Man killed trying to separate PTO shaft with tractor

[rmk700]

Good point. In "reporter speak" all construction equipment is called a bulldozer.

And rollers are still called “steam rollers.”

 

[Budweiser John]

OK. Seventy six posts rehashing the reporting and opinions of someone doing something stupid with a tractor.
First off my condolences to the survivors, an unexpected fatal accident has lifetime consequences.
As was stated in an earlier post, the PTO shaft was in some way stuck, bent, or otherwise inoperable. WHY? Was it lack of lubrication, misuse of the implement, or another unknown conditions? A busted power shaft has few options beyond replacement. Let’s assume the chap in question was able to successfully separate the damaged components, then what?
Knowing nothing about the equipment in question or the operator skills involved i’m Inclined to believe this unfortunate accident could be traced to it’s real root cause of poor equipment management and maintance

B. John.

 

[two_bit_score]

It makes me wonder that if similar numbers of women were dying on those, terrible, dangerous tractors, if there would not be an outcry and demand to do something.

Especially when 'women farmers' get all kinds of favorable loan terms nowadays.

Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers



TBS

 

[rmk700]

OK. Seventy six posts rehashing the reporting and opinions of someone doing something stupid with a tractor.
First off my condolences to the survivors, an unexpected fatal accident has lifetime consequences.
As was stated in an earlier post, the PTO shaft was in some way stuck, bent, or otherwise inoperable. WHY? Was it lack of lubrication, misuse of the implement, or another unknown conditions? A busted power shaft has few options beyond replacement. Let’s assume the chap in question was able to successfully separate the damaged components, then what?
Knowing nothing about the equipment in question or the operator skills involved i’m Inclined to believe this unfortunate accident could be traced to it’s real root cause of poor equipment management and maintance

B. John.

I go farther..... Ultimately the real root cause of fatally is poor judgment. I know it’s tough to say, and we are human but we must understand, dealing with dangerously old unsafe equipment. Actually dealing with all equipment.

Now days we blame manufacturers rather than our own negligence. Thus the extreme safety stuff on all the equipment now. Yeah probably saves lives, but sadly it also creates complacency and dummies us up when it comes to survival skills.

 

[Jaylegger]

There's been an education push for a long time for older tractors to be outfitted with rops but for smaller farms whether due to financial restraints or old school stubbornness thinking it rarely gets done.

Here's one such effort:

Tractor Rollbar | Rollover Protection | National ROPS Rebate Program

 

[Industrial Toys]

I said it earlier but will say it again, because I think it's important.

Most accidents seem to happen while the individual is alone. I realize that sometimes this is a fact of life. But having to get on and off a tractor to hook something up, or do some other task can leave an older guy quite exhausted. Maybe loosing good sense or trying to cut corners. Also, it's invaluable to have another set of eyes, brain and second opinion on the task at hand. I really can't think of many deaths or terrible injuries that DIDN'T happen while the guy was alone.

I wish people would forget this idea that safety equipment and gear is the answer. Like with airbags, it actually makes the drivers care less and worse drivers in the end.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Was just recently told of a incident of a grain hoper and tractor getting stuck in the field. So they unhooked the tractor and and got it out. Then hooked onto the grain hoper with one of those big blue ropes. 4 inch diameter or so. Jerked on it and the hitch broke off the hopper. Resulted in a guy on the ground being killed. The guys family sued and won against the hopper manufacturer for a FAULTY hitch........

Sad situation but calling such things accidents instead of poor decision making seems common.

 

[Jaylegger]

Was just recently told of a incident of a grain hoper and tractor getting stuck in the field. So they unhooked the tractor and and got it out. Then hooked onto the grain hoper with one of those big blue ropes. 4 inch diameter or so. Jerked on it and the hitch broke off the hopper. Resulted in a guy on the ground being killed. The guys family sued and won against the hopper manufacturer for a FAULTY hitch........

Sad situation but calling such things accidents instead of poor decision making seems common.

Pulling anything with a line that has stretch scares the **** out of me. If I have to do it because length precludes chains I always put on my chainsaw helmet/visor and stay low.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Good point. In "reporter speak" all construction equipment is called a bulldozer.

I remember years ago someone drove a front end loader from a construction site onto some nearby train tracks. The news reported it as a dozer.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You mean the choo choo train came along? Probably Thomas the TANK ENGINE, so might as well report it a that.

 

[goeduck]

Especially when 'women farmers' get all kinds of favorable loan terms nowadays.

Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers



TBS

Good grief, I did not know that was going on. No surprise I guess. What is wrong with equal treatment of all?

 

[tradosaurus]

Good grief, I did not know that was going on. No surprise I guess. What is wrong with equal treatment of all?

Just identify as a woman and get that easy loan. :laughing:

 

[lilranch2001]

Life is getting so easy these days, if you do not like being a man, just say you are a woman! Wallla! All problems fixed!!

 

[k0ua]

When are we as a society going to stop practicing discrimination against people? When is enough "affirmative action" or other buzzwords (historically underserved) enough? When will we all be equal. 50 more years? 100? a thousand? When will enough be enough?

 

[lilranch2001]

When are we as a society going to stop practicing discrimination against people? When is enough "affirmative action" or other buzzwords (historically underserved) enough? When will we all be equal. 50 more years? 100? a thousand? When will enough be enough?

Jim, Jim, Jim.....
Such idealism, do you not know we live in an imperfect world?

 

[buickanddeere]

More to the story than what the media stated .

 

[Redlands Okie]

Was just recently told of a incident of a grain hoper and tractor getting stuck in the field. So they unhooked the tractor and and got it out. Then hooked onto the grain hoper with one of those big blue ropes. 4 inch diameter or so. Jerked on it and the hitch broke off the hopper. Resulted in a guy on the ground being killed. The guys family sued and won against the hopper manufacturer for a FAULTY hitch........

Sad situation but calling such things accidents instead of poor decision making seems common.

Pulling anything with a line that has stretch scares the **** out of me. If I have to do it because length precludes chains I always put on my chainsaw helmet/visor and stay low.

Good idea probably. Keep in mind with such large lines on equipment such as above you best be behind some iron.

Personally was using a one inch blue rope with a hook on the end. The hook broke and when the rope rebounded the Clevis and remains of the hook put a dent over a 1/2 deep in the 1/4 inch thick metal heavy duty bumper. Several lessons learned on that deal and no one hurt thankfully.

 

[RoyJackson]

It helps to know some details, so some one who "didn't" grow up on a farm, knows the "safe" way to do it.

I hope some folks here don't thing EVERY way to pull a pto shaft apart with a tractor is wrong!

yeaa yeaa, I know we have some safety sally's here that think, IF you aren't doing it (what ever you are doing) THEIR way, it has to be wrong or dangerous!!

SR

Put it this way...if you need to tow or pull, connect to the tractor's drawbar below the PTO out shaft.

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen...

BTW, I just pulled a stuck PTO driveshaft apart yesterday...I'd sprayed penetrating oil on it and let it set for a couple days and rigged a couple straps to each end...one to a fixed object (trailer hitch on my truck), the other to a bucket hook. The bucket was curled enough to act as a shield in case the shaft flew apart. Then, a slow pull and, it did come apart pretty easily

 

[k0ua]

Using the top link attachment point to pull from is just about a picture perfect way to invite a back flip of a tractor. No ROPS either. Nothing to save his sorry young butt but his reflexes.

 

[goeduck]

Put it this way...if you need to tow or pull, connect to the tractor's drawbar below the PTO out shaft.

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever seen...

Right, he has his rear tires reversed, real stupid!

Seriously, the Dad (I assume) says he hopes the kid does not land on his head, and says dont flip it. What kind of parent knows his kid could kill himself and lets it go on. Fortunately that old Ford had too high of gears and not enough grunt.