Unexpected Hydraulic Shower

[RMulkey]

I had a interesting but potentially dangerous event happen today with my box scraper. I was scraping in reverse with the 3ph all the way down and the box tilted all the way back/down in the rear using the TNT. It turns out the hoses connecting the hydraulic scarifiers were about 3" too short in overall reach.

The top fitting broke off and the weight of the ripper bar forced the hydraulic oil out the broken fitting, spraying about a quart of fluid straight up in the air in a fine mist. completely covered every inch of me and the tractor from the tip of the loader to the back of the box blade. Luckily I had just started for the day and the oil was barely warm. I hate to think how much this would have hurt if the oil was hot from several hours of box blade work. Luckily for me I just ruined a shirt and need to wash the tractor. You guys may want to check yours. I have about 310hours on the tractor and have used the BB for ~2years and never knew the hose was too short. Apparently this was the first time I tried to use the magic combination.

 

[patrickg]

RMulkey, And to think I was upset that the hoses that came with my box blade were so long and got in the way of the hydraulic mechanism. Was thinking of wanting shorter "neater" ones on next blate. NOW I think I will just find a way to attach a spring to hold the slack up out of the way. Sure don't want to repeat your experience. Glad you weren't hurt. Hydraulic oil under pressure can blind, kill, maim, hurt, or just in general ruin your whole day.

I popped an O-ring out on the FEL and got a display of what spraying hydraulic oil looked like. The scary part is that it might not be seen and if you put some part of your body in the spray it can slice it off like a baloney slicer. Hydraulic oil injection is a nasty wound, I'm told. Hope no one on TBN ever finds out.

Patrick

 

[mlmartin]

My JD 870's manual advises immediate surgical removal of injected hydraulic fluid. The danger appears to be gangrene. The manual also has a phone number for medical personnel to call if they are unfamiliar with the proper medical treatment for this very dangerous condition.

Matthew

Arab-Americans are Americans.

 

[banjobj]

Thanks for the important info. I never realized the potential for personal injury.

 

[patrickg]

Matthew, Thanks for your comment. For those of us driving a different color, could you post the number to call. I wan't to add it to my first aid info for quick ref.


This is not to pick on you personally Matthew. Your comment regardingn Arab-Americans was well intended and I agree with your sentiment but feel moved to carry the topic just a bit further.

Americans of Arabic descent (AKA Arab-Americans) like Afro-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, Martian-Americans or XYZ-Americans either maintain their differentness or have it maintained for them by "us" through their or our misplaced feelings of political correctness or whatever by our, I believe, wrongheaded labeling. To paraphrase that great philosopher, Rodney King, "Can't we all just be American?" I have no problem with folks wishing to observe special seasons or holidays linked to their heritage, especially if they share with "us" and let us participate. I have no problem with many cultural or religious holdovers from "the old country" (unless they are illegal in this country). (Oktoberfest is just around the corner, gotta get my Lederhosen und Liedertragen (SP?) to the cleaners)

Come to America to be American not to construct your own ghetto or miniature model of the country you leave. Learn the language of the land as best you can and foster its use with your children. Embrace the culture of the land that is adopting you and giving you a new start. We are all imigrants and children of imigrants (even those we refer to as "indian/native American" are just earlier arrivals but imagrants nevertheless) Together we are Americans. There is no problem with being proud of your origins but realize that was then and this is now. Be an American. Why not drop divisive labels and call an American, an American. Is not America "The Great Melting Pot?" Melt. Achieve equality.

Sorry, Matthew, I just had to say that. Thanks again for your post and please post the emergency medical number for info on hydraulic fluid injection. Truly hope no one on TBN needs it.

Patrick

 

[mlmartin]

Take a look at the attached scan. It's my bad that I referenced a telephone number, as it doesn't appear. Perhaps that's just as well as it could well have changed many times since that manual was printed.

To your other point, while I respect your opinion and I'm not trying to start a fight, this is a quotation of what I said to a similar response to that signature:

I grew up with Franco-Americans. I have gone to school with Arab-Americans, African-Americans, German-Americans, Spanish-Americans and Korean-Americans. I work with Chinese-Americans, Japanese-Americans and Korean-Americans. I have no problem with hyphenated Americans as I view them all as American as I am. I have too many heritages to hyphenate, but that doesn't make me any more or less an American that those who choose to hyphenate.

Any attack on any American, hyphenated or not, is an attack on all Americans.

And that is all I have to say about that.

Matthew

Arab-Americans are Americans

 

[patrickg]

Matthew, Thanks for the scan. Given the numbers of folks working around hydraulics in these parts, I'd be surprised if there aren't medicos with experience dealing with that kind of trauma.

Regarding hyphenated Americans. That is their right, if they want to maintain a certain degree of reservation regarding not becoming fully just plain American. They can, of course, still be fine folks too. I personally am of the persuasion that the hyphenation highlights differences rather than encouraging joining American society fully. All us imigrants have something to contribute to the net society. Hopefully more than petty divisiveness. I know not all hyphenated americans feel particularly aloof to the mainstream and often are referred to in the hyphenated manner by those among us trying to be politically correct. Lord knows I've tried to call the descendents of folks who came here from Africa by whatever was in vogue with them at the time and that has changed a few times I assure you. It isn't a fight that I was looking for, instead, understanding of how the XYZ-American labels aren't multiculturalism at its finest but shows fragmentation and reservation.

I personally feel that you don't lose your heritage just because you don't flaunt it. Being American is good. Our culture is definitely richer for having many of the more recent imigrants. It promotes a sort of hybrid vigor in the fabric of our society. Sharing the customs of their previous lands is a fine thing. I was just expressing my thoughts that hyphenation tends to sustain alienation and certainly lends itself to erroneous stereotyping. Maybe there are entire vistas out there that I have been blissfully ignorant of regarding all the positive concensus building and harmony promoting aspects of being a bunch of different hyphenated Americans instead of just being Americans who coincidently have different ethnic resumes.

Anyway, it isn't a crisis, just another small disruptive divisive influence. I for one want to be able to be Irish-American on St Pat's, German-American for Oktoberfest, Mexican-American for Cinco De Mayo, Asian-American for Chinese New Year, and anything else-American that is fun and adds to the kaleideoscope (SP?) of BACKGROUNDS that are represented in our fine land.

Season's Greetings to you and your's,

Patrick