Neighbors Tractor accident

[bucktaker]

Just want to post this as a reminder to everyone to be safe while operating.

My 84yr old neighbor was bushhogging with his MH 50 when he got off the tractor to move a rock and the tractor rolled and ran over him. Thankfully he had shut down the mower! He is out of surgury with two broken legs, one thigh high the other broke below the knee. He has been around tractors his entire life. Wishing him a speed recovery.

Larry

 

[RoyJackson]

Best wishes to him!!

I assume he didn't set the parking brake...or it was inoperable?

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Not sure that 84 year olds belong on a tractor.

 

[DT86]

That's what I was thinking. Best of luck to him.

 

[TripleR]

One of our renters is in his 80's, still drives a pickup, grain truck, tractor, depends on the individual. My mom was walking 2-4 miles a day through her 80's and still driving.

 

[farmgirl19]

I have a friend that is 87, and still uses all of his tractors. He built 3000 feet of fence this past Spring, and is chomping at the bit to do another 3000 feet, this fall, when temps moderate. I'd hate to be the one to try to tell him that he can't be on a tractor, or dozer, etc. He works circles around most men half his age!

Sorry to hear about your neighbor's accident.

 

[WilliamBos]

Not sure that 84 year olds belong on a tractor.

Why? Age? Not for you to judge that.

 

[buickanddeere]

Wasn't an accident. It was an incident due to human error.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Not all of belong the world wide web but that does not stop us.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

My father is in his late 80's and still runs his old D-10 he has 3 back hoes and more equipment than anyone I know .Try telling him he is too old and you might find yourself on your *****

 

[creekbend]

I sincerely wish him the best and a speedy recovery.

 

[Relic]

wishing Him a speedy recovery.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

i said i wasnt sure they belong on a tractor, not that they didnt belong on one, 84 is old for most humans, reflexes and judgement can become problems at older ages. Let me be politically correct here, SOME in there 80s probably dont belong on a tractor or driving a vehicle while for others its probably ok.

 

[TripleR]

I said I wasn't sure they belong on a tractor, not that they didn't belong on one, 84 is old for most humans, reflexes and judgement can become problems at older ages. Let me be politically correct here, SOME in there 80s probably don't belong on a tractor or driving a vehicle while for others its probably ok.

A bit different than your original post: "Not sure that 84 year olds belong on a tractor." Not, "Not sure that some/all/many/any 84 year olds belong on a tractor.

The same can be said for many ages, I will admit I am not as good as I once was, but won't say that about others of my age.

 

[GGB]

Regardless of the age of the operator, this accident should remind all operators to be more careful.......

I've also known men in their 80's who are certainly capable of being on a tractor. But I've also seen men in their 20's who probably shouldn't be allowed near any equipment. So it really just depends on the individual.

Hope I'm still capable of operating my equipment into the 80's, or if not, to at least have enough sense to know that I shouldn't or still be willing to listen to the family when they tell me it's time to quit.

 

[PeterK]

Say again when you're approaching that age.

Not sure that 84 year olds belong on a tractor.

 

[big bubba]

well, this thread brings into question some interesting points. whether impetuous youth or the wisdom of age is safer on a tractor (or moving vehicle) is subject of debate. what about..... when should age be a concern driving on highways or in a field on a tractor? where is the decision made? guess it might involve dangerous consequences to others beyond the operator....can we expect the "aged" operator to make those decisions ? where does family or general public at large intercede? ( & btw i'm gettin' up there in those yrs myself)...no one is exempt when it comes to safety..when we decide when it's time to let go of the frontier spirit whether on tractor or on the road, we challenge the american dream!!!! when all of us reach that turning point, can we ourselves make that decision or society?

 

[300UGUY]

Best wishes to him!!

I assume he didn't set the parking brake...or it was inoperable?

Most tractors that age never had good brakes to start with.

 

[300UGUY]

I've had friends and relatives that refused to stop driving, even after numerous accidents. One neighbor trashed 3 cars in 2 years. He insists that he is simply unlucky. My grand mother had a couple of fender benders, at 90, and only quit when my dad disabled her car. She lost her license, and still was driving. I think they ought to go back to having a actual driving test when you renew the DL.

 

[Sysop]

I'd not trust any braking system to hold a tractor that's otherwise in neutral on a hill above where I needed to do something, even on my brand new tractor. Either put it in the lowest gear it has and turn it off with the parking brake set, or turn the tractor at an angle if it rolls it's not going to cause any injuries if it gets free and rolls. I'd much rather be standing at the top of the hill cussing as my tractor made it's way to the river or down some in some big hole or canyon than be battered, mangled, and laying in the field not caring where the tractor goes.

I hope the fella makes a full and speedy recovery.