Dismounting a running tractor ?

[tungularafishcamp]

I just tuck the seat safety switch under the split loom for the wiring and then if my wife, kids, or someone else runs the tractor I just untuck it. Working solo I work the fel all the time from the ground. Putting up this building I have been averaging 4 hrs a day(at least until it warmed up a bit) on the tractor with maybe 30 minutes in the seat. I do lock the brakes and the fel controls before I get off and climb up on the fel.
Rick

 

[dfkrug]

If I were to go through the multiple steps some of you go through, I'd go nuts. .. or wouldn't get off the tractor. I often adjust the FEL height and curl when standing on the ground. That was recently when gutting a deer hanging off the bucket. All depends on the multiple uses I have for bucket and forks.

I have to stand up to see the tips of the forks on the FEL to line them up with a pallet or to pick up a log or rock. So having the safety switch in the seat wouldn't work well at all.

That's some of what I do, too. (Except for the deer-gutting.)

The new Bobcat HST CUT that I had used a much more sophisticated safety
module that allowed you to get off the running tractor, even in gear,
if the parking brake was on. Because the seat switch was so sensitive,
I could kill the engine while mounted if I had to press hard with my foot
to release the parking brake. Of course there was no way to stand up
for fine loader positioning while the engine was running.

 

[LBrown59]

I have a Bobcat CT235 hydro. I do exactly what you describe. However, I'll admit there are times I forget to switch to neutral. So far, I've never noticed the difference.
it just seems to me that neutral would be the safer choice.

MoKelly

Nope ark would be much safer.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Another reason I prefer gear over hydro. NOTHING on the floor to step on when getting on and off that will make the tractor go. Tractors are traditionally made to get on and off without stopping the engine and anyone using one must take the proper precautions to make sure that it is still in the same spot when you return, ie set the brake, lock in park or whatever is needed on your particular tractor. Manufacturers in there effort to avoid some idiot sueing them for a stupid mistake that he made and got himself hurt has made some tractors and other mechanical stuff all but impossible to adequately use. See example in this thread where you cant see what you are doing with forks but cant get up out of the seat because the engine will die. Just like the one construction job where the client safety dept. wanted to ban the use of any tool everytime someone got injured with it. Our management reply to this was that if we continued to do that, soon we would be back to using sticks and rocks. We have to take responsibility for our own safety and not depend on switches, interlocks etc to always is every instance protect us from ourselves. A properly trained operator is much better safety wise than dozens of safety switchs that may or may not function.
I personally have no issues with someone defeating a safety interlock on their own devices that were installed by manufacturers because of the safety police and lawyers, but please dont blame them if you get yourself hurt later because you did something stupid and hurt yourself.

 

[RoyJackson]

We have to take responsibility for our own safety and not depend on switches, interlocks etc to always is every instance protect us from ourselves. A properly trained operator is much better safety wise than dozens of safety switchs that may or may not function.

Agree 100%!!!

But even on TBN, notice how many folks operate with the ROPS folded (my estimate is between 25%-30% based upon posted pictures).

 

[beenthere]

Agree 100%!!!

But even on TBN, notice how many folks operate with the ROPS folded (my estimate is between 25%-30% based upon posted pictures).

And just maybe it is because they don't need the ROPS.

 

[RoyJackson]

And just maybe it is because they don't need the ROPS.

That was an odd comment...care to explain?

 

[Don87]

I had to disable my seat switch. My tractor was shutting off while I was mowing grass.

 

[nybirdman]

YOU can disable your safety devises,I will not.........we just had a farmer down the road from us LOSE AN ARM to a corn chopper that he had disabled the guards and safeties,lucky he didn't bleed to death.
I get off my tractor running,HST in gear,bucket down,rear implement down,brake on.
I think most of us are alone when operateing our equiptment....must use extreme caution.

 

[dfkrug]

I get off my tractor running,HST in gear,bucket down,rear implement down,brake on.

Well at least your new Grand L LETS you do that. Many other HST
tractors do not let you leave the seat with the engine running in gear.

For those who think you can't have enough safety devices, should
owners of older tractors with no safety belts and no ROPS rush out
and get them? What do you do with an older car/truck with no
airbags? No ABS? No traction control?

Just be happy that most safety devices are imposed on the manufacturer,
not the user. Use what you want to use, eliminate the others.

 

[Qapla]

YOU can disable your safety devises,I will not.........we just had a farmer down the road from us LOSE AN ARM to a corn chopper that he had disabled the guards and safeties...

There is a big difference in disabling a "safety device" that was designed for the safe operation of the machinery and a "safety device" that was installed to protect the manufacturer from law suits due to operator stupidity.

The safety guards that prevent someone from putting their hands, arms, feet, etc. into running equipment (especially something made to chop, grind or mutilate) were not put there simply to protect the manufacturer. They are there to protect the operator.

Things like seat switches were not really intended for the "protection" of the operator, they are for "law-suit-avoidance" for the manufacturer. Far to much riding machinery has switches that shut down the equipment when being properly used simply because the switch is either too sensitive or poorly installed.

We have a riding mower that has a seat switch. When we first got it, the mower would die when you changed directions or mower height. This was because the seat switch was installed at the wrong angle. When either lever was operated, the movement on the seat was enough to trip the switch.

When we lifted the seat to check, the switch was not even in the "alignment" de-tentes. When repositioned, the switch worked as it should.

A seat switch on a tractor that does not allow the user to turn in the seat to look behind, like is needed when backing up to hitch up to something, without killing the engine is not a safety switch. It is actually a hazard, as it tends to motivate the user to not only defeat that switch, but any other device that becomes inconvenient.

Remember, the best safety device we can have is common sense.

 

[Jaylegger]

The primary safety issue I've faced while dismounting either a running or one shut off is the cuff of my shorts catching on a lever. When wearing shorts in the summer I take extra time to ensure the brake is properly engaged, 3pt is dropped assuming something's hanging off it and both pto selector lever and clutch lever are not engaged. Would hate to have shorts catch one of the engagement lever starting the mower blades spinning, or dropping a boxblade on my face or fingers immediately after doing a face plant.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Qapla say "Remember, the best safety device we can have is common sense."
That about sums it up for safety, however there is nothing requiring a tractor owner to have that, only money or good credit is required, therefore lots of safety buttons and devices are put on at much expense to those who have common sense and use it but still have to pay for the idiot devices that are installed. I agree with others here, use what devices you want, disconnect the ones you dont want. You paid for them, use them or dont it is your choice. If someone wishes to keep all their's active, so be it, they know how smart they are so perhaps they need to have those seat switches so they dont get off the tractor with it running down the road like the woman in the RV who put it on cruise and went in back to make a sandwich and was astonished when it crashed. I was astonished to find that jurors awarded her money for being so stupid. That kind of action is why we spend an extra thousand (maybe more as lawyer fund is likely added to each price) on each tractor. For me, the simple clutch to start is all that I need on my tractor because most of the time if I am on a hill, I will leave it in gear when I stop so that is a good device that I will keep.