What is the dumbest thing you have done with your equipment ?

[MHarryE]

Hard to pick a dumbest but most costly - had the loader off my Kubota M135GX and needed to re-install - except the supports had sunk into dirt (detached the loader out of the way in non-solid fitting). Close to the proper location, got the hoses connected and began working with the loader trying to get it high enough to go into its sockets by tilting the bucket every way possible. I didn't pay attention to how weird I had it positioned when I finally thought I had it high enough - then drove forward. Both sides of the loader popped over the tractor attaching points and came shooting through the cab windshield. Fortunately my legs were inside the loader arms or they could have been crushed. The loader arms ended up along side my legs everything was covered with shattered tempered glass. It was then I realized tractor windshields have tempered glass, not safety glass like car windshields. Installed the new 3 pieces of glass myself. Auto glass company quoted $700 to replace which I thought was steep. My insurance company paid me for the installation quote knowing I did it myself, so less my $100 deductible for glass coverage, I came out ahead money wise but lost several years of my life with the glass falling on my arms, lap, head, and everywhere around.

 

[jacspath]

The dumbest thing I think I [still] do is try to forget my dumb mistakes. I can think of at least 4 of them that I have managed to repeat in 40 years of 'tractoring'.

 

[kenmbz]

One day decided to take a shortcut to get between fields to mow, using my lawn tractor.

So chugging down the trail, lots of leafs covering and went left (my first time driving this).

The right side went down slope to the lower field
The left side went to an eroded 2 foot high ledge, filled with leaves.

Had to go get the tractor and chain lift the lawn tractor off the ledge.

I did not save any time.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

When a young teen, I had a Beaver brand garden tractor--big Wisconson engine, tiller steering, one speed (slow) forward and one (even slower) reversed. The forward/reverse was a treddle, which would lock in the forward gear. I hooked a piece of old equipment that was many years grown under the grass and tried to pull it out. Problem is, I connected at a point too high on the tractor. When the load didn't move the wheels kept on going, dropping the tractor over on top of me. No damage to the machine, only minor damage to me. Lesson well learned.

 

[JWR]

lent some to a neighbour: new neighbour came over and asked to borrow some equipment he sees me use regularly. I lent it too him even though I really didn't know him. But I am just that kind of guy.

He broke it. When returning it he complained about my stuff being "old" and was "****" and he almost hurt himself using it and could sue me. Never offered to cover repair and I never asked. We haven't talked since and that doesn't bother me at all.

aside: I too am "old" but don't consider myself "****" or junk or worthless just in need of a little more care and attention when in use. Like much of my equipment.

moral: I will come over and help with my equipment for free but will never lend out for others to use/abuse.

Sometimes asshjoles are easier to identify than others. The sooner you know who is who, the better for dealing with them in the future. That is unacceptable selfish behavior to be charitable.

 

[dzoller]

... then I changed my drawers.

This is how all the best storied end!

 

[HighTwelve]

Backing up my F250 with the dump trailer attached in heavy snow. Put the truck in 4WD and gunned the motor. Unbeknownst to me there was sheet ice under the snow. Jackknifed the truck and trailer, and smashed the battery box and spare tire mount on the trailer.

Overloaded the tote box on the 3 point hitch on my restored 1940 Ford 9N. Usually the tractor stays garaged but the Kubota wasn’t available. I had forgotten how front-end-light an N tractor is. Going up a small hill the firewood shifted back and suddenly I had the front end three feet in the air. Turned the key off and DELICATELY removed firewood until the front end slammed down to the ground.

 

[tjus77]

lent some to a neighbour: new neighbour came over and asked to borrow some equipment he sees me use regularly. I lent it too him even though I really didn't know him. But I am just that kind of guy.

He broke it. When returning it he complained about my stuff being "old" and was "****" and he almost hurt himself using it and could sue me. Never offered to cover repair and I never asked. We haven't talked since and that doesn't bother me at all.

aside: I too am "old" but don't consider myself "****" or junk or worthless just in need of a little more care and attention when in use. Like much of my equipment.

moral: I will come over and help with my equipment for free but will never lend out for others to use/abuse.

That is what I tell people. I’ll come over and do the tractor work, because I will feel better if I break it, rather than you.

 

[JWR]

There are so many ... When I was 15 I had made a hay wagon in shop class and was pulling it (loaded with 120 square bales) up a steep slope with a 1954 Massey Harris Pacer. Had already overrode the governor to get more rpm out of the engine. About halfway up the slope I could see and smell smoke. It was the clutch burning from a load it was never intended to handle! Wide open in low gear. Made it to the top and let the thing cool before going to the barn. Some things to consider:
1) The old tractor had mechanical brakes that were nearly useless when brand new. No way to hold it against the hill that's for sure.
2) There was no backup plan. I either made it to the top or disaster. At age 15 who thinks things out? If it had failed to make the grade I would have been forced to jump as it went backwards at horrendous speed and done major damage to the wagon, the tractor and all of it (that is if I survived by jumping.)
Most of my dumbest incidents were on that tractor...

 

[tractortrash]

Was trimming a tree limb near a barn, standing in the loader bucket with my wife operating the tractor. Limb had a branch I hadn't taken into account, and it fell on a power line breaking the line. Caught the pasture on fire near the hay barn. It was a very hot day and I nearly passed out running around with a shovel until the fire department arrived. Count this as a victory as I am alive to tell the tale, and the tractor and barn weren't consumed by fire. I guess our utility bill covers tree trimming along their easement.