Why are so many tractor fatalities senior citizens?

tallyho8 · May 9, 2009

It seems like 90% of tractor fatalities I read about are senior citizens. Becoming a senior citizen lately, this worries me.

Is it just because most farmers and tractor operators are older nowdays with younger people seeking other vocations?

Or is it because we get careless as we age and too much experience gives us a false sense of security?

whistlepig · May 9, 2009

I have worked in manufacturing with metal cutting and forming tools for about 39 years now. 100 HP cutting machines they are. These are not even close to the dangers of working around tractors, the attachments, and working alone. Tractors and the equipment they run scare me a bit. And I hope I stay scared forever. I still take a few seconds and double check my hook up. Not the time to be in a hurry. I'm not a young pup myself. I think age can take the edge off of some. Can't let that happen.

JB4310 · May 9, 2009

First thing that comes to mind is slower reflexes,
but it's probably also due to repeated routine leading to carelessness, lack of fear/respect of the danger.

There was just a thread today about an older guy getting run over and killed and the tractor just kept going right through the barn door and out through a field before coming to a stop!

I have a 95 year old friend who is on his tractor every single day, he kinda uses it as his power chair to help him get around, but he still does tasks and chores with it. I worry about him but he is very methodical and slow, he is probably at greater risk climbing on and off it. He parks outside also, seems most of those fatal accidents occur in barns in tight quarters, be careful indoors getting between tractor and immobile objects

JB.

chh · May 10, 2009

I read an article on that awhile back. There seem to be quite a few factors of which I can't remember

all of them but a few where:
Slower reflexes
Older tractor(no ROPS)
carelessness/ inattention
Heat

One of the big recommendations if "Dad" was working in a family operation(haying for example) put him on the safest tractor(ROPS), perferably in a cab to prevent heat stress with can lead to carelessness. One of the conclusions in the article was that "Dad" wanted to run his old tractor that he was used to(which sounds good)but that the lack of safety equipment and old age did not mix very well.

My father ran a tractor well up into his late 80's. He was at the point reaction time wise that he was actually dangerous mowing hay and generally ended up breaking something. To say he was stubborn about quitting was an understatement. When my wife and I got married she was new to the farm life and loved running a tractor(still does)

. Dad showed up one day to help and she was raking on "his" tractor. He dropped off the rolls of twine, asked me if I needed anything else and then went home.

I occasionaly remind her that she kicked him off the tractor and ran him off.

I will say that she was probably the only person on earth that he would have let get away with that.

I would not doubt that it did really help him live several more years.