Would you feel comfortable operating this skid steer???

[Soundguy]

Guess that must make it ok and right to use then?

he answered the question as would he feel ok using it.


everyone has a different tolerance and experience level.

I've worekd on plenty of heavy and ag equipment from the 40's that osha would have a heart attack if they saw

anyone ever seen chain drive loaders?

how about the original brush mowers that were merely fixed blades bolted to a 90' angle pto belt pulley, mounted down.

no guards.. no deck. just a spinning 3' blade behind the tractor... fall off the back of that and you are coleslaw!

pulley drive belts with open belting..e tc.

many new operators are unfamiliar with the equipment of the past and the inherant dangers.. and thus the technique, skill level, and most importantly, common sense needed to run equipment that isn't osha and 'nany-state' safe.

 

[buickanddeere]

he answered the question as would he feel ok using it.


everyone has a different tolerance and experience level.

I've worekd on plenty of heavy and ag equipment from the 40's that osha would have a heart attack if they saw

anyone ever seen chain drive loaders?

how about the original brush mowers that were merely fixed blades bolted to a 90' angle pto belt pulley, mounted down.

no guards.. no deck. just a spinning 3' blade behind the tractor... fall off the back of that and you are coleslaw!

pulley drive belts with open belting..e tc.

many new operators are unfamiliar with the equipment of the past and the inherant dangers.. and thus the technique, skill level, and most importantly, common sense needed to run equipment that isn't osha and 'nany-state' safe.

I remember as a kid being out to the ploughing match , farm shows etc. and being appalled at the number of men missing feet, legs, fingers, hand, arms, eyes, were deaf or had nasty scars.
Rarely see a maimed person now.

 

[Arc weld]

The ROPS was taken off that skid steer and is very dangerous that way. There was a comment about mini articulated loaders being safer. A mini articulated loader will tip over very easily compared to a skid steer. My skid steer will slide sideways on hill before it tips. A mini loader will tip over if a wheel drops in an 6" deep hole and you turn the wrong way. BTDT. Rolled the skid steer once backing into a mud hole hidden in tall grass. I was barely moving and it was almost like slow motion. Didn't hurt anything but I'm sure glad I had the ROPS.

 

[Mace Canute]

YOU were the one that then took the conversation over to tractors.

No rops.. No seatbelt.

getting crushed is no fun. being trapped and crushed is less fun.

I mentioned ROPS/FOPS in my first post

The lack of a ROPS/FOPS doesn't bother me as much as the apparent lack of a seat belt.

then you mentioned tractors in your reply.

no rops no seatbelt.

doesn't seem much worse than running a small tractor with a loader where you can see payload a few feet diagonally in front of you when lifted...

I am not aware of anything that says a ROPS/FOPS (Roll Over Protection Structure/Falling Object Protective Structure) is exclusively reserved for tractors so I would have to say you are the one "who took the conversation over to tractors."

 

[buickanddeere]

There is always somebody ready to tell everybody they are too smart, too fast, too strong and too much of a man to need safety equipment that other folk need.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That one was most likely used in a poultry barn. Here its not uncommon to see a newer loader with the cab chopped off or lowered a bit. Its all how it was used. Ive used an old Erickson/Ford skid steer in one poultry house that had no sides or roof. The owner had to have it removed to get the sides of the barn and walls. Most of the newer poultry barn loaders left the side panels intact. I used to buy the old loaders when they came for sale and we built new cages for them.
Even my 2000 and 1996 1840 Case loaders will give you a lap full of material in a special case with a full cab.

While the loader in question offers no protection in case of an operator error I think many miss your valid point of real world usage example.

While I would use this loader if it was my only option but I would not let a kid/employee of mine use it out of love/fear of law suit.

Personally I think using a chain saw without a chain guard is very dangerous but it would be hard to get much sawing done if one was totally protected from the moving chain at all times. Risk/reward issues will be debated until the end of time and maybe beyond.

 

[Soundguy]

I mentioned ROPS/FOPS in my first post then you mentioned tractors in your reply.

I am not aware of anything that says a ROPS/FOPS (Roll Over Protection Structure/Falling Object Protective Structure) is exclusively reserved for tractors so I would have to say you are the one "who took the conversation over to tractors."

my point is i would not use a seatbelt if there was not a rops or fops. otherwise you are asking to be pinned to a machine if it upsets. with no rops and no seatbelt at least you have a CHANCE to get off if it upsets. if you are belted in and it upsets.. and no rops.. you have MUCH less of a chance to get free in time to get off.

I'm not sure it makes a difference on what specific type of machine it is from ag to industrial.??? crushed is crushed?

 

[Soundguy]

While I would use this loader if it was my only option but I would not let a kid/employee of mine use it out of love/fear of law suit.

.

in most cases.. osha is going to say you need a rops if an employee is involved. there are very limited exceptions.

 

[Soundguy]

There is always somebody ready to tell everybody they are too smart, too fast, too strong and too much of a man to need safety equipment that other folk need.

i'm ok with safety equipment. In fact. I'm systematically outfitting my most used tractors with rops and seatbelts as i find them. mower guards too. I love rops. I cringe when I see people cut and weld all over them.. *possibly* compromising that structure they need to be able to trust 100%..e tc...

I just don't cower in fear at the edge of my barn if I have to use a tractor with no rops .. or with a loader and no rops..... or no fenders.. I just understand the dangers and go accordingly. will that protect me? heck no.. just making an informed decision thats all.

 

[rmk700]

I'm with you Soundguy. It does not matter if it's fully loaded with safety stuff or not. If your not paying attention to all, you will pay the price.