Roll Overs

[Anonymous Poster]

My neighbor down the street is the Multnomah County Medical Examiner (Portland, Oregon). She is an M.D. and business is always good. She has been in the “body business” for roughly 20 years all over Oregon and Washington. She tells me that the ROPs will save your life if you are wearing a seat belt and if you are not wearing your seat belt the ROPs is usually what will kill you.(Yuck!)
She knows.
I Never ride my L3010 without my seatbelt on. Not even in my own driveway.

 

[Golfgar4]

I don't care what anyone says - wearing a seatbelt is simply developing the habit. Once you do that, it is no big deal - until you don't wear it and need it! Then, it's usually the Final deal!

 

[Harv]

Holy Cow, Mike! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

I just got around to reading your story, and I'm truly glad you're still around to share it with us.

I haven't rolled my 'Bota yet (and don't plan to, thank you very much), but after my first few excursions around my hilly property, I went out and bought a coach's whistle to wear around my neck and a couple of decent walkie-talkies to boot. I always have them with me now when I'm out tractorin' my 42 acres, and my wife is happy to keep one of the walkie-talkies with her.

The whistle idea came from neighbors who told me it's a fairly common practice in those parts, and everybody is tuned in to react to the sound of a distress whistle. That was good to know.

Anybody else take similar precautions?

 

[Golfgar4]

Harv,

There's a thread over in the Projects section going on today called <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=projects&Number=138668&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>Remote Control light</A>. It's not quite what you're talking about, but it could be. He's looking for a way to rig a remote light on the tractor so that if his wife needed from the house, she could "activate" the light so he would see it.

What made me think of it was that he said that radios (a.k.a. walkie talkies) couldn't be heard over the engine noise. Is that a problem you've encountered? I like your idea about the whistle and/or the radios.

 

[Harv]

Thanks, Garry. That's a thread I missed (never thought the day would come

), but I've read it now.

I'm using a pair of Motorola TalkAbout 250's, which have been giving me very impressive service over the majority of my property. Crystal clear communication everywhere except for the very lowest valleys. Fortunately for me, I can't get the tractor down there, either.

I wear mine clipped to my belt and I've never missed a call, even when running my rotary cutter at full PTO speed. The volume and clarity are superb, and Motorola offers a couple of different kinds of ear sets if you need even more assurance. The only problem I ever have is when the volume accidentally gets turned down and I don't notice. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[bobnewjersey]

Roy.......I rolled a Farmall "trike" when I was 20 and working on a golf course. The tractor had a belly mower and ag tires. I had mowed this particular area probably 100 times.....but that day was just wet enough and the area steep enough that it rolled right on top of me.(expect the unexpected) Lucky for me the ground was soft and the rear wheel just mashed me into the mud. A trip to the hospital for some x-rays and I was released much wiser! Now if it feels to steep I know it is!!

 

[RoyJackson]

I had mowed this particular area probably 100 times.....but that day was just wet enough and the area steep enough...

I never, ever mow wet grass. Not only is it slick, I'll scuff up the grass quite easily (Bar turfs on the back).

 

[GregGG]

Well mike, I feel as though many of us get a good warning/scare at least once in our lives. I still remember some choice moments from the accident, the one that makes me cringe still is thinking that my head was going to be crushed as I saw the hood coming tword my face as i was laying on the ground looking up at it. I am not sure at all how I got away as far as I did but I also remember screaming "get it off" like a lil kid when it had me pinned. I cannot imagine how I would have reacted if I had felt even the slightest blood. Your story makes me cringe when I read it. I like life alot more now! God bless!

 

[Egon]

Reading this thread brings some thoughts to mind many re: Harv's comments and precautions.

Would one be able to have a switch to activate a horn or a remote alarm in a location where someone is present when the tractor is inverted. Not always may you be able to use the whistle or radio.

I operate my B7100HST without ROPS in a remote area and can go for as long as a week without seeing anyone. I have never upset it but had several occasions when using the loader and a front wheel went in a hole that came close. Both times I literally ejected from the seat and found myself standing 10 feet away before I even realized I'd moved. Involuntary reaction perhaps developed from riding mountain bikes and being able to dismount over the handle bars and land on my feet.

Egon

 

[RoyJackson]

I operate my B7100HST without ROPS in a remote area and <font color=blue>can go for as long as a week without seeing anyone.</font color=blue>

If you're that remote, it's unlikely your radio (or other signaling device) would be in range of anyone. Especially true if it's a "line of sight" device.

Unless you're camping and no access to a phone, I'd consider setting a time to call someone daily. If you don't call, it'd be a signal that you're in trouble.

Why are you working without a ROPS? If your machine rolls and you can't get off in time...you'd be stuck for a week before someone would be looking for you?

Brrrrrrrrrr! That sends chills up my spine!