Older Tractors are More Dangerous

Lazy · Feb 18, 2005

Hi
when you have someting on the back like a box blade I can't see how it would rotate over the box blade. I have pulled stumps with a box blade on the back and had the front wheels off the ground many times. it will rotate until the box and lift arms are lifted up to the max. travel then the rear wheels would lose grip and spin. all tools are only dangerous in the hands of dangerous people. wonder why they don't put an ROPS on convertibles and should you not wear your seat belt with the top down?

Charlie.

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

( In my book, being "stupid" is when you know something is dangerous and do it anyway.

Many of these people did not know what they were doing was dangerous. Their actions were based on ignorance and lack of training.
)

Aside from inobvious 'hidden' dangers.. some situations should be plainly either dangerous or not. I think the average person should have enough 'life skills' to make the determination whether a specific situation is dangerous or not.

Hooking a chain to the toplink of a tractor and then hopping on a trying to snatch or pull something.. well.. that's just dangerous.. and if the person doing it can't make that determination.. then.. well.. yes.. I'd say they were overcome with the 'stupids'.

Ignorance is another issue. If a person is ignorant of the facts needed to operate a machine.. well.. then they don't need to be on it.

Most tractor dealers I know will offer at least a rudimentary 'operators' course when you plunk down your cash.

Many local community colleges also have a heavy equimpment course, and many agg/livestock shows / pulling shows have a course for young tractor operators.

Besides all this.. a person of average intelegence should be able to read the operators manual, and glean the needed critical info out of there for basic operation. Skill will develop with more usage.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

A rear tool is great protection against a roll-back. Not much for rollover though. However both can happen fast.. anything that makes it safer is a plus.

Soundguy

cj7 · Feb 21, 2005

I agree that there are some improved safety measures that the newer machines have over the old. I think we see this to more than just tractors. Just pick about any piece of equipment, small or large. I do believe that the best saftey tool is our brain. But it does need to be a properly equiped one. Part of me says that we should be required by law to attend courses, however I am also not one to create more Government than is needed And I feel I have enough freedoms that are regulated (if you get my drift). I do think that it would be great if there were at least some type of training that was available. To both the novice and even moderatly experienced owners. But wants to take the liability to train people? One thing that is different about the new and old equipment purchase is, a new piece is straight from the dealer and the used can be from an individual or a dealer. So How do we get across to those buying an older machine all the safety measures? There is no manual that comes with it to even read like a new one. I was lucky when I bought mine. The PO had kept and passed along the manual for it. I guess I really do not have an answer. I also think that at least there are places like this site to gain valuable safety info. If one takes the time to read and listen to it. So maybe it helps keep some operators out of trouble. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Taylortractornut · Feb 21, 2005

I have a friend that sold an old Super C farmall I used to own to a tractor newbie. THe tractor was a tricycle front end and had several feete between the reartires. Very stable for a tricycle Ive been raised around these things and driving since I was 8. THis guy hadresold the tractor like I had it with the front mounted cultivatats for a 2 roaw set up. THe fella that bought it wanted to hand crank it the first time he did it it started up in gear and almost squished him. Later that week he couldnt wait to start it from the seat so he was sstanding beside the slide axle and behind the culivators. the pull the starter rod and she left like a rocket in 3rd gear. he was running and hopping like crazy trying to get upon the tractor on the wrong side. eventuall he tripped and the tractor passed aver hime with him between the rear wheels. I got the tractor out of his ditch. Later He sold it to a friend of mine and he has been accident free since. Most folks think they should outlaw the sale and use of the Ofset tractors like the Farmall A's and Cubs and Offset Fords because the tip over when the engine side is down hill. Ive ha one for many ears and have never rolled the little Cub over. I heard an old timer tell a lady at a tractor show they had a belt set up up on a mill and a few old machinist tools running off a tractor. She asked how they made it back then like they did with out all being killed in a belt pulley. he told her in a calm tone back then we had common sense and those who didnt made good examples or gained good experience. .

RobertN · Feb 21, 2005

Reprint manuals are available for most old machines. For my Farmall-A I have an original manual(found over the internet) and a "new" reprint, which is available through many sources. Here are dozens and dozens of manual, and this is just a single site; many others have them available too:
Manuals for all kinds of old tractors

The issue is people getting the manuals, and then ALSO reading them...

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

( would be great if there were at least some type of training that was available. )

In many cases there are.. even if it is a heavy equipment course.. or a 'pullin' school'

( So How do we get across to those buying an older machine all the safety measures? There is no manual that comes with it to even read like a new one )

I'm not sure what tractors you've had.. but all mine were made with manuals... and they are re-printed. 50-jd-B has a manual.. 66 ih cub has a manual. all 4 of my fords have manuals.. my allis G has a manual.. etc.

In most cases.. I picked out a style of tractor I wanted.. then bought a manual even before i got the tractor...

Soundguy

slowrev · Feb 21, 2005

Same here Soundguy, I get manuals for all my equipment, couldn't live without them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ben

cj7 · Feb 22, 2005

yeah I do realize that there are manuals available for these machines. My thought was that when the newbie owner buys an older machine to save money or whatever... the used dealer or private seller does not always include any of this informatioin ...so....the new onwer goes home 'thinking' he knows how to use it cause he 'drives a car' or has driven a 'garden tractor' etc.. then maybe finds out the 'hard way' the dangers that his particular machine has. There is just not any 'requirment' for this information to be passed along. It is up to the buyer to find it.

I am sure they may be training available.. however I do not recall seeing anything 'posted ' at any dealer (new or used) I have visited..it just is not something that is out there being advertised etc..