Snow removal accident

[MossRoad]

Yes, this! Let alone the benefits in preventing the machine from accidentally moving, it saves strain on the hydraulics, and most importantly, prevents accidents with an unattended machine.

I once drove past a construction site after hours, noticing that the parked backhoe still had the hoe in the air. Zero prevention from kids (or me!) getting at it . I took one of my kid's old shirts from the trunk, and placed it carefully where the tooth of the hoe bucket was about to be when I lowered it. I gently let the hoe down, and relieved all the pressure, pinching the shirt to the ground in the process. Hopefully, the operator got the idea the next morning....

To my delight, my new JD1025R has a lock on the front end loader controls, so the lever can be prevented from being moved. For the very, very few times I need to get off the tractor with the loader off the ground (like to hand shovel a load out of it), I lock it in position, and apply the parking brake. Let alone my grandkids playing around the tractor, doing so prevents me bumping the lever as I get on or off the tractor.

I feel badly for Piston Bulley actor fellow, and I've had a crushing leg injury, so I get it, but people have to learn one way or the other, that the machine does not care about you, and physics will always prevail if you don't allow gravity to over come it first, or lock it out!

That reminds me of when we were kids, my best friend's father was having some extensive landscaping done in their back yard. They left a backhoe there overnight. We hopped in the seat and tried to imitate the operator, as we were big fans of Tonka Toys and always playing with them in the sandbox. Well, we pulled some levers on the backhoe. It released the outrigger pressure, the rear end dropped, we freaked out and ran away. We also noticed the keys in the ignition. Fortunately, we didn't try to start it up.

As for learning by doing, yep, that guy won't do that again. Tough way to learn a lesson. Maybe he knew better and just had a brain lapse, but he'll certainly know now. Glad he's recovering. You hate to see anyone permanently maimed or killed from an accident.

Look at how many stories we still hear each year about farmers and tractor accidents.

 

[Jstpssng]

I’ve seen a couple of headlines where he may lose his leg, but haven’t read the article to see if it’s likely.

 

[ruffdog]

I assume the people were maybe in a rush to get the vehicle unstuck and dealing with the snow. Sometimes we lose track of "safety first" when we are rushing....I have. Too bad people learn the hard way.

 

[MossRoad]

Which reminds me of how many guys I've met with missing fingertips.

Heck, I smashed my finger in a door a couple years ago. Just like that. Boom.

 

[scootr]

I read he has exterior pin support. I would think this would be used on only the worst complete break or possible bone separation.

 

[MossRoad]

I read he has exterior pin support. I would think this would be used on only the worst complete break or possible bone separation.

I had 3 pins in my finger for 2 months after I smashed it. They are to hold the bones in place while they heal. Then they're removed. They were the size of large paper clip wires for those small bones in the finger.

No guessing as to what he has pinned where and how long they have to stay or what size they are.

Hopefully they'll be able to pin him back together and everything will heal up to the point he can get into therapy to regain motion and strength.

 

[ruffdog]

With all the metal pins and screws, he could be the new Ironman. I wish him all the luck....

 

[Jims1025R]

I read he has exterior pin support. I would think this would be used on only the worst complete break or possible bone separation.

'Been there, had that. It's rather upsetting to wake up to an unfamiliar ceiling, see doctors, nurses and family looking at you, and see a number of metal rings and bars around your leg. The first words I remember hearing were: "wiggle your toes". They drill 1/4" holes right through your leg, and pin it through the rings. I walked again three months later, with 27 screws in that leg, 9 in the other, 6 pins in my spine, and a metal strip along my clavicle.

I went back to being a pilot, but don't do flying instruction anymore!

I easily remember the phrase: If you think taking time to be safe is expensive, consider the time and cost of an accident!

 

[MossRoad]

Ouch!

 

[Fixastuff]

Got a point there.

I always use my seat belt, and always set the parking brake and test it before I get off of my machine. The brakes are spring loaded pins into steel sprockets on the front wheel spindles. When they engage, the machine cannot move. So flip the lever, step on the directional pedals, hear snap-snap and both are engaged.

Unless I'm using the machine for a crane, I also always lower the implement. All of my implements are on the FEL arms out front, but when I had a conventional tractor with loader and 3pt hitch, I'd do the same and lower everything, always.

It's just a pretty easy thing to do, doesn't take but an extra 2-3 seconds, and I've made it a habit so it's almost automatic. Once in a great while, I'll still catch myself starting to get off without doing it. You have to practice safety to keep it automatic. Just like car seat belts always, and using your turn signal at all turns, even in your driveway or a parking lot.