MN TRACTOR ACCIDENT

[mnbowhunter1960]

Man Killed In Tractor Accident
COLD SPRING, Minn. (AP) ― A Cold Spring, Minn. man is dead after a tractor accident.

Authorities say 76-year-old Carl Mueller was driving a tractor, pulling two hayracks, when the trailer jackknifed causing the tractor to roll into the ditch.

Mueller was found dead underneath the tractor.

The accident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday, about a half-mile north of Cold Spring.

 

[N80]

The more I hear about these the more I see a trend consisting of old men and old tractors. In this case, we have no info about the tractor but the absence of a ROPS or seatbelt is a safe assumption.

You combine the decreased strength, wit and reflexes that come with older ages with the unforgiving nature of tractors without ROPS or seatbelts and it is an obvious recipe for problems.

What do we learn from it?

Maybe getting killed at age 76 doing what you like to do isn't the worst thing that can happen to you. But I doubt our families would feel the same way.

 

[SkunkWerX]

The more I hear about these the more I see a trend consisting of old men and old tractors. In this case, we have no info about the tractor but the absence of a ROPS or seatbelt is a safe assumption.

You combine the decreased strength, wit and reflexes that come with older ages with the unforgiving nature of tractors without ROPS or seatbelts and it is an obvious recipe for problems.

What do we learn from it?

Maybe getting killed at age 76 doing what you like to do isn't the worst thing that can happen to you. But I doubt our families would feel the same way.

I agree with NA80 on this one, hearing about far too many 70 and 80 year olds in these stories.

I would like to add, 6pm is getting toward Dark outside isn't it?
Add to that, it was in MN where I'd guess temps were hovering around freezing?

Then there is the mysterious sudden trailer jack-knifing.
Trailers don't just jack-knife (effect) without some cause.

I don't knwo what we can learn from this one, until we get more facts.
At this point we know a little bit of nothing.

 

[bjcsc]

Not too many ways for this to happen...more than likely pulling a heavy trailer without brakes downhill and tried to either stop it or slow it down...

 

[putt_putt_green]

We had a very good friend of the family died in a tractor rollover several years ago, while driving down the road. He was 75 and was driving an old tractor. My dad tells me the tractor was on its last legs.

Lesson - don't drive an unsafe tractor.

 

[ToadHill]

You combine the decreased strength, wit and reflexes that come with older ages with the unforgiving nature of tractors without ROPS or seatbelts and it is an obvious recipe for problems.

Some of us "Oldsters" may agree with the strength and reflexes part but the "wit" no way.

 

[N80]

Not too many ways for this to happen...more than likely pulling a heavy trailer without brakes downhill and tried to either stop it or slow it down...

My B-I-L had this happen to him, fortunately with a better outcome. Using a 2wd JD 2355, pulling two fully loaded hay wagons downhill on wet grass. Hit the brakes (or got out of the throttle), the wagons pushed and the back tires lost grip. He was slightly cross hill and the wagons jack knifed him. The first one came up and smashed into the fender and bent it a little. He said it happened fairly slowly but it still scared the dickens out of him. He blamed it on worn rear tires (they were VERY worn). I helped him put the new ones on the next weekend.

 

[firemanpat2910]

stories like this make you think. My old grandpappy when he was alive tried to do more than he could. I was the only one that could just step in his way and take the tools from his hand and do it my self. He would raise caine about it but I would just say, this is why you taught me, let me show you how good, strong, talented, skilled (wich ever fit the situation) you made me. when I was not around he would over do and be sore, or get the job half done and give out. He never had a tractor that I know of but if he had I could see him not giving up the keys. But the other side is when you give up you start dying. so... All in all it might not be a bad way to go

 

[N80]

Some of us "Oldsters" may agree with the strength and reflexes part but the "wit" no way.

Well, maybe you're doing better than me but I'm only 44 and its already slipping. Of course my dad always said I was a half-wit so I'm going from bad to worse.

 

[Alden Foxx]

Carl was a beautiful human being who absolutely loved farming. He was persistant on getting on the tractor that day and helping out. Farming was his life. It wasn't freezing cold that day. In fact, it was a beautiful fall day, and the accident occured at dusk.

For those who post on this forum, please be kind with your comments and remember that with this tragic accident, Carl wasn't just another "old" 76 year old as you have all commented. The rural community of Cold Spring lost a good friend. The family of Carl lost a father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and nephew.

Thank you.

 

[N80]

I don't feel like anyone was disrespectful here. We were simply curious as we did not have many facts. It goes without saying that any human loss can be and usually is heartbreaking for loved ones. I don't think anyone here minimized that loss.

The fact is, in my experience, when we discuss tractor accidents we are doing so less to express sympathy and more to determine what lessons can be learned to help prevent that sort of thing happening to us or someone we love. We often do express sympathy, and that is certainly appropriate. But discussing the mechanics and causes of such a tragedy does not mean that we are without sympathy whether we express that sympathy or not.

 

[TrippleT]

I agree, I would never minimize someone's life. But, I too am getting to be an old man and sometimes I, like the movie, have to realize my limitations. On the other hand I know a guy who is 90 years old works with his computer and is pretty good at it. SO, I wouldn't limit driving the tractor for anyone. I had a friend in his forty's that turned a tractor over and it killed him. I think the ROP'S are a very good thing in conjunction with the lap belts. And all the facts we can have on such accidents we can get may save one of our lives.

 

[Qapla]

... hearing about far too many 70 and 80 year olds in these stories...

Perhaps we hear "far to many of these stories" because that is what people feel the need to post. On the same day that this 76 year old farmer died, how many his age and older operated a tractor with no problems at all?

We don't know because no one posts stories about an older tractor operator who got up early, put in a full day and arrived home safely after doing a good days work.

I'm sure, on any given day, that the number of tractor operators (old or young) who had a day without serious incident far outweighs the ones that ended in tragedy. But, since tragedy is much more attention grabbing, we tend to dwell on them a bit more.

 

[RoyJackson]

Maybe getting killed at age 76 doing what you like to do isn't the worst thing that can happen to you. But I doubt our families would feel the same way.

These men, of an older generation, were tough and hard workers. The gentleman who died in this accident, was doing what he did all his life. This kind of hard manual labor would kill a bunch of us younger guys...

Yes, it's a sad thing...but not as sad as setting in a nursing home wasting away...

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Hi Alden - sorry for your loss.

Most of the folks here are respectful of others, and push safety for humanitarian reasons. I too don't think anyone meant any disrespect.

 

[creekbend]

These men, of an older generation, were tough and hard workers. The gentleman who died in this accident, was doing what he did all his life. This kind of hard manual labor would kill a bunch of us younger guys...

Yes, it's a sad thing...but not as sad as setting in a nursing home wasting away...

Well stated and timely.

 

[creekbend]

Carl was a beautiful human being who absolutely loved farming. He was persistant on getting on the tractor that day and helping out. Farming was his life. It wasn't freezing cold that day. In fact, it was a beautiful fall day, and the accident occured at dusk.

For those who post on this forum, please be kind with your comments and remember that with this tragic accident, Carl wasn't just another "old" 76 year old as you have all commented. The rural community of Cold Spring lost a good friend. The family of Carl lost a father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and nephew.

Thank you.

So sorry for your loss. He seemed to be loved, by everyone, his Family and the entire community.

 

[First one]

So sorry , to hear he pasted away. I don't think there's one of us that thinks getting old means we won't still be given'er **** as long as we can, either on a tractor or chasing the old lady around the house.
It sounds like what happened could have happend to anyone young or old.
Unfortunately there will always be accidents no matter how safe were trying to be. Trying to think ahead what could go wrong before doing it, can save ya sometimes , but not always.