Lets be carefull out there

[crusty 1]

As I,m healing from a fall from my tractor,I thought it may be a good time to bring up safety. With so many younger folks now using tractors,I want to make a point to be mindfull of what you,re doing at all times around this machinery it can bite you in an instant! I had been loading gravel and it began to drizzle so I got parked for the day and went to get off the tractor when my foot slipped off the step.I didn,t have a good enough grip on the handle and my face hit the deck.I nearly put my teeth thru my chin and now have gravel rash in both lips,noseand chin!I look like I had been beaten in a bar room brawl.I,m old enough too know better but it still happened to me,and just thought it may save someone else some pain or worse! Ya really need to focus at all times.We,re at the time of year when the really bad traggedies happen,pto grabbing a shirt sleeve etc.One young nieghbor two years ago lost both legs in a combine by not being carefull,it happens so fast!So do as I say and not as I do.Think one careless momment could be a life changing event.I,ll be sure to have a good firm grip on that handle from now on:ashamedave

 

[Runner]

Similar situation, while climbing off the machine, I caught the leg of my shorts on the range selector lever, tore my shorts and landed on my face. Probably kind of funny, but not at the time...

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Crusty....About your face...THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICTURES.!!!!

Ouch, I can see how that could happen. The previous owner of my tractor laid down some anti-slip material over the steps of the tractor. Now I know why.

Hey, you lived to tell us about it.:thumbsup:

Get well soon.

 

[Cat_Driver]

You guys have taught me to slow WAY DOWN and it has saved me a few times already.

When getting on and off equipment now I turn the equipment off, I never used to do that. When entering or exiting equipment I take a VERY TIGHT grip on something solid before I move my feet. I slipped twice and the grip on rails or something solid saved me.

All in all I'm moving very very slow climbing on and off and I know for a fact I've saved a broken leg, arm, ankle already.

A few second delay will save you moths of rehab is the way I look at it.

All the horror stories I read here keep me awake to the dangers we all take for granted.

 

[jayste]

Crusty, thanks for the reminder and get well soon!:thumbsup: This post makes me re-think the way I tend to do things. When I'm on the tractor and have to get off and open a gate, I will get off while the tractor is barely rolling to "save time" . I think I'll start doing things a little different.

 

[Mousefield]

Sounds like the teeth made it without damage. :thumbsup: Yes it's easy to do, I have had a couple of close calls getting off and on the tractor. Try to take my time and as a previous poster mentioned, hang on to something solid. Hope the face looks as good as new in a few days.

 

[brin]

I'll add this - 2 yrs. ago I was bush hogging and finished for the day and parked the tractor at the farm...I had not bush hogged where I parked the tractor..just into the woods to keep it hidden from would be theives ..so the next morning, not quite awake, I got out of my truck and started waking toward the tractor and I was almost there when I was face down on the ground...A vne have hung up my left foot and I went down so fast from not being alert and paying attention..It was a hard blow..and I saw floaters in my eyes after that and had to go to the eye doc...but fortunately no damage done...but had I parked just a couple of feet closer to those vines that tripped me , my head would have struck the deck of the bush hog...That would have done some damage..so be alert the moment you begin not just when you are on the machine.

 

[crusty 1]

Fella,s I know we all get too comfy in the everyday chores and the mind tends to wander and thats why I posted my blunder.If it saves one person an injury I,v done what I intended to do.We all forget.On the bright side I,v lost a couple pounds!Not so easy to eat:licking:So i,v come up with this plan,instead of the think sign on the cowl I,ll put[lets eat].:laughing:I hope that the younger folks take heed,we don,t like to hear about the[bad one].But it continues to happen year after year and in the end how much time is really saved.I,ll bet not as much as those ER visits.You guy,s take care Dave

 

[sweettractors]

20 years ago, I would hit the lower step on the tractor in a run. After a few shins being banged up and now at 63, I walk up to the tractor and look at the steps and then slowly climb in the drivers seat. Ken Sweet

 

[crusty 1]

Ihear ya ken,it now takes me all day to do what I used to do in an hour.I walk everywhere I used to run,you got just about a years more use on you.But why is everyone in such a hurry anyway?Dave