WHAT?

Indydirtfarmer · May 19, 2005

I'm quite sure I've read this on here before, but let's re-hash old territory, and maybe open up a few NEW thoughts...

Who uses, and WHAT do you use for hearing protection while running your tractor?

I spent 8 hours bush hogging yesterday afternoon/last night. In the past, I tried to "tough it out", and go "natural" with no ear protection.

My son bought me a set of Bose headphones. Now I'm "rockin' to the oldies" while mowing, and LO AND BEHOLD..... This morning, NO RINGING IN MY EARS...

(YEP! I'm kinda slow on the personal protection thing sometimes....)

The novel part of the whole thing....? The Bose headphones sound so good, I'm going to be wearing them EVEN WHEN I'M IN THE CAB TRACTORS.... They're MUCH better quality sound than the tractors "stereo system"....

Thoughts....? Idea's??????

GregJ · May 19, 2005

I just bought the AO "worktunes" headset about a month ago. I have always worn ear protection, but I missed listening to our Mariners ....(especially when they beat NY /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, like last night /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) while on my tractor or mower. They are fantastic. They are better ear protection than the simple muffs I was wearing before and I can easily listen to something while I work. I am sure they were a LOT cheaper than your BOSE... and probably nowhere near the sound quality, but they work for me and were less than $50 at HD.

Greg

tjkadar · May 19, 2005

I use a set of reusable earplugs whenever I'm operating any noisy machinery, tractor, mower, chainsaw, or flying. Heck, I wear them when I ride a motorcycle or if I'm going on the freeway with the top down on a convertible.

If I want some music while using the mower or tractor, I put on a set of sealed headphones over the earplugs. Together, they cut out a lot of the noise and allow me to hear the radio or recordings. The sound is a bit muffled, but not badly. It cuts out the noise I don't want to hear and allows me to hear the noise I want to.

slowrev · May 19, 2005

I don't wear any hearing protection while using my tractor, and have no ringing in ears or anything like that. My tractor is not too loud. I also need to hear the noises when running my tractor to make sure everything is working ok.
I do wear earplugs when running chainsaw, weedeaters, welding grinder, etc.
Ben

GeneD14 · May 19, 2005

Years ago I used Radio Shack AM/FM headphones while mowing. As I would change directions or go behind a large building the station would fade out.
My Allis D14 originally had a round exhaust and I replaced it with an oval muffler and it quieted down dramatically. It wasn't original but it was practical. Most of the time I now use the Kubota with a nice quiet cab.
I am curious about those new Bose headphones though. They have been advertising them alot lately around here.

tc35dforme · May 19, 2005

I also need to hear the noises when running my tractor to make sure everything is working ok.


This may sound weird, but I find when mowing, I get better sound discrimination with muffs on. The hearing protectors ( muff style ) seem to be excellent at reducing the lower frequency drone and not so good at the higher frequency sounds. The occasional tick or chunk of the mower hitting debris is quite easy to pick out from the regular muffled sounds. You also still have good sound input from the engine, although much muffled. Its easy to hear something odd.

I find that the mowing is much more relaxing with sound protection. Just my $.03 ( inflation /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Freds · May 19, 2005

After being a tinknocker for 28 years, I always have ringing in my ears and tractorin' never affected things one way or the other. I imagine now though I'll be listening to my satellite radio with noise cancelling headphones (see Related Topics).
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · May 19, 2005

( I tried to "tough it out", and go "natural" with no ear protection. )

That's what I always did, too. Of course, I've had tinnitus for over 25 years and been wearing two hearing aids for 13 years. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif So, if you've still got good hearing, you sure might want to consider taking care of it.

LarryD · May 19, 2005

My tractor is not too loud. 

slowrev, if someone standing about 3' away has to raise their voice to be heard while your machine is at operating rpm's, then you're probably damaging your hearing.

beenthere · May 19, 2005

I just use the yellow foam plugs (I cut the 1" ones into two, and find they are less annoying and stay put) when mowing and long hours tractoring. My Deere 4300 is not objectionable, and usually do not wear anything unless brush hogging.

For me, it cuts the high frequency, and the low frequency noise still transmits through the body, if nothing else. I prefer to hear the sound of the machine I am running, for any tell-tale change that means something isn't quite right.

At 66, still have good hearing, fortunately. That Baltimore Oriole bird I heard chirrping last evening in the woods made me appreciate the hearing I do have.
My wife may wonder if I can hear at all, but I try to avoid saying 'what' when she speaks, and I mumble when I speak, so she is the one to ask 'what?'. Dat's mean. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif