Let's say you are picking up something and need to chain it. The FEL is 1/2" too low for the chain to reach. Get on the tractor, start the engine, raise the FEL. Get off, now it's fine on the one side. Other side is too low. Get on the tractor, start the engine, raise the FEL 1". Get off, attach chain. Hmmm, will it swing and hit the tractor? Get on the tractor start the engine, raise it up 2', get off and go look. OK. Get on the tractor, start the engine move to where you want to go. Hmm, will I get out of the barn door? better look, get off the tractor, no - needs to be raised up a bit, get on the tractor, start the engine raise it up 18", get off the tractor to check. Still too low, get on the tractor start the engine, raise it up 3", get off the tractor check. OK. Get on the tractor, start the engine move out. Get where you're going align the load. Slowly lower it, get off the tractor to check. Start the engine, raise it up a bit, back up some, lower it down, get off to check. Get back on, start the engine lower it the rest of the way. Get off the tractor, try to take off the chains, pinned. Get on the tractor, start the engine, raise the FEL slightly. Get off the tractor, put a branch under. Get on the tractor, start the engine, lower the FEL. Get off the tractor, take off one chain, other side too tight, need to curl the bucket. Get on the tractor, start the engine, curl the bucket. Get off the tractor, take off the chain, get back on the tractor and collapse from exhaustion after what would have taken 1/10th the time by just moving the FEL lever from the ground...
Thankfully, my tractors were manufactured before paranoid lawyers were in charge of all aspects of life and none have this "safety" feature.
If you feel you (generic "you" only, not directed to poster) need a nanny to nag you to be safe, fine. Why not add a few more, like a seat belt interlock tied to the ROPS? Or 5 air bags (from steering wheel, fenders, behind the seat and from the ROPS going down) to cradle you should you roll? Flashing lights? 100 db reverse siren? Where does it stop? After it's determined that you need a yearly proficiency test to operate a tractor? Additional tests for each attachment? Breathalyzer tied to the ignition? Blood tests for drugs that may cause drowsiness tied to the ignition? Those were in jest, but if you asked a farmer in 1958 if tractors should have all the safety deals on them, he would think it funny. If the nanny state continues who knows what tractors will look like in 2058 or even if we will be allowed to own/operate them at all! And, I can make a pretty good argument that nearly all accidents are in some way related to operator error. Inattention being the big one. Maybe from lack of sleep, having some prescription med, recreational meds, a couple beers or even from using a cell phone!
Sorry for being a twit and posting a long winded diatribe on this, but it the growing nanny state gets my goat!
j (grumpy this morning) b
