Perhaps a Helmet While Bushwacking/Brush clearing??

[jgrreed]

I read on here on TBN recently of a man killed by a tree branch that was tensioned by either the ROPS or exhaust (or something), and subsequently snapped back, struck him in the head, and killed him.

I spent the better part of last week pasture mowing and reclaiming some overgrown brush/bush. I can now certainly see the argument for open station machines to prevent cab damage!!

More importantly however, several times I considered putting on my full-face sledding helmet after taking a whipping branch in the face/arm/back/leg..... I was thinking for eye protection, but perhaps that might have saved this man as well.

Passer's by and neighbors might wonder what on earth you're thinking, but it'd be worth it if it saves an eye, or your cerebrum.

-Jer.

 

[jlsmith]

Got slapped sat while mowing. I know what ur talking about lol.:laughing:

 

[brin]

Those limbs that get hung and bent back by you ROPS even when folded down can come back and swat you in the back of the head...has happened to me several times.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

I've been taking back some dense brush/saplings along my fence line, about 50' deep and 20 something tall. What I have found is backing in with the cutter is much safer, and keeps the branches from catching the mirrors/lights on the cab.

Haven't had the pleasure of breaking a cab window on branches tho ...

 

[jgrreed]

Got slapped sat while mowing. I know what ur talking about lol.:laughing:

Oh ya, it hurts like a B****. (those are capital asterisks).

I can see how it could kill someone. Your tractor basically becomes a 60hp bullwhip/bow/slingshot. That's a lot of energy.

Be safe.

-Jer.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,spend several hours a year going around the edges cutting back stuff with a chain saw, that stuck out to far for me last time I cut. Could be dangerous in several ways,going up a steep hill,roll bar hits a big enough limb,maybe over you go.

 

[Dakota_male]

I backed into a white birch not long ago on my tractor, it caused the top to whip and break off , it came down struck me on the forehead taking some of my bark with it. A canopy would also help!!

 

[Tollster]

Been knocked silly a few times backing up, its always under tight woods and due to the ROPS, happened on the BX and the Exmark.

 

[jgrreed]

Been knocked silly a few times backing up, its always under tight woods and due to the ROPS, happened on the BX and the Exmark.

That's bad.

My helmet idea isn't seeming so crazy after reading these responses.

-Jer.

 

[Kernopelli]

You know, this really isn't a bad idea. Head protection isn't thought twice about when doing so many things yet this is one that has never been mentioned but certainly applicable. I have been smacked hard by limbs that were pushed by the ROPS several times. Mowing/bush hogging has its dangers too. A coworker was killed 2 years ago while bush hogging a field. He ran over a fence post that was laying on the ground covered with brush and it threw a staple out from under the front of the mower and hit him in the back of the head...killed him right there. Freak accident or not a helmet probably would have saved his life. Frankly, I think you have proposed a wonderful idea.

 

[Jaylegger]

I purchased and have been using a "soft bump hat" (lined with ABS) for chipping and mowing for the reasons cited. Lighter, more comfortable, and less cumbersome than a hard hard and is perfect for preventing tissue injuries and can take a pretty good knock as well without the stars coming out. I now also wear it hooking up attachments, not sure how many times I've straightened up from jerking around with the 3pt hitch and such only to catch my head on the corner of something.

Very inexpensive too, purchased mine for $5.

soft bump cap | Safety Apparel | Safety | Garage | Princess Auto

 

[Porkie]

I have also thought about this many times. I have been hit in the back of the head quite a few times. A motorcycle helmet with a shield would be ideal. It would be hot however and would probably give a person a headache from bouncing around.

Sam

 

[Furu]

I routinely wear my logging/chain saw helmet with ear protection and face shield whenever I am doing anything with the tractor other than the BH. Chipper, logging winch, brush hog etc. Not just chain saw or hand held brush clearing saws can throw high velocity projectiles. Additionally the hearing protection is nice.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Yes, Trovenn, I always thought that was the best thing to use - but I didn't get to buy one yet. I like to have ear muffs for chainsaw, weedwhacker and tractor too and too many times got saw dust or little rocks thrown in my face.

 

[Zxyrthe]

Earlier in the week I left my hard hat on after some chainsaw work and went into the woods on my tractor to move some brush piles. After several thwacks on my helmet from ROPS-loaded branches, I've decided to make wearing the hard hat a standard practice.

 

[Transit]

Earlier in the week I left my hard hat on after some chainsaw work and went into the woods on my tractor to move some brush piles. After several thwacks on my helmet from ROPS-loaded branches, I've decided to make wearing the hard hat a standard practice.

Exhalent choice, how about eye protection too, face shield or goggles? :thumbsup:

 

[CBW1999]

You can never be too safe while working on equipment. My buddy exemplifies this while he is at work-

I am thinking of getting one myself, if they come in Kubota Orange:thumbsup:

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I guess a hardhat keeper right on the tractor is the way to go, at least for a forgetful guy like me. The soft bump cap is interesting. I have one of these - I wonder if it would work the same?
Amazon.com: Cheesehead Baseball Cap - Green Bay Packers: Clothing

 

[Transit]

I guess a hardhat keeper right on the tractor is the way to go, at least for a forgetful guy like me. The soft bump cap is interesting. I have one of these - I wonder if it would work the same?
Amazon.com: Cheesehead Baseball Cap - Green Bay Packers: Clothing

If it is not an OSHA rated hard hat you are wasting your money, may as well rap a towel around your head to hold in your brain.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I thought that's what these things on the back of the tractor are, hat holders. Keep my kubota oj hardhat with screen and earmuffs there when not using it.