This happened to my 82 year old father Friday. He decided to get some wood with the old MF 35 and cart. Since the tractor hadn't been run for awhile, the battery was dead. It was parked on a slight hill, so he tried to start it while in gear, it ran a little and died. So, dad gets the jump starter, connects the negative and hooks-up the positive. The tractor was still in gear but managed to start and run while he was beside of it. So, he ends-up getting drug under the tractor. Lucky for him it ran over him without stalling and my mother was able to hear him yell for help. My brother takes him to the VA where he has been since Friday. He has a broke collar bone, some bones in his hand are fractured as well as his big toe. He can't put weight on his left leg to walk, which they are trying to figure-out. So, moral of the story...make sure the tractor is in NEUTRAL and that it will not roll or start when you're messing around the engine. As a person gets older, sometimes their judgement is less than ideal, or sometimes a person gets in a hurry. Take your time and plan to work safely. Short-cuts can get you killed. He was very lucky it didn't run over his head or stop with him under it, someone was nearby to help, and lucky he apparently has only a few broke/fractured bones.
MF 35 Accident
- Thread starter dlmpsy
- Start date
- Views: 2465
Sorry to hear about his accident.
I am always careful because of things that happen like this. Transmission in neutral and clutch disengaged for safe measures. Tractor accidents have been happening forever... forgetting to ****** the spark on the old hand crank machines... oops.
I am always careful because of things that happen like this. Transmission in neutral and clutch disengaged for safe measures. Tractor accidents have been happening forever... forgetting to ****** the spark on the old hand crank machines... oops.
a mf 35 should have a neutral safety switch that prevents starting in gear....
that being said mine has frequently gone out and I jump it out. i have a rule I only attempt to start if i am in the seat.
or did they jump right to the starter???
that being said mine has frequently gone out and I jump it out. i have a rule I only attempt to start if i am in the seat.
or did they jump right to the starter???
From what I have been able to learn from my father, he thought he could hook-up the jumper to the battery, then get on the tractor to crank it again. He knew the tractor would not start unless it was in neutral with the key, so if I am guessing correctly, he thought it wouldn't start with the key on and in gear and the jumper on. He more or less said this when I talked to him, he said he hooked-up the ground and as soon as the jumper touched the positive on the battery, the tractor started.
creekbend
Super Star Member
Sorry to hear about your Father. Sincerely hope that he has a speedy recovery.
joshuabardwell
Elite Member
If there is one thing I have learned from firearms, it's that safety devices are there to protect you WHEN (not if) safety procedures fail. But safety procedures are your first line of defense, because safety devices are not 100%. Once you start relying on the presence of safety devices to allow you to willfully disregard safety procedures, you are asking for trouble. That being said, I'm sure we've all done something like this, and been lucky enough not to get bit for it. Glad your dad is going to be okay. He'll have one **** of a story to tell.
Bob77064
Elite Member
Sorry to hear about your Dad, I wish him a good recovery.
