My PT Accident

[FOURTEEN]

Sorry to hear of your /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif experience!!

We should always shut off the PT, but we don't, regardless of our resolutions to do so!!

I recognized that potential for trouble, and it was one of my primary motivations for installing the stretch cords on my treadle.

When mounting the PT from the right side, I always place the instep of my right shoe on the vertical edge of the tub just above the right steering cylinder, not inside the treadle well. I grab the left ROPS with my right hand, and the seat back with my left hand. Do not grab the steering wheel, because it can move and throw you off balance! I then step up, balancing most of my weight on my right foot, and slid my butt onto the seat and my left foot into place on the floor behind, not on, the reverse treadle. I then lift my right foot off the tub's vertical side and into place on the floor behind, not on, the forward treadle. Flip rights and lefts, if mounting from the left side. Reverse the procedure to dismount. Fasten the seat belt before touching the treadle!!

Never have your foot on the ground while your other foot is inside the treadle well!!

This may sound complex, but actually it is quite easy and intuitive!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[cqaigy]

Nice discrption FOURTEEN. I don't normally get out on the right side, must be from riding horses, but that sound pretty much how i do it from the left side.

 

[cqaigy]

rainbow,
Thanks for sharing and it's only foolish if you keep doing it after you shoulda learned not to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Glad to hear that you didn't break anything.

I had a friend jump start a tractor that was in gear. It proceeded up his right leg, knocking him down, then up and over his chest , just missing his head. I don't know why he wasn't seriously hurt cause it was a big tractor w/calcium in the tires, it might have been because the ground was pretty soft so it smushed him into it. He finally made time to replace the starter solenoid.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Thanks!! I described a right side mount because the only picture that I had that would nicely show the vertical edge of the tub was of the right side! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The critical thing is to not stick your foot into the treadle well while you are still standing on the ground!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif


"Ambidextrous means that you are clumsy with both hands!!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


PS: Have you noticed that the seat belt holds you to the seat, but, since the seat tilts up, an abrupt stop will pitch you into the steering wheel or dash!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Good thing you are OK. Sounds scary. While the PT only weighs a little over a thousand pounds, and there may only be a few hundred on one wheel, not many of us can lift that kind of weight. Lucky you weren't mowing. YIKES! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> Many boats and hand operated machines, tillers, mowers, etc. have had similar safety switches for years

Anyone have an idea how a Power Trac could be modified to do the same thing? </font>

A quick fix could be to use a cut off switch tethered to your clothes like on snowmobiles, ATVs and watercraft. Check your local shops for availability.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> seat belt holds you to the seat, but, since the seat tilts up, an abrupt stop will pitch you into the steering wheel or dash!! </font>

Yes, that has happened once or twice to me. I was thinking of just drilling a small hole in the tunnel above the seat support and inserting a small thumblock pin in it. I rarley lift the seat, except to check hydraulic levels and when re-fueling because I don't want fuel splashed on my seat. The thumb button pin could be easily removed.

 

[MossRoad]

And not to beat a dead horse, but it's better than going to a friend's funeral...

Why don't we turn off our tractors before we get off? To save a little time, some $$ on a battery or starter repairs? Wear and tear on the engine, perhaps? In the big picture, these costs are so small when compared to the value of our lives and the cost to our loved ones. Just turn it off whenever possible. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rainbow]

<font color="green"> </font> "While the PT only weighs a little over a thousand pounds, and there may only be a few hundred on one wheel, not many of us can lift that kind of weight."

<font color="black"> </font> The PT website says the 425 weighs 1387 lbs. With the 4in1 bucket out front, I'd say it was around 1600 lbs, or about 400 lbs. evenly pressed by the front turf tire on my upper thigh. I didn't use any of my adrenaline to see if I could lift it off from a sitting position.


My squished leg actually faired better (other than my still sore twisted knee) than my left leg and behind that got yanked off the PT and slammed against the side, leaving a big tear in my pants and green paint on my back side.

Anyway, I spent three hours in the seat today without a mishap. That's only one hospital trip per thirteen hours of PT operation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[toy]

I use a peice of two by six in my footwell for my feet to set on to take the strain off my ankles and to make it less likly to have a sudden surge when you mash down on the tram pedal. I noticed the other day after reading your post that the 2by6 raises your foot up about level with the tram pedal so that when you put your foot in you have to extend your foot to be able to give it tram. I cut my blocks to fit the footwell and put a screw in the bottom to stick through the clean out hole to keep it from sliding around , for those that use the blocks check it out and see what I am talking about. But as has already been mentioned it is best to cut the machine off when you are getting off the machine.