Leave HST in gear with engine running???

[SteveM]

Dont feel so bad....

I have only operated older gear tractors, so I have an unsafe habit of getting off the tractor, while it is running in neutral (on level ground) and using my hand on the clutch, putting it into Low 1 and letting her rip on her own. Without me in the drivers seat, I am free to do certain things like push like heck to get unstuck, or guide some goofy shaped tree out of a creekbed. Keep in mind that the maximum velocity of the tractor is well below .5 mph.

So that is my super-unsafe activity. I have been tempted from time to time to get the tractor going with the tiller running, and walk behind picking up rocks....but I dont like the idea of jumping back on with the PTO spinning the tiller /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[rdbrumfield]

Re: Dont feel so bad....

I'm afraid that it is just a matter of time until we read about in the newspaper. Don't mean to be a smart a--, when we get lax about what we are doing we get caught in the end.

 

[Casimir]

Re: Dont feel so bad....

I am not sure I would go as far as you have, Steve, but I do believe in Risk Management.

I used to do a lot of wildland fire fighting and supervise firefighters. Fighting wild fires is an inherently dangerous occupation (just like operating tractors). You can never completely eliminate the risk. The key to safety is to try to recognize the potential dangers in whatever operation you are undertaking, and take whatever steps you can to minimize the risk. This is what we all do when we put on a seatbelt, whether in our cars, trucks or tractors. The seatbelt reduces the risk of death or serious injury if you have an accident, but the seatbelt will not prevent an accident. Only good sense and heads up operation can prevent the accident, and sometimes other factors (e.g., drunk driver) make an accident unavoidable by the person who just happens to be in the way. The seatbelt, again, just reduces the risk of serious injury or death.

That is my basic approach to operating a tractor and implements: Try to recognize the potential dangers and minimize the risk. Not ever getting on the tractor in the first place is just not an acceptable option. I am not willing to just stay in bed because I might slip and fall if I get up. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Rick Jay]

Hi Bill,

Well, I always leave it in neutral.
I firmly set the parking brake. (I still don't see how it could "easily" be released.)
If on a hill and I leave it unattended, I use a good sized wheel chock.

I would be concerned about leaving it in gear while the engine is running. If you accidently stepped on the hydro pedal, which I would assume to be more easily done then releasing the brake, the tractor might lurch and knock you off, if unprepared. Seems that in neutral you'd be much safer.

Either way, I'd still use a wheel chock on a hill.

~Rick

 

[JATO_RaT]

Rick, I can't get my L48 to lurch, it very smoothly starts to go regardless of range. When the RPM is up near the max, it will start off faster but still is quite smooth. My International will learch, but with a gear trator, you have no choice but to take it out of gear if you want to keep the engine going. Perhaps there is a difference in the hydrostatic drive on the larger Kubotas. I take mine out of gear only when I am not on the tractor and need to start it. Mine will start in gear if I depress the clutch or out of gear and no clutch. First thing I do is walk over and start L48 without climbing on when I know I'm going to be using it. To some, not sitting in the seat may be a bad habit. Perhaps that is the case, but I do a bit of "risk management" as well and know my limitations. Always aware that for some unforseen moment, I may need to move quickly or at least quick enough to be out of the way of a tire. If anyone is unsure of what they are doing or have stricter limitations on their ability then they certainly should insure that what they do and how they do it is appropriate for them.

 

[Rick Jay]

RaT,

Perhaps "lurch" was an incorrect term. Mine starts off pretty smoothly too. What I was implying is that if one was getting on the tractor and, for whatever reason, lost their balance and accidentally activated the hydro pedal, the tractor might move (it's possible the brake, if set, might hold it). This unintended motion might cause further loss of balance and perhaps a fall for the operator.

Kind of a long shot, but still a possible scenario. I also do a fair amount of "risk accessment", so I'm not going to lecture to anybody, especially with those that have so much more experience than I.

My guess is that most of us on this board are fairly safety conscious, and just the fact that we think about stuff like this will hopefully help to keep us around a bit longer. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

~Rick

 

[JATO_RaT]

" I also do a fair amount of "risk accessment", so I'm not going to lecture to anybody, especially with those that have so much more experience than I.

My guess is that most of us on this board are fairly safety conscious, and just the fact that we think about stuff like this will hopefully help to keep us around a bit longer. "

I would agree with you Rick, well said, Rat...

 

[Mosey]

I do a little of both. If I'm just going to hop off and then right back on within a few seconds, I leave it in gear and I'm careful to make sure I don't step on the hydro pedal when I get back on. If I'm going to be off the tractor for more than just a few seconds, I put it in neutral first because there's a chance I might forget it's in gear by the time I get back on and not be careful to make sure I don't step on the hydro pedal when I get back on. In either case, I set the brake!