Two injured seriously by farm tractor

[msb1766]

CLAVERACK (WRGB) Two men from Claverack are in critical condition after being rolled over by a farm tractor.

That's the report from Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett, after deputies and multiple fire and rescue crews were called out at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The sheriff's office, Greenport Police Department, Greenport Fire Department, and Greenport Rescue Squad all responded to the Jutofsky Farm on Route 23B for a report of two men seriously injured by a farm tractor.

Deputies found that Bernard Jutkofsky, 86, was operating an International Harvester 1066 farm tractor, towing a brush hog used for mowing fields. Jutkofsky had briefly stopped mowing, shut off the tractor, and stepped out of the cab. When he went to re-start the tractor, he did so from the ground, next to the engine. According to the sheriff's office, the tractor was still in gear, and when it started, Jutkofsky was run over by the rear tire. In addition, his son, Jay Jutkofsky, 48, was standing next to the tractor, and was also run over when it started.
Lifenet airlifted Bernard Jutkofsky to Albany Medical Center. Greenport Rescue transported Jay Jutkofsky to Columbia Memorial Hospital, from which he was later airlifted to Albany Medical Center.

Both are listed in critical but stable condition, with internal injuries.

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks for posting and sad to hear. Maybe the seat switch on newer machines isnt such a terrible thing? It is annoying, but better than getting run over.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for posting and sad to hear. Maybe the seat switch on newer machines isnt such a terrible thing? It is annoying, but better than getting run over.

Yeah, that is why they put them on there. Because there is someone always doing something they should have better sense than to do.

 

[wheelbuilder]

It's been a tough month for that area. I hope they have a speedy recovery.

 

[jgedmond]

A neutral safety switch would have been enough to prevent this accident. Probably no PTO safety switch either, lucky they didn't get mowed over.

 

[RickB]

It's been a tough month for that area. I hope they have a speedy recovery.

It has. Not 15 miles from a recent tractor fatality. Both incidents involving the same brand and model tractor.

 

[RandyT]

A neutral safety switch would have been enough to prevent this accident. Probably no PTO safety switch either, lucky they didn't get mowed over.

I suspect the farmer screwdriver jumped the starter solenoid terminals to start the tractor, and no safety switch would of prevented it.

 

[RickB]

I suspect the farmer screwdriver jumped the starter solenoid terminals to start the tractor, and no safety switch would of prevented it.

It a properly maintained tractor would not have required bypass starting. A tragic result of poor maintenance.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Ag tractors don't have a seat switch.

Many guys start their tractors that way. Not a problem if you pay attention. Maybe not a great idea for an 86 year old.

 

[5030]

Ag tractors don't have a seat switch.

Many guys start their tractors that way. Not a problem if you pay attention. Maybe not a great idea for an 86 year old.

Exactly. Neither of my Kubota's do. Reason being is that at times you want to run the PTO when you aren't in the seat. Example would be powering a grain leg.

Common sense is supposed to prevail. Sadly, common sense takes a backseat often.

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm surprised that the battery was able to start it while in gear.

 

[k0ua]

I'm surprised that the battery was able to start it while in gear.

OH, trust me, they will start the engine while in gear, AND will move the tractor at the same time. There is a lot of torque in a starter motor.

 

[Jstpssng]

I know that a gas engine will with no problem, yet my old 275 would just click if I had it in gear, no matter what I put in it for a battery.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Carelessness... This is what happens when we become complacent about our machinery. I hope they recover quickly, they are very lucky to be alive.

 

[DK35vince]

I know that a gas engine will with no problem, yet my old 275 would just click if I had it in gear, no matter what I put in it for a battery.

Gas or diesel, doesn't matter.
The starter will move and start the engine in gear

 

[deserteagle71]

I have an ancient John Deere 2020. It CANNOT be started unless the transmission is in Park. I think that International 1066 was about the same vintage; I'm thinking someone disabled the safety feature!

 

[shooterdon]

I see so many that ignore safety. Two of the guys at deer camp calls me a ***** because I do not do stupid things they think are "normal". But being "normal" is only good if "normal" is safe. Example, we had crap wrapped around the tiller and one guy crawled under it to cut it out with the tractor running. I went to help and turned off the tractor. He looked up and wondered what I was doing. Told him I would unravel the other side but not if the tractor was running. I got "that look".

Both were over this weekend to sight in rifles. They do not open the bolts when going downrange to change/check targets...but I make them do to. They know better than to say anything about that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

And because of guys like that, the rest of us have to suffer with and pay for all kinds of safety equipment.

Like someone correctly stated. Shorting the starter at the starter, bypasses ANY OEM safety systems.

Amazing how much misinformation exists on the Internet.

 

[jgedmond]

Ag tractors don't have a seat switch.

Many guys start their tractors that way. Not a problem if you pay attention. Maybe not a great idea for an 86 year old.

In my previous post, I was not referring to a seat switch. My Mahindra has a switch at the shuttle lever to detect neutral and a switch at the PTO lever to detect the off position. It can't start if either is in the wrong position. Once started you can leave the seat regardless of the shuttle and PTO levers positions.

Sounds like "many guys" should learn a safer way to start their tractors.

 

[Industrial Toys]

No, you still don't understand. Shorting the starter at the starter basically connects the solenoid right to the battery. The starter is already, always connected to the battery.

Amazing how so many people think that an 86 year old is going to recover and get better.