I almost punched a hole in the barn.

[Racer71]

I was putting the tractor away after 4 or 5 hours of work today. When we built the barn we had to dig out a level spot. This left a rather steep slope on two sides. One of which has a barn door facing it.

Anyway, I was driving the tractor inside the barn to park it. Completly under control with the HST and the engine rpm slow. I was approaching the barn at a slow pace controlling the speed with the HST when SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED.

The rpm didn't change. No clank or pop was heard. The tractor just went forward quickly on its own.

STAB THE BRAKES!!!

After a jolting stop (Thank you brakes) I looked behind for a clue as to what happened. There was nothing there. The HST pedal didn't work.

The L-M-H lever shifted to netural and the tractor free coasted down hill.

Fortunately the barn door was open because the bucket was inside by at least 2 feet. I have been known to approach the barn with the door closed and stop a few feet short to open it. Not again.

p.s. I won't reply for a while since I will be at the races for a week.

 

[Tig]

I had the exact same experience on a very steep ramp last spring. No one was hurt but I was unable to stop the tractor in time to prevent damage.

 

[rtdiggr]

Maybe you should get your wife to put the tractor in the barn next time [i couldn't resist] [I made the big mistake]

Shane

 

[Racer71]

Maybe you should get your wife to put the tractor in the barn next time [i couldn't resist] [I made the big mistake]

Shane

That was cold.

 

[Jimmyp5]

I had a friend who decided to show off his new JD (1947 model). I was doing the education thing about old tractors, PTO, insuring everything is in netural before you even attemt to start it, and always be in the seat!

Well go figure, three days later, inside the barn, in low gear, with a pile of wood in front of the tractor; you got it he reach over the wood started the tractor and got a new door in the back of the barn . I did not even do a I told you so!

It get even more funny, his wife told him he is no longer allowed to touch the tractor unless I am there, lol. She told me it take a few times for the city kid (her husband) to get it! She wants me to talk him into just buying a new BX24 Kubota...she thinks he will be safer on that one...yea right, it has a back hoe!

 

[rtdiggr]

That was cold.

Your right it was cold but still funny. i owe you one.
Shane

 

[Renovator]

when I was about 10 years old I was putting away an Allis WC when a pin dropped out of the throw out bearing while I was putting it in shed. Took off headlightand banged up the door. Was going slow so stopped it by pulling the shut off. Renovator

 

[rtdiggr]

I have hit the poles in my barn a few times, i am just glad the metal wasn't up yet, now i am alittle more careful.

Shane

 

[CurlyDave]

I have also had this experience.

Going down my driveway ~15% grade, the lever popped into neutral and I started to pick up speed at an alarming rate.

The engine never sped up, but the other noises the tractor made increased in frequency and loudness.

Fortunately, the brakes got my speed under control, but there were a few dicey moments.

Since that incident I have been a lot more careful to be certain the shift is centered on the gear I want, and I check it every once in a while.

 

[ToadHill]

A few years ago I was taking the grandkids for a ride and came to a hill on the far side of the property. I put the 8N in first gear and started down the hill, as I got to a level spot about 1/3 of the way down the trans pops into neutral and we continue on down the hill, I stab the brakes and only the right one catches and the wagon starts to jacknife.

I jump off the brakes and try to jam the trans back into gear, no good. Well we ride it out down the hill to the bottom. At least it was a stright shot and nothing was in the way. To this day the kids still refer to that part of the property as "Scary Hill".