How safe would you like your tractor to be?

[jaxs]

More to the point,do you appreciate features that prevent pto operating while tractor is in reverse? IMO tractors,mowers,Z-Turns,backhoes,dozers and other machines are inherently dangerous for operator and anyone in the vecenity while machine is in operation. If one is struck by machine traveling in any direction,responsability is shared by operator and victim. If victim happen's to be mentally handycaped or underage,their guardian shoulder's victim's share of responsability. I am also of the opinion lawyers advise mfgrs to install all the so called protective devices knowing full well many owners will by-pass and dsiable them. The idea being that if a rock is thrown causing damage (or any number of other events) the mfgr is in better position to defend absence of deflector chains or other cost cutting decisions if sued and it can be proved the reverse,start in gear ect had been disabled by owner. Am I under appreciating what mfgrs do trying to keep me and mine safe or do I have a point when I say this is only another example of lawyers keeping mankind up trees like scared cats? I haven't ran over anyone nor plan to but I rely on good judgement and common sense,not on my tractor being idiot proof.

 

[oosik]

I compare the Operator's Manual for my tractor and the Op Manual for my new Power Wagon. I was given a HARD COPY of the manual for my tractor. This manual is 90 pages long. The FIRST ten pages cover safety.

I was given NO Operators Manual for the Power Wagon. I knew to find it on the internet. But what if I didn't have access to the internet. The Op Manual for the Power Wagon is 800 pages. The safety section is 90 pages. I would need a heavy duty pickup, like the Power Wagon, just to bring home a hard copy.

It's JMHO but I think manufacturers are giving it a good try.

If we think more safety is needed in the operation of tractors. What about a class - offered by the dealers - on safe tractor operation. Many motorcycle dealers provide this training for new owners.

An awful lot of folks purchase a tractor and have no experience. Most will learn thru on-the-job experience. A small percentage will have bad experiences.

A few may find TBN and learn from others on the "do & don't".

 

[scaredychicken]

I have / had limited experience when I bought my tractor, and I'm still a newbie in many ways ... basically my experience was ride-on mowers, but in my teens I regularly visited my uncle's farm and learned to operate the Massey-Fergusson 135

When I bought my Kubota BX23S tractor-loader-backhoe about 3 yrs ago, the dealership offered what I called "tractor school" lasting about 3 hrs, manual reviews etc. They also paid attention to my special needs at the time of selecting a new tractor for my needs and planned usage. I had a few customizations requested/suggested/added also, to make things not only easier, but safer for me... a step was added to the left side (thereby reducing my step-up to 12 inches), and a grab handle was added to the ROPS so that getting on / off was easier. A customized and angled / bent "platform pedal plate" (not sure what to call it ?) joined the forward and reverse pedals together for me ... so it is more of a heel and toe operation. I have since added two LED lights for extra visibility - forward, and back. I think that wheel weights and / or spacers will be next, for stability. I have learned a LOT from these TBN forums.

 

[sea2summit]

I would like no safety features that would prevent me from doing something like backing up with active PTO (which I can think of many applications where I would want to back up with it active).

Safety features like seatbelts, ROPs, or covers are very different and helpful IMHO.

 

[oosik]

sea2summit - perhaps you need a utility tractor. The only safety feature on my M6040 - leave the drivers seat with the PTO operating. A buzzer goes off for around eight seconds and then nothing. The PTO never shuts down. I can back up the M6040 with the PTO going and there is no warning buzzer - nothing shuts down.

 

[plowhog]

leave the drivers seat with the PTO operating. A buzzer goes off for around eight seconds and then nothing.

My MF 1758 is "all or nothing" regarding a seat switch. Leave the seat; everything shuts down.

I never considered bypassing the seat switch-- until I bought a wood chipper. Then I realized I had no choice. It's now in bypass permanently, as I try to keep the chipper installed as much as possible. A warning buzzer would be better than nothing, but I don't have that option.

 

[shooterdon]

Some of the safety features are smart and some are a PITA.

The one I hate the most is the PTO cover. On my tractor is makes it more difficult to put on the PTO coupling. I will be removing it this fall to mount the blower and put it back on when I take the blower off next spring. Seems it would be smart to design it QD instead of bolted into place but that would cost at least $5...LOL

 

[GeneV]

Luckily I don't have that on my massey. First thing I did to my craftsman gt was to remove that annoying feature.

 

[grsthegreat]

i love the fact that i have very few safety features in my cabbed dk45. i can stand outside and work the peddels forward or reverse to help attach implements without sitting in seat. it would truly suck to have to climb on and off. i would hate the tractor pto shutting down when reversing. i cant think of any reason you need to child proof the thing. thats what removing the keys does.

 

[BigBlue1]

Society would be far better off encouraging all youth to engage in a wide variety of activities as they learn to get them exposed to various types of machines, equipment and technologies. The more experience a person gains, under good guidance, the more common sense they will have. That will eliminate the need for the details (10+ pages) of safety info provided by lawyers that is typically ignored by 95% of people anyway. This starts with good parents. It also means that people who do not live in a metro area gain better experience because their lives are more varied.

To answer the original question: No, I don't appreciate those types of intrusive safeties.

 

[drssg]

I had a White lawn tractor twenty years ago that would shut off the mower deck if you went backwards, as referenced in the OP. The wiring for it was connected to the forward/back pedal, and it was fairly easy to bypass.

Some juries are ridiculously open to blaming a big corporation for a user error. There is no way around the financial reality for the company, and stupid safety features are the result.

That said, I appreciate most of the safety features on modern tractors. I cringe on hindsight about bush hogging as a teenager on my dad's Ford Jubilee. We had hilly fields with lots of hidden obstacles. No seatbelt or ROPS, and our tractor didn't even have rear fenders. It also didn't have an independent PTO, so there was a strong motivation to ram right through areas that should have been taken slowly and carefully.

 

[Jstpssng]

I found last week out that mine will shut off if I stand up while running the PTO. I'm not sure how, as I disabled the seat safety the day after I brought it home so that I could use my BH. I also use the winch a lot and never had a problem, but for some reason I stood up while tilling and shut the tractor down. After experimenting I discovered that it always does so.

I've only had the tractor for about 3 years/600 hours...

To the original question, if I EVER get the TO35 home one safety feature I plan to add is a ROPS. It may look funky at first but I"ll get used to it, plus I really like a canopy on sunny days. Of course another feature will be a seat belt.

 

[Cougsfan]

I have mixed emotions about this. It is hard to argue against safety features. Who doesn't want to be safe? But these days safety features are dictated by lawsuits and lawyers rather than common sense. Some things like PTO shaft covers are poorly designed so as to make it impossible to lubricate the u-joints. Plus most are flemsy and fall apart after a few usages. And the PTO guards on some tractors make it possible to connect a shaft only if your elbows are 6 inches away from your wrist. The tractor company's know they are crappy and know they will be the first thing removed, but it gets them out of being liable. Installing garbage on a tractor is not improving safety. If you can't design a safety feature to be user friendly, you are probably safer without it.

 

[dirttoys]

I too have mixed feelings. If you grew up around equipment that would bite you, and you are still around, you probably don't need them.

If you are an adult before you work with equipment, I think most of the safety gear is worth the hassle.

That said, mowers need to mow in reverse

Best,

ed

 

[LD48750]

I like the safety features on my 2N.

NO ONE has died from it in 75 years.

Maybe some people are just smarter then others.

 

[grsthegreat]

I run my brush hog in reverse all the time. Only way to trim around trees in the fields.

 

[ponytug]

I too have mixed feelings. If you grew up around equipment that would bite you, and you are still around, you probably don't need them.

If you are an adult before you work with equipment, I think most of the safety gear is worth the hassle.

That said, mowers need to mow in reverse

Best,

ed

Or get a tractor that has the mower in front!

After nearly getting swept off an old Ford 8n brush hogging a trail, I love the fact that my current tractor, a Power-Trac, brush hog cuts everything down before I get to it. Try it sometime.

To the original question, I wouldn't have bought my current tractor without a ROPS or seat belt, or slope safety. I have lived long enough to appreciate their importance.

In the stupid things that I have done category: After once nearly putting another tractor backwards into a stream by missing a shift, I am now not too wild about gear shifts in tight situations, but that's just me.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Unclewillie]

More to the point,do you appreciate features that prevent pto operating while tractor is in reverse? IMO tractors,mowers,Z-Turns,backhoes,dozers and other machines are inherently dangerous for operator and anyone in the vecenity while machine is in operation. If one is struck by machine traveling in any direction,responsability is shared by operator and victim. If victim happen's to be mentally handycaped or underage,their guardian shoulder's victim's share of responsability. I am also of the opinion lawyers advise mfgrs to install all the so called protective devices knowing full well many owners will by-pass and dsiable them. The idea being that if a rock is thrown causing damage (or any number of other events) the mfgr is in better position to defend absence of deflector chains or other cost cutting decisions if sued and it can be proved the reverse,start in gear ect had been disabled by owner. Am I under appreciating what mfgrs do trying to keep me and mine safe or do I have a point when I say this is only another example of lawyers keeping mankind up trees like scared cats? I haven't ran over anyone nor plan to but I rely on good judgement and common sense,not on my tractor being idiot proof.

I like the pro running at all times, tractors can be dangerous without doubt but I one has a need for one then it's up to the owner to warn children not to run up to dad, mom, grandpaw, using a tractor if they do spank that a##. And if people are on your property that will be too close to the work area ,don't work or ask em to leave. Common sense is the best tool.

 

[dirttoys]

Or get a tractor that has the mower in front!

After nearly getting swept off an old Ford 8n brush hogging a trail, I love the fact that my current tractor, a Power-Trac, brush hog cuts everything down before I get to it. Try it sometime.

To the original question, I wouldn't have bought my current tractor without a ROPS or seat belt, or slope safety. I have lived long enough to appreciate their importance.

In the stupid things that I have done category: After once nearly putting another tractor backwards into a stream by missing a shift, I am now not too wild about gear shifts in tight situations, but that's just me.

All the best,

Peter

There are certainly times I wish I had a front mount, but, not bad enough to buy one for the skid yet..........

Best,

ed

 

[CalG]

I've got a tractor made in 1950. "First post war tractor with three point hitch and power take off" (if you were an Englishman of the time)

It has all the safety features I desire. Exposed flat belt pulley and all.

A better defined step plate for lifting myself up to the operators station would be welcome. Tip toeing up and over the tool bar and lift arms is always a new adventure!