Wheels up turn

rich_ncal · Jun 27, 2005

Things happen quickly on a slow moving tractor.

I was operating my Iseki TS1610 with rotary cutter today. While on an up hill section the front of the bush hog hit a stump. The tractor stop moving forward and the left wheel was spinning digging down into the dirt.

Thinking that if I lifted the cutter the tractor would free up from the stump and move forward, I lifted the cutter with the 3-point hitch.

Suddenly the font wheels lifted off the ground. The right wheel got traction with the left wheel down in the rut it had just dug. The tractor spun to the left quickly with the font wheels up. Pivoting sideways on the hill and the left side down in the rut created by the left wheel. It seemed if I was quickly heading to roll sideways on the hill.

I was lifting myself out of the seat and standing on the brake, getting ready for a quick exit.

Then the font came back down after about a 45degree spin and the tractor got moving up the hill again.

The whole incident happened quickly with a few seconds the font was up and then back down. The pucker factor was high.

I can see how someone can quickly get into big trouble.

RoyJackson · Jun 27, 2005

When you hit something that stops forward movement, you want to reverse and assess the problem. As you found out, raising the cutter isn't the answer...especially on a slope.

I hit a couple stumps today that stopped my forward travel. I just backed down and went around them.

aloha · Jun 27, 2005

( you want to reverse and assess the problem )

I suspect you did not intend to imply that you first go in reverse, then think about it. While reverse is almost always the safest route from a position of uncertainty, so long as all wheels are solidly on the ground it is a good practice to analyze the situation before acting.

RoyJackson · Jun 27, 2005

"you want to reverse and assess the problem"

I suspect you did not intend to imply that you first go in reverse, then think about it. While reverse is almost always the safest route from a position of uncertainty, so long as all wheels are solidly on the ground it is a good practice to analyze the situation before acting. )

Actually, I meant just what I wrote. The cutter, in my case, was jumping around excessively. You won't know what you hit until clearing the obstruction (either continuing forward, or reversing). I should add, when hitting something like that, I normally disengage the PTO and reverse. It the obstruction (stump, in this case) is something I'd rather not run over, I just go around it.

In the case of the original post, his tractor would not move forward and he raised his cutter. No mention of disengaging the PTO, by the way. Also, since he wrote he stood up, I'm assuming his tractor doesn't have a ROPS or seatbelt...or he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. If equipted with a ROPS and belt, the original poster should consider using them.

Since I have a few stumps on that field, I should just clear them out now that I have the brush cleared...actually, I should have done that last year.

Bottom line...if one hits an object that stops motion or stalls the tractor, raising the cutter with those blades rotating may not be the best option. Raising the cutter on a slope can, and did, make a situation worse.

I happened to be looking at some tractor mishap pictures yesterday. A couple of them were of a farmer that fell off his tractor(older machine...no ROPS or seatbelt) and was ran over by the rotary cutter. Not a nice sight...

riptides · Jun 27, 2005

( I was lifting myself out of the seat and standing on the brake, getting ready for a quick exit. )

I am not familiar with your set-up. Does your machine have a ROPS and seatbelt?

Good thing your ok.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rich_ncal · Jun 27, 2005

I like Roy's advise. Next time I will push in the clutch, hit the brake and figure out the problem.

Pushing in the clutch will take the power off the PTO. I do have an over running clutch.

I don't have a ROPS or seat belt. I have not found a source for a ROPS for the Iseki TS1610.

California · Jun 27, 2005

Rich, glad to hear you are ok.

Pretty much by definition, an 'accident' is where things got weird faster than the operator could respond correctly.

While I am a novice I think the best general-purpose response is to slap the throttle to zero.

Then sit there and plan what to do next.

Otherwise it's too easy to grab the wrong lever and make the situation worse.

Junkman · Jun 30, 2005

Wouldn't the best thing to do is to shut off the tractor engine ASAP?? That would eliminate any chance of unintended movement. Even if the tractor were to roll, at least he wouldn't get cut up by moving blades....