How dangerous is YOUR PTO?

[RoyJackson]

I have an irrigation pump that we use to water the blueberries. Therefore my pto will stay on with me out of the seat (rear only). I am not going to sit on a stationary tractor for 2-3 hours just to keep the pto running while watering.

The chipper is the only implement that I have that uses the tractor for power.
There are many more...generators, pumps, to name a couple.

 

[Fawken]

I have an irrigation pump that we use to water the blueberries. Therefore my pto will stay on with me out of the seat (rear only). I am not going to sit on a stationary tractor for 2-3 hours just to keep the pto running while watering.

I guessing you missed out on the photo before it was deleted? Not sure it wasn't staged, but it depicted a man who was operating an irrigation pump. Looked as if his sleeve got snagged at one of the u-joints.

 

[4570Man]

I have a plastic sleeve on everything, but only one fits properly and has the chain on it. Most are missing part of the sleeve and the stupid chain. Something like a water pump or generator needs a guard to keep a kid from getting hurt, but a don't see how a guard would make a bush hog or tiller safer.

 

[4570Man]

As terrible as that is, he's fortunate it wasn't worse. Obviously didn't wrap him up... My wife's grandpa is missing his right arm at the shoulder from a hay baler accident. Back in the day, before the word safety was invented, he was shoulder deep removing a clog in the baler. Not sure of the details, but someone engaged the tractor before he was done. Hanging on with his left arm is the only thing that kept him from going all the way in.

He might have been better off getting completely wrapped up. I don't think I would want to live the rest of my live with no arms.

 

[ovrszd]

So don't properly maintained PTO shields mean you can't see the PTO shaft spinning and mistakenly think the blade has stopped turning?

Seems like proper shields that don't spin present a greater danger in this case.

You are correct. But in my case, I look at the slip clutch or shear pin area of the power shaft so I can detect turning.

 

[ovrszd]

He might have been better off getting completely wrapped up. I don't think I would want to live the rest of my live with no arms.

Not sure you are in a position to make that determination. I'm guessing if you had your arms torn off you would be screaming to me to save you. I understand there's much worse things than death. But each human has a different ability to accept dramatic events too.

So for me, I'll let each individual decide what works best for them and not condemn anybody's choice.

 

[4570Man]

Not sure you are in a position to make that determination. I'm guessing if you had your arms torn off you would be screaming to me to save you. I understand there's much worse things than death. But each human has a different ability to accept dramatic events too. So for me, I'll let each individual decide what works best for them and not condemn anybody's choice.

It wasn't anybody's choice. He obviously didn't choose to have his arms ripped off and live. Given the choice to get your arms ripped off or die. Which would you choose? I don't think he could make the choice anyway. The doctors and his parents can't just let him die.

 

[ovrszd]

It wasn't anybody's choice. He obviously didn't choose to have his arms ripped off and live. Given the choice to get your arms ripped off or die. Which would you choose? I don't think he could make the choice anyway. The doctors and his parents can't just let him die.

That's my point. It's a personal decision. I know several men with one arm. None of them would rather be dead. That's my point.

Given the choice, I choose life.

Your results may vary.

Just don't think you or I are in a position to condemn someone's decision or claim to know whether they would have rather died or not. :confused3:

 

[4570Man]

One arm would be better than death. This poor kid lost both arms at the shoulder. Anybody else's choice is none of my business.

 

[GreenYellow]

Update -- since this discussion, my guards (or lack of) have been on my mind. Today I fixed the guard on my finish mower shaft. I mowed for 5 hours and have decided I DO NOT like the guard not spinning. IMO it masks the danger a little too much. Granted, I'm used to seeing it spin, but the lack of the visual flash/spin tends keep my attention away from it, and therefore, the danger. I have a 5' deck spinning 3 blades and a shaft, and NOTHING is moving visually. A deaf person ( or wearing headphones) wouldn't know it was running. Every man is different, but I like the guard spinning. It keeps my attention. The stickers on the black plastic make a good flash when it spins. After years of running it with it spinning, it keeps my attention. After 5 hours of it being stationary, it doesn't. I don't like it... It felt more dangerous.