Terrible tiller accident, shut off your pto folks
- Thread starter slowzuki
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slowzuki
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2003
- Messages
- 4,100
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Tractor
- Kubota L5030 HSTC, MF 5455, Kubota M120, Allis Chalmers 7010
Knowing that model of Kubota, the driver could have immediately stopped the pto by stepping on the clutch even if he didn't think to turn off the pto.
I had a chat with someone about the pto shields tonight. I don't own anything with a long open pto shaft except my baler which has a big flywheel and shakes all over the place while running reminding you of the danger. The rest are on equipment you don't go around while its running or you can't get into the pto without trying so I tend to leave the little non rotate chain off. At least the cover is smooth and less likely to catch.
I can see where running a grain auger for hours, you could get very complacent with that open long shaft humming along working next to it. I can also see the same thing with a post hole digger as there is usually someone nearby setting posts.
Unfortunately its not always practical on a farm to shut off the tractor for everything you do near the arse end, for example the rear 3ph switches don't work on my MF without the tractor running, the grain auger example is another, manure pumping is another where there isn't an operator in the cab always.
Just try your best to think about your own safety and the safety of those around you. Don't let people stand around watching you bushhog or use a disc mower. Don't let people approach pto powered equipment. Teach others working around you what the risks are.
I had a chat with someone about the pto shields tonight. I don't own anything with a long open pto shaft except my baler which has a big flywheel and shakes all over the place while running reminding you of the danger. The rest are on equipment you don't go around while its running or you can't get into the pto without trying so I tend to leave the little non rotate chain off. At least the cover is smooth and less likely to catch.
I can see where running a grain auger for hours, you could get very complacent with that open long shaft humming along working next to it. I can also see the same thing with a post hole digger as there is usually someone nearby setting posts.
Unfortunately its not always practical on a farm to shut off the tractor for everything you do near the arse end, for example the rear 3ph switches don't work on my MF without the tractor running, the grain auger example is another, manure pumping is another where there isn't an operator in the cab always.
Just try your best to think about your own safety and the safety of those around you. Don't let people stand around watching you bushhog or use a disc mower. Don't let people approach pto powered equipment. Teach others working around you what the risks are.
Qapla
Veteran Member
I agree, this is sad and avoidable. A tiller is one of those devices that could be classified as "an accident waiting to happen" just because it does what it does so well.
A machine that breaks up ground with plants and rocks and chews it up before dropping it back down is no place to be putting any part of your body without knowing for sure it is off.
Now ... about this comment ...
If the tractor was off, he could not lift the tiller.
The PTO should have been off before lifting the tiller or at least the clutch should have been pressed, but the tractor would have to be on to lift the tiller to free the obstruction.
It could/should have been shut off after lifting and before clearing.
Then again, I guess he could have shut it down, stated that something was jammed, turned off the PTO, cranked the tractor back up, raised the tiller, shut it back down and cleared the jam.
Hindsight is always soooooooo good.
Lesson for the rest of us ...
A machine that breaks up ground with plants and rocks and chews it up before dropping it back down is no place to be putting any part of your body without knowing for sure it is off.
Now ... about this comment ...
If the tractor was off, he could not lift the tiller.
The PTO should have been off before lifting the tiller or at least the clutch should have been pressed, but the tractor would have to be on to lift the tiller to free the obstruction.
It could/should have been shut off after lifting and before clearing.
Then again, I guess he could have shut it down, stated that something was jammed, turned off the PTO, cranked the tractor back up, raised the tiller, shut it back down and cleared the jam.
Hindsight is always soooooooo good.
Lesson for the rest of us ...
jml755
Silver Member
"If the tractor was off, he could not lift the tiller. "
You're right but I still would shut everything down at the first hint of a problem. Sitting in the tractor seat, it's hard to see what the problem is and I wouldn't take the chance of lifting a piece of equipment until I've analyzed the situation. I don't own a tiller but when I've jammed 3pt ph diggers in the ground, I approach them with caution AND the PTO AND tractor shut down. There's still a lot of built up potential energy in them even with stuff off. I've taken a shear bolt out of the auger while it's stuck and had the frame and gearbox "jump". I've got a long pry bar that I try and use instead of putting my body parts in harms way.
That being said, accidents DO happen and I'm sure we're all faced with "new" situations that we haven't seen before that have potentially dangerous consequences. As you indicated, "hindsight is 20/20". The key, IMO, is to analyze it best you can to foresee any possible dangers of your next action. Not only does that pertain to tractors, it relates to chainsaws, car repairs, house repairs, backing your car out of the drive, etc. I do a lot of work on my cars and crawling underneath one still scares me, which I believe is a good thing because it makes me safety-conscious.
Just last winter, at a barn where I was doing some work, I fell backward stepping off of a stepladder because I was hurrying and forgot I was on the SECOND step and not the BOTTOM one. That extra foot of unanticipated "air" landed me hard against a wall where there was a nail sticking out a few inches from where the back of my head slammed into it. How do you prevent that? Well, for one thing, I've taken to pulling nails out of boards when I see them exposed, whether they're on a wall or laying on the ground or whatever. Even if the next stop for the board is a dumpster, I'm either removing the nail or bending it over.
You're right but I still would shut everything down at the first hint of a problem. Sitting in the tractor seat, it's hard to see what the problem is and I wouldn't take the chance of lifting a piece of equipment until I've analyzed the situation. I don't own a tiller but when I've jammed 3pt ph diggers in the ground, I approach them with caution AND the PTO AND tractor shut down. There's still a lot of built up potential energy in them even with stuff off. I've taken a shear bolt out of the auger while it's stuck and had the frame and gearbox "jump". I've got a long pry bar that I try and use instead of putting my body parts in harms way.
That being said, accidents DO happen and I'm sure we're all faced with "new" situations that we haven't seen before that have potentially dangerous consequences. As you indicated, "hindsight is 20/20". The key, IMO, is to analyze it best you can to foresee any possible dangers of your next action. Not only does that pertain to tractors, it relates to chainsaws, car repairs, house repairs, backing your car out of the drive, etc. I do a lot of work on my cars and crawling underneath one still scares me, which I believe is a good thing because it makes me safety-conscious.
Just last winter, at a barn where I was doing some work, I fell backward stepping off of a stepladder because I was hurrying and forgot I was on the SECOND step and not the BOTTOM one. That extra foot of unanticipated "air" landed me hard against a wall where there was a nail sticking out a few inches from where the back of my head slammed into it. How do you prevent that? Well, for one thing, I've taken to pulling nails out of boards when I see them exposed, whether they're on a wall or laying on the ground or whatever. Even if the next stop for the board is a dumpster, I'm either removing the nail or bending it over.
Unfortunately, recognizing a hazard is something that is learned by experience and/or training. We all learn by stupid mistakes that we make, or observe.
This accident was probably the result of a momentary lack of judgement, and that is all.
This accident was probably the result of a momentary lack of judgement, and that is all.
