beowulf
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2003
- Messages
- 1,176
- Location
- Central California Foothills
- Tractor
- Kubota L3410 HST, J Deere riding mower
Well, as this happened to my brother two days ago, I have the details. I didn't say I understand it - just that I have a first-hand report on how it happened - we think. This may have to be a bit long.
My brother - in another state - bought a used Ford 4N 1954 vintage tractor for $2,500. He says it was sort of cobbled together and that this was the second time he used it. Short version: He ran himself over with his tractor.
Long version: He had loaded some iron I beams on the front loader forks. The tractor ran out of gas in the field. He filled the tank. He thought it was in neutral. Then, standing on the side of the tractor, and directly in front of one of the rear tires, he reached in and pulled the throttle. The tractor "took off like a rocket" pulling him under. One rear wheel ran over his legs, the other over his chest. The tractor then continued for about 1-2 blocks until it hit a tree and died.
He crawled back to his car, pulled himself in and got to the house, shouted for his wife, and she took him to the hospital. Broken leg, messed up ankle, severely bruised from the ankle to the shoulder, hard to breathe for 2 days, extreme pain - really extreme - especially when they had to twist his leg into position for X-rays. Stint and bolts in leg (planned) and in a boot now. Out of ICU today and sent to rehab.
The rest: He admits he was not familiar with the tractor. He said that when he pulled the throttle the tractor started and took off - like that was also the starter - his last old tractor had a button you pushed to start it. He doesn't know if this was modified or was the way it is supposed to work. We have no idea how it could start in third gear.
The mistakes - he acknowledges: Not being familiar with the tractor. Not making sure it was in neutral. Pulling the throttle while standing in front of a rear wheel.
He thinks what somewhat saved him from dying was: 1) there was a lot of weight on the front forks thus pulling some of the weight off the rear wheels; 2) the tractor took off at a fast speed thus the rear wheels went over him quickly; 3) he did not have any implements on the rear (which he usually does) and so was not caught and dragged along.
He still has his sense of humor: He said he will likely miss his grandkids graduation which is a good thing as they won't be continually asked "So how did your granddad run himself over with his tractor?"
He is usually a very safe guy. Very, very lucky. Not sure we understand exactly how this - mechanically - happened. But it did. Maybe it is time to re-familiarize myself with my own equipment - we can all get too comfortable.
My brother - in another state - bought a used Ford 4N 1954 vintage tractor for $2,500. He says it was sort of cobbled together and that this was the second time he used it. Short version: He ran himself over with his tractor.
Long version: He had loaded some iron I beams on the front loader forks. The tractor ran out of gas in the field. He filled the tank. He thought it was in neutral. Then, standing on the side of the tractor, and directly in front of one of the rear tires, he reached in and pulled the throttle. The tractor "took off like a rocket" pulling him under. One rear wheel ran over his legs, the other over his chest. The tractor then continued for about 1-2 blocks until it hit a tree and died.
He crawled back to his car, pulled himself in and got to the house, shouted for his wife, and she took him to the hospital. Broken leg, messed up ankle, severely bruised from the ankle to the shoulder, hard to breathe for 2 days, extreme pain - really extreme - especially when they had to twist his leg into position for X-rays. Stint and bolts in leg (planned) and in a boot now. Out of ICU today and sent to rehab.
The rest: He admits he was not familiar with the tractor. He said that when he pulled the throttle the tractor started and took off - like that was also the starter - his last old tractor had a button you pushed to start it. He doesn't know if this was modified or was the way it is supposed to work. We have no idea how it could start in third gear.
The mistakes - he acknowledges: Not being familiar with the tractor. Not making sure it was in neutral. Pulling the throttle while standing in front of a rear wheel.
He thinks what somewhat saved him from dying was: 1) there was a lot of weight on the front forks thus pulling some of the weight off the rear wheels; 2) the tractor took off at a fast speed thus the rear wheels went over him quickly; 3) he did not have any implements on the rear (which he usually does) and so was not caught and dragged along.
He still has his sense of humor: He said he will likely miss his grandkids graduation which is a good thing as they won't be continually asked "So how did your granddad run himself over with his tractor?"
He is usually a very safe guy. Very, very lucky. Not sure we understand exactly how this - mechanically - happened. But it did. Maybe it is time to re-familiarize myself with my own equipment - we can all get too comfortable.
