Safety Tips

Soundguy · Feb 26, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- In a blink of an eye you are DEAD

My rotary cutter uses my standard tractor toplink, but does have a 4" swivel for play... and the top frame of the cutter is 4 sepperate metal bars... I'm fairly certain if my 1920 went over, if the cutter didn't sacrifice itself and outright stop my rollover, I am certain that it would delay it significantly.

there is quite a bit of metal on my cutter.. course my 1920 has a rops anyway.... but the 8n doesn't...( guess which one I cut with /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy

MossRoad · Feb 26, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- In a blink of an eye you are DEAD

I guess I should have been more specific. I use a standard top link to go from the tractor to the A frame on the brush hog. The side legs of the A frame are just bolted to the frame of the brush hog. There is a 1 foot length of chain connected to a steel strap that comes from the top of the A frame down to near where the rear tire of the brush hog connects. If this were not there, the brush hog couldn't float up and down at all. If the tractor were to go over backwards, the toplink would be fine, but the A frame would fold backwards and the chain/strap would just collapse. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif If I get a chance, I'll take a picture of it, because I've already spent my thousand words /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Soundguy · Feb 27, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- In a blink of an eye you are DEAD

Ahh.. I see hat you are saying. You cutter has a much different setup than mine. On mine, I've got the a-frame which attatches to a swivel ( ushaped 4" peice of metal ) that then attatches to my tractor toplink.... this is where my system gets its play.. ( this was a stock item on the cutter ).
On mine though, from the a-frame back are two solid struts.. no play there.

Soundguy

JohnMiller3 · May 15, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- Brush Hogging with hidden hazards

Case Report: 02NY023

Steep hidden bank of occurrence

“…On Tuesday, April 16th, 2002, a 72-year-old part-time farmer died as a result of a tractor overturn. The victim had been brush-hogging the outer edge of a pasture when the tractor was driven onto an embankment that gave way, causing the tractor to roll over. The tractor rolled down the embankment, crushing the operator during the initial 180 degrees of rolling. His brother, who heard the crashing sound of the tractor rolling down the embankment, discovered the victim soon after and had someone call the emergency squad, which responded within minutes. The county coroner was called and pronounced the victim dead at the scene… “

“…The victim had been involved in agricultural work his entire life…

…As he turned to the right, the right side of his tractor came dangerously close to a thirty-five foot drop embankment that descended at a 75 degree angle…

…There was no rollover protective structure on the tractor…

…Upon overturn and contact with the ground, the operator's chest and back were crushed between the fender of the tractor and the ground…”

The rest of the tragic story…

19th_VA · May 15, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- Brush Hogging with hidden hazards

Thanks for sharing these JMIII. Though tragic, they make us all think about how much we value our own lives, and those who we love. Amazingly, I still read regularly about why people don't buckle up and leave the ROPS up. It CAN happen to you.

agcomike · May 22, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- Brush Hogging with hidden hazards

I was wondering if anyone had some ideas on a piece of land i have to mow..

It's probaly in the 20-30 degree area you can't mow side ways.. the problem is it dead ends at the top by a fence and trees. making it difficult to turn around and go back down without having the tractor on a good bit of angle..

I've leveled a area about 8' at top to a lessen the angle but anyone have some ideas on mowing this area more safely?

Bird · May 22, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- Brush Hogging with hidden hazards

I don't know how big an area you're talking about mowing, but I mowed tank dams by backing up the slope, coming down forward, back up again, etc. without ever turning the tractor around. That worked fine for me, but might be pretty slow if you're talking about a large area to mow.

JerryG · May 22, 2003

Re: Safety Tips- Brush Hogging with hidden hazards

I do just what Bird does. Back up then cut on the way down. You can cut a lot steeper bank by doing it this way and it's a lot safer. Don't take a chance, if it is to steep to turn around on don't. It's not worth it.

JohnMiller3 · May 23, 2003

Re: Safety Tips-Tractor/PTO Safety Quiz

Tractor/PTO Safety Quiz

1. Most rollovers occur to the rear rather than to the side or front?
True or False?
True
False

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2. Rollover protection devices are interchangeable and can be fabricated by any farm shop.
True or false?
True
False

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3. Which of the following are factors in tractor rollovers?
A. speed on level ground
B. hydraulic fluid levels
C. direction of PTO rotation
D. all of the above

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4.Which of the following is effective in preventing PTO injuries?
A. shutting off the PTO before making adjustments
B. wearing tight fitting clothing while working around the PTO
C. walking around the implement rather than stepping over the PTO
D. all of the above

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5.Which of the following is not important in preventing tractor overturns?
A. use of ROPs and a seatbelt
B. driving at slow speeds while cornering or on rough ground
C. avoiding steep hills
D. all of the above

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6.You are driving a tractor on a paved highway. When you turn around to look at the disc you are pulling you inadvertently steer the tractor to the right. The tractor goes off the right edge of the pavement and starts down the steep ditch. You should:
A. hit the brakes and stop as rapidly as possible
B. steer quickly to the left to get back onto the road
C. slow the engine down and steer towards the bottom of the ditch

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7. When mounted on a tractor, a front end loader will move the tractor's center of gravity forward. This will:
A. make the tractor more likely to roll over sideways
B. make the tractor less likely to tip over backwards
C. both A and B

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8. The following practices can help to prevent over the road accidents:
A. lock brakes together when driving at transport speeds
B. post and SMV emblem on the tractor and implement
C. shift to a lower gear when going down a hill
D. all of the above

Tractor/PTO Safety Quiz-scored...

Detailed Answers to Tractor Quiz…

Tractor Safety Powerpoint Presentation