It wasn't my day to die

[20 20]

I think you just invented another olympic sport, the reverse down hill tractor slam

Glad to see you didn't get busted up.

 

[RTII]

Tuff lesson. Glad you weren't hurt and hopefully the tractor not too bad.

 

[jimmyj]

Yikes. Glad it was not more serious. I hate lessons like that.

 

[TripleR]

Scary stuff; sure there are things you could have/should have done, but often these come to you AFTER it's over.

I operate on hills most of the time and am always prepare to drop the FEL and anything else; sometime it will stop you, sometimes not, but it will lower your COG on your ride down. I have been on a couple of down hill rides, but nothing like this.

 

[woodchuckie]

I find that I don't like using my brakes at all going down hill. The right and left and front and rear just don't seem to be working together to feel good on a hill. I usually go up and down in low and although it's slow if I need to use the brakes it's a lot smoother and safer at that speed. If I cut the engine off and don't use the brake it will roll.

 

[herringchoker]

Can someone explain how to post pictures with threads. Thanks

Glad you are OK after that ride.

To post pictures: in the "Reply to Thread" screen, there is an "Additional Options" section below the message window. Click the grey button there that says "Manage Attachments". It brings up a window where you can browse and select your picture files and then click the "Upload" button.

 

[teg]

yea what ^ he said...

 

[lakngulf]

So glad you are OK. Many of us are glad to have lessons learned. Mine came while attempting to unload tractor from trailer on too steep a hill. Because of the willingness of members to post other lessons, it has caused me to think quickly and wisely (hopefully) when I approach something that can become dangerous. It does happen quickly, something as simple as going the wrong way with the FEL joy stick, and boom you are going the wrong way.

 

[captbluewater]

I'm going to try posting some pics. After going back and examining the tractor I did find that the tractor was not in 4 wheel drive. I do not know for sure if I hit it getting off the tractor when it came to a stop or that is what added to the cause of the accident.The first Picture is where I went off the road backwards and inthe middle of picture you can see the top of my tractor.The 3rd picture is looking from tractor to top of hill. Thanks for help posting pictures. Ronnie

 

[teg]

Holy "crap in my pants" Batman... that could have been much worst...

I've learned, the hard way, to never take it out of 4x4... I'll buy a new front axle if and when it needs it, I don't care about that.

 

[foggy1111]

Good you weren't hurt. Looks like quite a slide!!

I just noticed your CR location....and my friend from MN has a TLB (on the west side of CR along the ocean....near Tamarindo) that looks allot like yours :confused2:.....and I got concerned that you were he for a minute. I was just there to visit him a few weeks ago. I looked at your bio....not him....small world sometimes!

Are you near the Happy Snapper? ......I just read some of your other posts......you and he should get together....he loves fishing....and has tools/equipment to barter....lol.

 

[radioman]

WOW ! look at all the loose soil/rocks. You have more guts then me to be on that hill. Looks like its gonna be a long day for you to get out crabbing with the FEL and BH. go slow and easy , you will get out.

 

[TripleR]

Man, that is some scary looking stuff. I think I would have to get some help bringing that thing out.

 

[rd_macgregor]

If this had been me, it wouldn't have been a matter just changing my shorts; I would have needed a whole new wardrobe!

I have a Kioti DK45 and it is all too easy to accidentally disengage the 4WD. The 4WD switch is placed right about where I want to put my right hand when I am twisted around to look back at the snowblower when backing up; any number of times I have accidentally hit the switch and turned off the 4WD. I've done the same thing with the PTO switch while mowing a tilted, bouncy field; there's nothing like finishing a circuit of the field only to realize you haven't been mowing at all for the last 20 minutes!
I'm glad this tractor bobsledding event turned out well for you.


BOB

 

[jlrsn]

I might have missed someone else asking this but did you have your seat belt on? You have to see the pictures to fully appreciate your ride!!! Did you ever install the winch that you were going to install?
Take care!!
Jim

 

[roamerr]

I read the story and thought why would you leave the tractor instead of going ahead and getting it out. The pics are worth a thousand words. You are very lucky.

My fear is not wearing a seatbelt. If it rolled and you had your seatbelt on you likely would have lived. Without the seatbelt there is a good chance you will be slammed hard. You were very lucky on that hill.

As for the brakes I find many tractors have marginal brakes. They work but not as strong as I like. I always stay in 4wd since it makes the brakes seem much more effective.

 

[DarrylH20]

I was going to ask the same thing about the seat belt. He must of had it on I think instinct would be to bail. Not the right thing to do but I think my mind would be saying bail. Looking at those pictures scare the crap out of me, man Im glad your OK:thumbsup:

 

[captbluewater]

I am on the central Pacific coast. My land has an ocean view looking west and mountian view looking east. I would like to talk to your friend and compare tractor equipment. Thanks

 

[captbluewater]

I was not wearing my seat belt and that was the first think that I thought about when tractor went over edge. The next thing I thought was this was it because I thought for sure it would roll over and I would be dead. Someone mentioned about bailing out and that was not an opption . Between the speed and the steep incline of tractor I was pinned to the seat. When I get my tractor back the on level ground I will install a sign about buckle up not that I need reminding now but for the future when the memory wears off.

 

[texasjohn]

Great photos

I've been to Costa Rica...my favorite country in Central America.. nice people, best ethics I've found in Central America, particularly in the country, IMHO. Have been to many locations there. Haven't been deep sea fishing there...hear it is simply fabulous! Caught a peacock bass in lake Arinal ...

My 4wd lever is well below driver's seat and requires significant effort and intentionality to reach and typically won't get out of 4wd unless you rotate the front wheels while engine is running AND seeking to change its position.

Is your tractor HST or geared? Would transmission type have made a difference, or is the surface so loose that once starting the slide the wheels lost their grip and no traction was possible, regardless of gearing?