J_J
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 18,952
- Location
- JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
Another fear story. About 5 years ago, I was cutting a slope with a Dixie Chopper 60 in, with no ROPS, that I had been cutting for three years. This one day, the grass was wet and I made a down hill turn, which I hardly ever do. Started to slide down the slope in full reverse, no good. There was a 4 ft drop off to the next level down. As soon as the front wheels hit the edge, I bailed out, all 210 lbs of me bit the dust, and then the Dixie Chopper fell on top of me. Engine still running upside down. Was afraid gas was going to spill on me and I was pinned under the Chopper. I managed to cut the engine off, and drag myself from under the Chopper. I had just missed an air condition unit when I dove off, lucky me. If I had stayed in the seat, I would have landed on my head with the full weight of the machine. Anyway I hurt all over, and thought my leg was broke. They determined that I had split the side leg muscle, and that I might just live with it that way. ROPS might would have helped some, but there is nothing to hold the head close against the ROPS. Also, the steering handles can't open up unless you are in neutral. Extreme fear factor set in. After that I cut that slope with a walk behind mower. I never wear a seatbelt around water..