OPERATIONAL TIPS FOR NEWBIES

[kebo]

Thank you, sir...

Hutchinson Man Killed In Tractor Accident

April 8, 2009 05:21 PM EDT


By Roger Cornish (HUTCHINSON, Kan.)

One man was killed in a tractor accident near Hutchinson Wednesday afternoon.

The Reno County Sheriff tells Eyewitness News the man was using a small tractor to pull a 2 and a half ton truck out of sand.

The tractor flipped over backwards, pinning 57 year old Rickey Blackburn underneath.

Blackburn was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened during the noon hour at 2611 D. Lorraine.




Obviously we can't possibly know all the particulars about how this accident happened, but ask yourself this question.... If that tractor operator had pulled from the front of the tractor, do you think he might still be alive today?

 

[Soundguy]

He might.. and he might be repalcing the front kingpin on his tractor as the front axle ripepd off damaging the front bolster? engine, radiator and fan and sheetmetal... or it may have done nothing with that chevron tread running backwards...

though we don't know the details.. ( that says it all ).. we are just guessing as to whether he may be alive or not. A person that does unsafe actrs is just standing in line to get his ticket punched.. if it ain't one thing.. it will be another.

guys that pull from high spots like the toplink rocker are the same ones that use hollow cell block to hold up large pieces of metal while they crawl under them.

had he pulled from a belly drawbar.. I doubt it would have backflipped on him...

soundguy

 

[kebo]

He might.. and he might be repalcing the front kingpin on his tractor as the front axle ripepd off damaging the front bolster? engine, radiator and fan and sheetmetal... or it may have done nothing with that chevron tread running backwards...

though we don't know the details.. ( that says it all ).. we are just guessing as to whether he may be alive or not. A person that does unsafe actrs is just standing in line to get his ticket punched.. if it ain't one thing.. it will be another.

guys that pull from high spots like the toplink rocker are the same ones that use hollow cell block to hold up large pieces of metal while they crawl under them.

had he pulled from a belly drawbar.. I doubt it would have backflipped on him...

soundguy

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

 

[Altex]

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

Yeah, but you got to try to use common sense and not try extreme things you're not sure about. If he would have known the maximum drag load on his tractor was surpassed, I don't think he would have tried the pull. I'm sure at times we all push our tractors more than they should be pushed. But, this is a reminder and a lesson of what can happen.

If you want to go farther, you could say that, if this guy never had a tractor he might still be alive, so don't buy a tractor. But, that's crazy.

I feel sorry for the loss of his family. There's risk in everything. But, that's what's great about this site and the web. We can all learn from other's experiences.

I'll still tow from my towbar because that's what it was designed for. But, I'll make sure I don't over load it. Use your FEL for towing if that suites you. But, saftey applies to all situations.

 

[tydp]

My point in all this was for newbies NOT to be told to pull from the front. Pull from the draw bar (belly hitch). It's simple physics. It's what the hitch was made for. The belly hitch is below the COG and won't cause the tractor to flip backwards. I am sorry about the accident but as Soundguy said, we don't know the particulars. I'll bet a dime against a doughnut that the truck was being pulled from the top link or from the lift arms raised above the COG. Anyway, common sense goes a long way. Good luck.

 

[Altex]

My point in all this was for newbies NOT to be told to pull from the front...

You're right!

45) Warm up you tractor for at least 10 minutes. Be patient!

I know at times you want to jump on it and go. Ya just can't wait to get it moving. But warming it up will be better for the life of your engine.

 

[CurlyDave]

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

Actually, I will go you one further.

I always try to pull in reverse from grab hooks welded on the FEL. I have heard the claim that this may damage the FEL, but I can not find a single instance of FEL damage from pulling with it on TBN, and a Google search turns up nothing also.

If I keep the bucket low, the worst that I have ever had happen is that the front tilts down and the bucket hits the ground. Tractor stops. Almost instinctively I back off on the HST and the tractor comes back down on 4 wheels. No discernible damage to FEL.

Has anyone actually seen FEL damage from pulling with it?

Has anyone actually read of a credible incident of FEL damage (not a warning, real actual damage) ?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

Actually, I will go you one further.

I always try to pull in reverse from grab hooks welded on the FEL. I have heard the claim that this may damage the FEL, but I can not find a single instance of FEL damage from pulling with it on TBN, and a Google search turns up nothing also.

If I keep the bucket low, the worst that I have ever had happen is that the front tilts down and the bucket hits the ground. Tractor stops. Almost instinctively I back off on the HST and the tractor comes back down on 4 wheels. No discernible damage to FEL.

Has anyone actually seen FEL damage from pulling with it?

Has anyone actually read of a credible incident of FEL damage (not a warning, real actual damage) ?

Oh the logic...... I have not been killed, so obviously my technique is infallable. .......... I have never personally talked with anyone who's been killed in a tractor roll-over, backwards, forward, or sideways. Have you?

I HAVE seen (first hand) loaders destroyed by pulling heavy loads in reverse. Frames bent, cylinders snapped, buckets destroyed, ect. Not to say it'll happen every time, but it happens quite frequently.

And yes, I do know of a tractor that flipped over forward. (State Hwy mowing crew, attempting to "un-stuck" another tractor by pulling backwards on a slight incline. Flipped tractor was 4wd)

I've NEVER pulled anything with a tractor in reverse, ALWAYS going forward, and I'm still here, no tractors flipped, so I'm sticking with the theory that by not attempting to use a tractor beyond it's capabilities and I'll remain safe......and so will my tractor.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hutchinson Man Killed In Tractor Accident

April 8, 2009 05:21 PM EDT


By Roger Cornish (HUTCHINSON, Kan.)

One man was killed in a tractor accident near Hutchinson Wednesday afternoon.

The Reno County Sheriff tells Eyewitness News the man was using a small tractor to pull a 2 and a half ton truck out of sand.

The tractor flipped over backwards, pinning 57 year old Rickey Blackburn underneath.

Blackburn was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened during the noon hour at 2611 D. Lorraine.




Obviously we can't possibly know all the particulars about how this accident happened, but ask yourself this question.... If that tractor operator had pulled from the front of the tractor, do you think he might still be alive today?

Or.....By NOT attempting to use too small of a tractor to pull what was obviously too heavy of a load, he would be here today. There's dangers when using ANY machine incorrectly and/or well beyond it's capability.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

No one is missing your point. Just seeing the GIANT misconceptions contained with-in. I HAVE seen the results of a tractor flipping over forward. (State Hwy mowing crew, pulling a stuck tractor out with a second tractor. 2nd was a 4wd, in reverse, on a slight incline. Pulling from front weight bracket, higher than axle centerline)

Use a tractor CORRECTLY and with-in it's capabilities and neither operator OR tractor needs to be replaced.

 

[Soundguy]

My point still seems to be getting missed by a country mile.... Ever heard of a tractor flipping over frontwards?? Didn't think so. Tractor parts can be replaced. Lives cannot.

No.. you are missing the point.

the guy pulled a bone headed maneuver and got himself darwinated.. that makes perfect sense.

pulling fromthe front is not an option.. had he pulled fromthe front.. nothing would have happened as he had no traction.. then he would have given up and pulled from the rear.. then poof.. here we are talking about what if's.

he praciced unsafe acts.. his ticket got punched.. i see perfect sequential logic in this.

sounduy

 

[LD1]

I agree 100% with FWJ and Soundguy.

The drawbar is it safest place to pull from. Thats its only purpose and thats why the manufactures put it there.

The front axle is designed to be an axle and the grill guard is designed to be a grill guard NOT a drawbar.

Right now there are thousands of farmers all across the country working ground and planting and towing with the drawbars. I think you should stop sometime when you see one of them working ground and tell the that its unsafe and they should hook to their front axle and go in reverse, just to see what they say

 

[Wheatland KB]

Has anyone actually seen FEL damage from pulling with it?

We had an old Minneapolis Moline years back and were pulling an old fence down with the FEL (pulling backwards). The FEL was a bit too high and the fence came over and bent both FEL rams into a nice arc. Remember the FEL was raised up about halfway so I doubt if the bends would have occured if the FEL was low.

I agree that any pulling would be safer from the drawbar but just dont do it on uneven (unsafe) ground such as pulling a vehicle out of a steep ditch.

We use our tractors for so many different jobs that sooner or later it happens that a more convinient attitude may be to pull back with the FEL or lift/drag something with the TPH but the best advice was from FWJ...make sure your brain is firmly engaged in a solid forward gear....

Know your limitations and your machines limitations. If there is doubt...you could very well be going too far so re-engage the brain and find a safer way.

There us really no substitute for experience and all too often experience is gained outside of the safety envelope.

 

[workinallthetime]

46. with all this chatter about towing and where to tow/pull from I thought I should mention what I use to tow/pull/drag with. I use grade 40 to grade 70 3/8" chain, mw small machine only makes 30 hp so that is pleanty big for what I do. I would also like to mention that you should always be prepared for your chain or strap to break and have the correct safety measures in place to prevent sudden brain exposure.

GUYS DONT MAKE THIS INTO A STRAPS -VS- CHAINS DEAL!!!!

someone break out their owners manual and read it, mine clearly says pull from the draw bar good enough for me and my little b3030

 

[LD1]

I pull with straps, I dont like chain

Just kidding, but you do bring up a good point.

Use good quality chain/strap sized accordingly.

Broken chains become flying projectiles, especally if you are using chain and strap together, the strap stores a lot of energy and can really sling a chain.

If you have to use a chain and strap together, and the strap has sewed eyes and not a metal ring, then you should use a clevis to hook the strap and chain together, and not just loop the chain through the eye and hook back to itself. It damages the strap and causes them to break easier

 

[impdaddy]

I understand all the safety tips offerred here and all over TBN, but my problem is I can't seem to be able to get the back blade to make a smooth finish without digging in too deep or not enough. same holds true with using the FEL. Am I missing something or is just practice, practice, practice. Somewaht frustrated dude here. BTW this is an awesome site. just wish I could learn something

 

[weedpharma]

You're right!

45) Warm up you tractor for at least 10 minutes. Be patient!

I know at times you want to jump on it and go. Ya just can't wait to get it moving. But warming it up will be better for the life of your engine.

While I agree with the basic premise of warming up before gettting any machine to do heavy work, I would suggest that this does not necessarilly mean leaving it idling for 10 minutes.

Modern (and some not so modern) engines get oil into the system fairly quickly. Once that happens there is little need to simply leave it idling. The engine will warm up quicker with a light load such as driving the tractor to where it will be used. So rather than wasting fuel simply to get the engine to full operating temperature just give it a minute or two idling then drive it.

Weedpharma

 

[kebo]

My point in all this was for newbies NOT to be told to pull from the front. Pull from the draw bar (belly hitch). It's simple physics. It's what the hitch was made for. The belly hitch is below the COG and won't cause the tractor to flip backwards. I am sorry about the accident but as Soundguy said, we don't know the particulars. I'll bet a dime against a doughnut that the truck was being pulled from the top link or from the lift arms raised above the COG. Anyway, common sense goes a long way. Good luck.

Sorry, I didn't realize you had appointed yourself as the authority on what could be posted here as simple advice. I guess from now on we'll have to clear every comment though you before we can post it here.

I fully understand the geometry of the drawbar being below the axles, thus helping to keep the front end down (by lowering the COG). This lever advantage CAN be overcome with enough torque supplied to the rear wheels though. Don't fool yourself into believing it can never happen. Enough tractor operators have died to prove it can happen, regardless if the attachment point is ABOVE or BELOW the axles. A rollover can happen in less than 3/4 of a second, not enough time for anyone to be able to react and prevent it.

Here's a little tidbit for you to mull over:


Tractor Rollovers

85% are SIDE rollovers

15% are REAR rollovers

Less than 1% are FRONT rollovers

SOURCE: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Trac-Safe: A Community-Based Program for Reducing Injuries and Deaths Due to Tractor Overturns. Cincinnati, Ohio:1996


So, I still contend that the SAFEST way to pull a heavy load for a short period or distance is from the front. Oh yes, I will certainly agree that a tractor is designed to pull greater loads from the rear than from the front, and others have already pointed that out. I never said anything contrary to that. Also, it has been pointed out that there is some risk of damaging the tractor by pulling from the front as well. Again, I say it's better to risk replacing tractor parts than to risk losing your life. Besides, if you use tractors enough, at some point a particular situation will dictate that you will have no choice but to pull from the front. If it won't do the job, then it's time to step back and come up with a different plan. So, I guess we'll just have to disagree on this one issue.

Btw, even though front rollovers are fairly uncommon, the majority of front rollovers are due to driving over a cliff, dropoff, dam, large hole, or other extreme drop in grade. Not from pulling a heavy load and the tractor upsetting for some reason and flipping over forwards. I know that farmswithjunk pointed out one instance of a front rolloverdue to pulling a heavy load for a short time/distance, there's always the exception or three.

Well, one thing that we can all agree on is that using common sense, sizing the equipment for the task, and observing the normal safety rules as have been pointed out in this thread will go a long ways towards protecting operator and equipment.

 

[studor]

Funny --the accident I saw caused by pulling from the front, the tractor ended up on its SIDE. Course that was some idjit pulling with hooks on the bucket with the bucket raised a couple of feet.When he let out the clutch, it was just like a scene from a slapstick routine (in fast motion). It did not really rollover - more like a side flop. ---- I can think of better ways to drain the oil and fuel tank

 

[tydp]

Sorry, I didn't realize you had appointed yourself as the authority on what could be posted here as simple advice. I guess from now on we'll have to clear every comment though you before we can post it here.

I didn't get personal, sir, but I would rather be "a self appointed authority on what could be posted here" than a self appointed know-it-all such as yourself that really doesn't. I was trying to help "newbies" as the thread was titled. I suggest you speak of something that you know a little more about....Ohm's law perhaps?