Diesel fume headaches?

[bstrom]

Anybody else get headaches from diesel fumes? Seems like almost every time I work with my tractor I wake up with a headache. I'm trying to figure out if it's the diesel fumes or what. I've taken to turning it off rather than letting it idle when I'm working on the ground near it for more than a few minutes even though it is wear and tear on the starter system.

Not sure if the diesel is the cause of the headaches or not but sure seems like it. It blows right out the front there. I actually don't mind the smell of clean diesel fumes but I guess it's not really meant for humans to be breathing.

 

[dodge man]

I like the smell myself, but maybe I'm a sick individual. Two other thoughts on the hadaches, vibrations and noise. Do you wear ear muffs? If you are just tooling around you may not need them, but if the machine is working hard or mowing, try some hearing protection.

The other thought is vibrations. I've only run my machine for 8 hours straight a few times, but when I get off, it feels like I've been beat up. I think its the constant vibrations and concentration it takes to run the machine. How long does it take to get the headaches? Maybe try taking a break a little more often.

 

[crusty 1]

Nothing stinks worse than a city bus but tractor doesn,t bother.Go figure

 

[rmully]

Nothing stinks worse than a city bus but tractor doesn,t bother.Go figure

LOL ...I like both

 

[bstrom]

Hey - do you think the headaches might have something to do with three Margaritas I have been having after coming in from working outside? Just kiddin.

 

[Duffster]

I think it has more to do with the vibrations and jarring than it does the diesel fumes.

 

[Big Bri]

i also think that a lot of us forget how much we need to drink (water) while we are on our tractors. Ya it might not be "manual labor" but that sun will dehydrate us.

 

[beenthere]

No headache from diesel fumes. But one small glass of red wine...kapow!!

Wouldn't be any fun to be sensitive to the diesel smell/fumes.

But a headache for me is cured quickly with one Excedrin. For others, that doesn't work. We are all some different.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you operated your tractor in an enclosed space (garage or barn), I could see the fumes giving you a headache.
However, I think it's the clenching of your body's muscles (especially your neck) while operating causing your headaches...if it's tractor related.

 

[dave1949]

I have an unproven medical theory that if you have ever had a dose of carbon monoxide poisoning, you remain very sensitive to it for a long time.

I also have a problem which may be related to bifocals. If I get under the tractor for maintenance laying on my back, I get this very strong seasick feeling that comes on rapidly. This is with the engine off, so no diesel fumes. I don't get it when I lay on my back in bed and read just about every night. Is it all in my head??
Dave.

 

[crusty 1]

Dave,I,ve noticed a woosey feeling at times too and think it may just be the distance of the object you,re looking at.I read just fine with the bifocals but there seems to be a fine line between just right and feeling like the cookies are coming back up!I guess we,re both dated now:laughingave

 

[wdchyd]

Bstrom,

I know exactly how you feel....I keep Tylenol Sinus at home, in my truck, boat, hunting pack......you name it , I gottem there.....I can be behind a diesel truck in traffic for just a minute or two and I still smell the fumes in my sinuses for an hour.....the smell doesn't bother me, the headaches do......

10 yrs ago nothin' bothered me ( diesel and chem fumes, welding and grinding dust, concrete dust ect.)....but that has changed....I could be welding today and later that night or next day it bothers me.....

when I let the headache get too far, then I use hot, wet facecloth with heating pad over face and crash in bed, sleep it off and VIOLA.....Headache's Gone.....

 

[Onthesauk]

Might also think about how much time you spend twisted around looking over your shoulder at the plow/blade/rake. I know that will trigger a headache for me. Maybe age related.

 

[ccsial]

Carbon monoxide give many people headches. People have different tolerance levels. Alcohol makes it worse too.

 

[FlaDon]

It doesn't have to be the Diesel fumes, just the CO that causes the headaches. You can get them from gas engines also. Some people are like canaries and detect it at lower levels than others.
I worked around running Diesels for 12 to 18 hours a day and the vibrations didn't cause headaches. Vibration will cause your joints to breakdown such as if you were using a jackhammer though. Hands, wrists develope carpal tunnel and your back can develope Degenerative Disc Disease onset at an early age. This will give you more info than most will want to read.

 

[dave1949]

Dave,I,ve noticed a woosey feeling at times too and think it may just be the distance of the object you,re looking at.I read just fine with the bifocals but there seems to be a fine line between just right and feeling like the cookies are coming back up!I guess we,re both dated now:laughingave

Oh, I feel dated more and more. My 'best if used by' date is behind me I'm sure :laughing: I think it is the distance for bifocals, I don't know what else it could be.
Dave.

 

[dave1949]

It doesn't have to be the Diesel fumes, just the CO that causes the headaches. You can get them from gas engines also. Some people are like canaries and detect it at lower levels than others.
I worked around running Diesels for 12 to 18 hours a day and the vibrations didn't cause headaches. Vibration will cause your joints to breakdown such as if you were using a jackhammer though. Hands, wrists develope carpal tunnel and your back can develope Degenerative Disc Disease onset at an early age. This will give you more info than most will want to read.

The 'dead hand' or 'white finger' condition mentioned in the link is a big concern to people who operate chainsaws, I've also noticed the same tingle in the fingers from holding the tractor steering wheel all day. Gloves help deaden the vibration transmission into your hand.
Dave.

 

[bstrom]

Yeah - I'm kinda thinking it's the CO in my case. When I didn't operate my tractor for a couple of weeks I didn't get them. That what got me thinking. I think my sinuses have gotten more sensitive as I've aged and I've been exposed to a lot of wood dust because of my job.

I 'd hate to have to operate my tractor with a respirator on I also have hooked up my ballast box in the garage with door open and idling while it was warming up a few times. Not good probably.


Oh and I did actually have a drink one or two nights after operating, probably did make it worse. The headaches are very debilitating when they happen, it sucks.

 

[crusty 1]

The 'dead hand' or 'white finger' condition mentioned in the link is a big concern to people who operate chainsaws, I've also noticed the same tingle in the fingers from holding the tractor steering wheel all day. Gloves help deaden the vibration transmission into your hand.
Dave.

From my harley riding days I had to let go of the handle bars and shake my hands around to get the blood flowing again.Been to sturgis many times and between gas stops shaking the hands worked.If I didn,t do that the fingers turned white and then would go numb.I,m well past the best if used by date too.Dave

 

[flusher]

Anybody else get headaches from diesel fumes? Seems like almost every time I work with my tractor I wake up with a headache. I'm trying to figure out if it's the diesel fumes or what. I've taken to turning it off rather than letting it idle when I'm working on the ground near it for more than a few minutes even though it is wear and tear on the starter system.

Not sure if the diesel is the cause of the headaches or not but sure seems like it. It blows right out the front there. I actually don't mind the smell of clean diesel fumes but I guess it's not really meant for humans to be breathing.

Diesel fumes--no problem.
Budweiser--big headache (which is why I'm a MGD guy).