Summertime Lightning & Tstorm Warning

[Haoleguy]

I'm just about to receive my first tractor as the summertime starts. I intend to wear ear protection. This is the time of the year when thunder and lightning hit the eastern seaboard. Normally I can hear it from a distance and with wind direction & sound can tell how quickly its approaching. My question is with ear protection on how do you folks normally catch an impending storm early? When I used to sail on Cayuga Lake in NY we used to carry a cheap radio to listen for static. Anybody got some tricks to pass along. I certainly will keep an eye to the sky. Any weather service warnings that can be sent to a mobile phone where you can have it on vibration to alert you? Thank you and thanks to all who add to the safety section of TBN.

 

[44trxfun]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any weather service warnings that can be sent to a mobile phone where you can have it on vibration to alert you?)</font>

Haoleguy, I haven't used it myself, but I thought the Weather Channel offered some service like this. Might be worth a look.

 

[RoyJackson]

I check the forecast online and the Weather Channel before the work. Then I watch the clouds...once they look threatening and the wind rises...it's time to head back to the corral. No need to get too high tech...common sense will prevail.

If you're using your tractor for your job (landscaper, for example)...well, then you need to get the maximum hours at work. But if you're a residential or hobby farm user, one doesn't need to work until the last minute. After all, tomorrow is another day.

 

[beenthere]

I don't think ear protection will impede your ability to detect an approaching storm. The low frequency of thunder will not be limited much by ear 'muff's and the lightning will be visible as usual. The wind will be as well.
I don't think there is any issue for you to worry about. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

(Not unless the 'ear protection' is playing loud hard rock music of which causes you to not hear anything outside the space between the 'muffs') /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto... even with mufs and light radio playing in the muffs, I can hear/feel engine vibrations, and deffinately thunder.. besides the fact that the skies get dark and the wet stuff starts falling! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

 

[bdog]

You guys must have some loud tractors to need ear protection. I wear rear protection when doing a lot of things such as shooting, cutting tin, grinding, etc but my tractor is quiet. Never really saw the need for it. Maybe I am wrong?

 

[beenthere]

Re: need of ear protection:
I didn't think that was being debated here, or being discussed. Maybe I missed something.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kn6md]

I bought a "StrikeAlert", which is a pager sized lightning detector, showing distance via LEDs (24-40, 12-24,6-12,0-6) in miles and storm direction (coming toward you or moving away) if interrigated. With the sound off, you of course have to look at it occasionally so you may want to clip it where you can see it as you work. Nice toy, and Google will get you there.
The battery door on mine is cheesy and I have to keep it together with a rubber band--low tech fix for an out of the box problem and they won't answer my e-mail, but at least the thing works great. I get out of the field when the 6-12 mile LED starts flashing, and the cell is moving toward me.

Regards,

Bill Vorhies

 

[Barton]

"I wear rear protection ..."

I occasionally need that for the times I mess up when I'm using the tractor and SWMBO is standing there watching. But I haven't found anything effective yet. Where did you buy yours? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Or did you build it yourself? If so, please post in the proper forum with pictures.

Heck, post pictures regardless!

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You guys must have some loud tractors to need ear protection )</font>

My tractor is sopposed to be about 89db at the operator platform.. however If you go by a building, the reflected sound goes way up.. also.. you can get some mower noise. Still.. even at 89db.. I work in a sound/ hearing related job.. and I need to protect my hearing as much as possible.. When I'm out ont he tractor I'm at pto rpm for hours at a time.

I'm guessing my Nh is a tad louder than your branson, just due to size.

Soundguy

 

[slowrev]

Haoleguy,
You mean you don't have an LPS on your tractor ?

I pretty much just head for the barn when I see the first flash. If caught out raise up any ground engaging implements and it should decrease your odds a bit of being struck by lightening. You would have just rubber between the tractor and the ground same as an auto.

Ben

 

[Haoleguy]

All - Thank you for the suggestions. I certainly will use common sense. A little more background.. This past week a landscaper working in town was struck by lightning by a fast moving storm late in the afternoon. Most were caught offguard and as a result that worker is in the hospital in critical condition after being revived. This is not unusual for the summer months. My home is ~ 30 minutes from the land I'm working so checking storms before does not provide significant meterological knowledge. I do like the idea of having an alert system to work with my senses. Thanks to those confirming that weather alert services are available.....Cheers

 

[bdog]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Re: need of ear protection:
I didn't think that was being debated here, or being discussed. Maybe I missed something. )</font>

I was just saying that my tractor is not that loud that it was painful to my ears. Sure maybe prolonged use may do some damage but if I was working and I thought I needed to be able to hear a storm approaching for fear of being struck by lightining I would definitely remove the ear plugs. Now if I was running a jackhammer or something I would keep the plugs on and if the storm got close enough I would go inside.

 

[johnday]

bdog; I know I'll hate myself in the morning, but are you saying also that you're smart enough to come in out of the rain? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Couldn't resist, sometimes I run completely amok! Must be one of those times. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif