Almost killed by trencher

[chambers1517]

I rented a large ride on trencher (about 7000lbs) to dig a trench for my water line. The line was hooked up and laying on the ground and I was diggng beside it. There is a steep hill I was about to go down. I stopped at the top to move the water line out of the way. I was wearing noise supression headphones because this thing is so loud. I was walking down the hill moving this line out of the way with my dog with me. I noticed the dog looking alarmed and looked bock to see the trencher flying down the hill right at me. I ran into the woods behind a tree. The trencher hit the tree threw me in the air with a branch and flipped upside down. I never heard this thing coming at me since I had the headphones on. Another split second and I would have died. The brake didn't work. Scary day for sure.

 

[davygp38]

What was the outcome with the rental company? I'm not being critical, but could you have lowered the trenching boom to the ground when you stopped? It might not have stopped the machine, but with the trencher boom dragging, it would have slowed it down some. I just want to know if this was preventable even with the bad brakes.

 

[BXpanded]

What was the outcome with the rental company? I'm not being critical, but could you have lowered the trenching boom to the ground when you stopped? It might not have stopped the machine, but with the trencher boom dragging, it would have slowed it down some. I just want to know if this was preventable even with the bad brakes.

Experience taught me to turn the front wheels into the hill when dis-mounting from a machine. If the brakes fail, the machine will only roll until it is sideways across the hill.

 

[roamerr]

I don't even trust the brakes on my Kubota BX and they seem to work fine. I always lower the FEL or rear attachment and turn the wheel sideways. On a trencher lowering the trencher would have worked. Glad you are OK. Those things are crazy heavy...

 

[CurlyDave]

I was wearing noise supression headphones because this thing is so loud.

This is one of the primary reasons I don't use noise suppression headphones -- near complete loss of situational awareness.

I have a pretty good pair, but only use them on airplane trips. I don't want anything sneaking up behind me unnoticed.

Also, long ago I decided that I would shut off the engine every time I dismounted. Sure it is inconvenient, a little harder on the battery, and takes a little longer to get going. But the extra safety is well worth it.

 

[gasbag]

I'm with Curley Dave on this one, I like to hear whats goin on around me and whatever tool I'm using. Being able to hear the engine is like an early warning of something wrong. Furthermore it sounds like you have an outstanding dog, may have saved your life, give em a bone! Mark

 

[20 20]

I say there is nothing wrong with ear protection, years from now you'll be glad you wore it. I do agree with Curly Dave, shut the machine off move your line etc around{out of way} then start back up again. Another thing I have not seen anyone mention is chock blocks especially on steep hills.

 

[TripleR]

Sure glad you are OK; no safety lectures.

 

[Yankee]

The only thing I'll add is ... Take care of that dog!

 

[crashz]

Also glad you are OK. Pretty amazing how that happened.

I've always made it a habit to lower all equipment to the ground, because most machines have sub-par parking brakes. Especially the old iron that my father owns. In fact I've never have one hold on a hill.

Forget the bone, the dog deserves a steak!