ROPS saved my life Sat.

[KennethBrown]

My parents are getting a new doublewide on some country land dad inherited. The road was a little narrow so we needed to widen it and remove trees from the edge. There are quite a few big ceders, some around 14 inches across the trunk and about 45 feet long. I was using my bucket forks to pick them up and move them further back in the woods with my Mahindra 5500. One of the big ones hung sideways and started coming loose. I dropped it as fast as I could but it was too late. The next thing I know is the tree caught the edge of my head and there was a loud metal ringing sound. The ROPS caught it. It just barely hit me. No dents or cracks in the ROPS at all, just a tiny smear of paint. Thank GOD for modern safety regs.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> Thank GOD for modern safety regs.</font>
You got that right. Some regs. I don't like, but that is one that I don't mess with.

 

[JimR]

Good thing you got a hard head too. Lucky dog, you lost one of your nine lives today.

 

[jinman]

Good story; good outcome; good ROPS! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Egon]

Thankfully there is another day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Just curious on how your bucket forks are configure?

Egon

 

[Hootie]

Man, in the blink of an eye!! Glad you are able to recall this close call.

 

[KennethBrown]

Egon- They are built from 4 X1.5 channel and slip over the bucket. I also have them bolted through the bucket. I use them for brush, trees, and round bales. I will be changing them soon to also have a top edge to prevent this from happening again.

 

[MajMac392]

Ken, it sounds like you had the Good Lord on your side maybe a little luck if there is such a thing. It is amazing how many things we do with a tractor that something can go very wrong and we could be at the least injured and the worst killed by it. I've seen one of the local Farm Equipment dealers had some sort of a Safety course he offered. I am surprised that tractor manufacturers don't provide a video or something else to show the operation and normal use of a tractor. The CUTs center of gravity on flat ground makes it very stable but as soon as hills, inclines, PTO equipment, or loaded loaders enter the mix the thing can become real squirrelly. I’m glad you lived to relay your story.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am surprised that tractor manufatuers don't provide a video.. )</font>
That is a good point. When I bought my JD lawn tractor I received a video in regards to operation and safety. I received no such information when I bought my 4115. Not that everyone would look at it but at least would have the option if it was available.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've had this happen with standing dead pine trees. I've pushed them with the front bucket, only to have the tree snap and the top half come falling down on top of the tractor.

With the dozer, I've tried to get under them and push from the roots, but those dead pines will still snap in the middle and come straight down on you, then fall any which way.

It's very, very scary taking them out!!!

I have a HUGE oak that is dead and falling apart. After every storm I go and see if it's fallen down yet. So far just branches are coming off. It's half rotted and ready to kill somebody and I'm to afraid to try to take it down myself. It's big enough to go right through the cage on my dozer!!

Glad to hear you got lucky on that tree. They are pretty scary when they do something you don't anticipate!!! Especially when they start falling on your head.

Eddie