL. As I pulled it back into the barn, I looked at the left arm for some reason and noticed the loader arm pin on the left side was almost 1/3 of the way out. Only a short time more, and I would have had a disaster. As I recalled the events from the night before, The pin was right where my Grandson was standing, and reaching above his head "learning about all things"
I looked into how he could have pulled the safety pin out of it's retaining bracket, allowing the main pin to move freely and noticed that when the weight of the bucket is all on the ground, it, actually is quite easy to push the safety retaining pin up and out of the welded hole that holds it in place so the main pin can't come free.
A simple drilled hole through the retaining pin and an "R" Clip will help, especially if his little sister is as curious.
Have a Happy Fathers Day!
