Highbeam
Super Member
Good way to look at it Mike. Like the boy scouts... be prepared.
Informal Seatbelt Survey
- Thread starter Maineiac
- Start date
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IslandTractor
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- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Or, "I just didn't think that that meteor would fall onto my head" )</font>
Uh, No. There may have been one farmer in the history of the USA who was killed by a meteor. Probably thousands have died due to tractor roll overs. Death by meteor could be categorized as an extremely rare random and unpredictable event. It is thus very hard to prevent. Death by roll over is not rare, not random and entirely predictable to the extent that it is more likely to happen to someone operating a tractor without ROPS or seatbelt. Such deaths can be minimized by conscientious use of safety equipment and safe operating procedures. Neither intervention alone is sufficient. It really is a smart thing to train oneself to use safety equipment (and safe operating procedures). Frankly, it is just as dumb to ignore the seatbelt and ROPS as it is to knowingly drive the tractor blithely along hills, ditches, etc. No one on this forum seems to advocate idiocy with regard to tractor operation so why do people defend failure to use safety equipment? There may be some legitimate compromise situations (low hanging branches) that mitigate against use of ROPS/seatbelt for a particular job but it is hard to justify failure to use these devices under normal working conditions.
Sorry to pontificate or perhaps to take the "meteor" analogy too literally, I've just seen the consequences of enough auto accidents to cringe at the ignorance of those poor souls who believe they are not every bit as vulnerable as the rest of us when the combination of odds, kinetics and iron meet flesh and bone. I recognize Highbeam is actually advocating proper use but this notion that risks are not manageable (eg meteor strike) is sadly accepted by some as justification for failure to use the safety equipment as the appropriate response to mitigate daily risk of injury. I am surprised at the number of folks (and Kioti owners to boot!!!) who accept such shoddy logic. I mean maybe the green, blue and other orange guys don't know better but this is the Kioti forum. I thought we were logical and carefully evaluated risk and benefit before making decisions. Oh well, I better stop before I start a flame war. Peace and safe operations to all.
Uh, No. There may have been one farmer in the history of the USA who was killed by a meteor. Probably thousands have died due to tractor roll overs. Death by meteor could be categorized as an extremely rare random and unpredictable event. It is thus very hard to prevent. Death by roll over is not rare, not random and entirely predictable to the extent that it is more likely to happen to someone operating a tractor without ROPS or seatbelt. Such deaths can be minimized by conscientious use of safety equipment and safe operating procedures. Neither intervention alone is sufficient. It really is a smart thing to train oneself to use safety equipment (and safe operating procedures). Frankly, it is just as dumb to ignore the seatbelt and ROPS as it is to knowingly drive the tractor blithely along hills, ditches, etc. No one on this forum seems to advocate idiocy with regard to tractor operation so why do people defend failure to use safety equipment? There may be some legitimate compromise situations (low hanging branches) that mitigate against use of ROPS/seatbelt for a particular job but it is hard to justify failure to use these devices under normal working conditions.
Sorry to pontificate or perhaps to take the "meteor" analogy too literally, I've just seen the consequences of enough auto accidents to cringe at the ignorance of those poor souls who believe they are not every bit as vulnerable as the rest of us when the combination of odds, kinetics and iron meet flesh and bone. I recognize Highbeam is actually advocating proper use but this notion that risks are not manageable (eg meteor strike) is sadly accepted by some as justification for failure to use the safety equipment as the appropriate response to mitigate daily risk of injury. I am surprised at the number of folks (and Kioti owners to boot!!!) who accept such shoddy logic. I mean maybe the green, blue and other orange guys don't know better but this is the Kioti forum. I thought we were logical and carefully evaluated risk and benefit before making decisions. Oh well, I better stop before I start a flame war. Peace and safe operations to all.
RedRocker
Veteran Member
[quote I am surprised at the number of folks (and Kioti owners to boot!!!) who accept such shoddy logic. I mean maybe the green, blue and other orange guys don't know better but this is the Kioti forum. I thought we were logical and carefully evaluated risk and benefit before making decisions. Oh well, I better stop before I start a flame war. Peace and safe operations to all. )</font>
I don't think that's what we're famous for. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
<font color="red">
In case Kioti happens to read this, it would be immensely helpful to put the seat belts in a sheath that would keep them accessible and easy to use. They tend to fall under the seat and are difficult to access and less likely to be used. </font> /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I don't think that's what we're famous for. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
<font color="red">
In case Kioti happens to read this, it would be immensely helpful to put the seat belts in a sheath that would keep them accessible and easy to use. They tend to fall under the seat and are difficult to access and less likely to be used. </font> /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue"> In case Kioti happens to read this, it would be immensely helpful to put the seat belts in a sheath that would keep them accessible and easy to use. </font>
The belts on my NH TC25D were the same way. I bought new belts at the Surplus Center which included the sheath. Click Here for the Surplus Center item. Not bad for $9.99. They work as advertised and, as you mention, make it much easier and convenient to use the seat belt.
BTW, another TBNer (MJones), a long time ago , mentioned this item from the Surplus Center. I've had them on my tractor so long, I was thinking they came standard until I read your post which caused me to remember they weren't standard. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Here's what I wrote 3 years ago when I installed them. BTW, shipping was $9.63 for a $9.99 item, but, still a bargain for the convenience they provide.
I just installed the retractable belts on my NH TC25D. I thought I could just install the male (the side that retracts) side. However, the new male part of the buckle would not fit the original New Holland female, so I had to install the entire new belt. I had to trim 1 3/4" from the plastic sheath on the male portion since it stood too high above the seat. On the female side, I simply swapped the new plastic sheath for the original one. Also, don't try and adjust the male side by using the plastic sheath! I tried and caused the sheath to pull through the two pop rivets that attach it to the retractor mechanism. I had to drill slightly larger holes in the retractor mount and use a slightly larger pop rivets.
The belts on my NH TC25D were the same way. I bought new belts at the Surplus Center which included the sheath. Click Here for the Surplus Center item. Not bad for $9.99. They work as advertised and, as you mention, make it much easier and convenient to use the seat belt.
BTW, another TBNer (MJones), a long time ago , mentioned this item from the Surplus Center. I've had them on my tractor so long, I was thinking they came standard until I read your post which caused me to remember they weren't standard. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Here's what I wrote 3 years ago when I installed them. BTW, shipping was $9.63 for a $9.99 item, but, still a bargain for the convenience they provide.
I just installed the retractable belts on my NH TC25D. I thought I could just install the male (the side that retracts) side. However, the new male part of the buckle would not fit the original New Holland female, so I had to install the entire new belt. I had to trim 1 3/4" from the plastic sheath on the male portion since it stood too high above the seat. On the female side, I simply swapped the new plastic sheath for the original one. Also, don't try and adjust the male side by using the plastic sheath! I tried and caused the sheath to pull through the two pop rivets that attach it to the retractor mechanism. I had to drill slightly larger holes in the retractor mount and use a slightly larger pop rivets.
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
In case Kioti happens to read this, it would be immensely helpful to put the seat belts in a sheath that would keep them accessible and easy to use. They tend to fall under the seat and are difficult to access and less likely to be used. </font> /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )</font>
I fully agree. When I take my belt off, it sometimes slips between the frame and rear wheel which causes a potential safety hazard and is certainly inconvenient. A little thoughtful design would go a long way here.
In case Kioti happens to read this, it would be immensely helpful to put the seat belts in a sheath that would keep them accessible and easy to use. They tend to fall under the seat and are difficult to access and less likely to be used. </font> /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )</font>
I fully agree. When I take my belt off, it sometimes slips between the frame and rear wheel which causes a potential safety hazard and is certainly inconvenient. A little thoughtful design would go a long way here.
mrutkaus
Platinum Member
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- 15 mi. N. of Winchester VA
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I use mine 99% of the time, unless I am just moving a few feet, etc.
As KiotiJohn and my 80 year old neighbor said, "things can happen awfully fast on a tractor." Several times I have started to tip in places I almost have to get out and look around to figure out why.
Mike
As KiotiJohn and my 80 year old neighbor said, "things can happen awfully fast on a tractor." Several times I have started to tip in places I almost have to get out and look around to figure out why.
Mike
jebb
New member
Use the seat belt everytime I get on. I am so use to wearing it in the car I feel like something is missing when I get on the tractor and don't put it on.
RedDog
Platinum Member
Do all of you that use your belts also run with your headlights on for saftey? Use your turn signal when changing directions? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I wonder how any of you drove older tractors?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
RedDog
I wonder how any of you drove older tractors?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
RedDog
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do all of you that use your belts also run with your headlights on for saftey? Use your turn signal when changing directions? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I wonder how any of you drove older tractors?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif RedDog )</font>
RedDog,
What is your point? Do you not bother with turn signals? Why? If your car has automatic daytime running lights do you disable the system? Do you disable your airbag? Do you remove the impact absorbing structural elements of your steering wheel and doors just because it was not available on the '57 Chevy or Model T?
Safety engineering moves forward. Newer cars and tractors and planes and ships have safety features that were unheard of in the recent past. We don't need to be obsessive about it but it seems pretty silly to purposefully avoid using extra safety engineering when available.
The argument that we may have survived driving tractors without safety devices and therefore don't need to use such devices now that they are available seems specious to me. Most people survived without electrocuting themselves even though there were electrical outlets in the bathroom that were not GFCI protected. Would you not install GFCI outlets if you were remodeling?
I don't have trouble understanding the practical argument that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I do have difficulty with the attempt to rationalize not using seatbelts on that basis though. We may forget to use them but let's not imply they don't make a difference.
I wonder how any of you drove older tractors?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif RedDog )</font>
RedDog,
What is your point? Do you not bother with turn signals? Why? If your car has automatic daytime running lights do you disable the system? Do you disable your airbag? Do you remove the impact absorbing structural elements of your steering wheel and doors just because it was not available on the '57 Chevy or Model T?
Safety engineering moves forward. Newer cars and tractors and planes and ships have safety features that were unheard of in the recent past. We don't need to be obsessive about it but it seems pretty silly to purposefully avoid using extra safety engineering when available.
The argument that we may have survived driving tractors without safety devices and therefore don't need to use such devices now that they are available seems specious to me. Most people survived without electrocuting themselves even though there were electrical outlets in the bathroom that were not GFCI protected. Would you not install GFCI outlets if you were remodeling?
I don't have trouble understanding the practical argument that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I do have difficulty with the attempt to rationalize not using seatbelts on that basis though. We may forget to use them but let's not imply they don't make a difference.
