First Harvest Accident--Age 76

[npalen]

The picture, looking out the rear cab glass, shows the "no mans land" that one has to cross behind the cab to get to the rear view mirror on the right side of the tractor. The only "steps" are the two knuckles at the ends of the 3PH rockshaft and the only thing to hang on to is the magnetic radio antenna base on top of the cab. I've been holding on to this "security device" for the last 10 years doing dozens of mirror adjustments to provide visibility of the combine auger while unloading on the go into the grain cart knowing full well that the magnet would probably not hold if I needed it to. It didn't and the antenna ended up right next to me on the ground where I was flat on my back looking up at the sky and wondering if Grandpa should even try to get back up.
There were several "bumps in the road" on the journey from up to down as evidenced by leg and arm bruises in addition to severe back strain. Still can't figure out exactly what route was utilized thru the maze between here and there.

 

[Creamer]

We all do things we know we shouldn't but we still do. Thankfully you made it through the maze - there are a lot of very hard points that I will bet each left there own mark! Now you can rest though and let them heal.

 

[Jstpssng]

Ouch! Hopefully all that you received was bumps and bruises.

 

[oldnslo]

The school of hards knocks is a brutal but effective teacher..

Glad you are up and atem .

 

[Rustyiron]

Sore and bruised has always been a great reminder to me that I could have really been "messed up" and to be careful.
Getting old... all your chit gets slow, slow to realize what's happening, slow to catch yourself and react and the worst part, slow to heal.
Careful out there old man !

 

[orezok]

About a month ago I was needing to get a small box that I had stored on the 8” horizontal purlin in my metal building. It was above the sink cabinet. In the past I would get my 3 step stool to get up on the counter to reach the box. This time my 6’ ladder was right next to where I needed to climb up. I leaned the ladder against the counter and climbed up. BUT, when I stepped off the ladder to the right to get on the counter, the ladder kicked out. DUMB! I first fell against the right wall and ripped the towel holder off the wall. Then fell on the counter and bounced off. Ended up on the floor flat on my back.

I must have landed on my butt on the floor because I has a sore left cheek for about a week. No bruise.

On retrospect, I realized that if I had landed on my head, I might not be here anymore.

I know better but sometimes a shortcut seems easier.

 

[npalen]

I'm amazed at no broken bones falling off the tractor. My feet were about six feet above ground to start with but hitting the obstacles on the way down and breaking the fall may have been what saved me.

Here's the arm bruise about a week after. A hematoma about the size of a extra large lemon showed up immediately after the fall but was down in a few hours. Probably should use the pic as my avatar reminder. No?

 

[newbury]

That is impressive.
Need a stronger magnet.

 

[LouNY]

About as bad as trying to clean the back window on those cabs, climbing up on 3 pt arms and pto shafts and shields to get the window clean enough to see out especially when looking into the sun.

 

[npalen]

About as bad as trying to clean the back window on those cabs, climbing up on 3 pt arms and pto shafts and shields to get the window clean enough to see out especially when looking into the sun.

It would sure be handy if the manufacturer provided some safe places to step as well as some handholds for pete's sake. I have to wonder where all this falls in the product liability spectrum?

 

[scootr]

Glad all you old farts are okay I'm not gonna tell how many silly wrecks I've had
Just be careful. Remember we are not as agile as we were yesterday.
We can still giterdone with just a bit more caution applied when above and under things and such.

 

[SmallChange]

Remember we are not as agile as we were yesterday.

Ain't it the truth?

My joints do not bend as far as they once did.

But I'll be satisfied as long as I don't acquire any new places that bend.

 

[Hay Dude]

Fell off baler over the winter. Messed up my back and got a concussion. Like I needed one more of those damn things.…..

 

[npalen]

My problem is thinking of myself as a 20 year old when out farmin'. That's about the age I left the farm so just picking up where I left off, I guess.

 

[Tinhack]

I'll be turning 72 this month and I just spent the last 3 days resting my right ankle. The only thing it could have been was the four hours I spent going back and forth grappling cut branches and taking them to the burn pile. It was many long trips across a bumpy field and my hydrostat Kubota doesn't have cruise control. Guess what I'll be adding--Even if it's just a locking bar or something.

Just a week before, I was nursing a right wrist from cutting all those branches. It's tough when you get old. I was just telling the driver's license clerk they put the wrong picture on the preview sheet. I said that's a picture of some old man.

 

[scootr]

Old age is when your mind makes promises your body can't keep. Hang in there.

 

[SmallChange]

and my hydrostat Kubota doesn't have cruise control

Wait, do HST tractors require you to keep pushing on that rocker pedal?

(I've never driven one.)

 

[scootr]

A HST does require pedal pressure to move. However newer models have a big cruise control lever that you can actually see the pedal go down when the lever is advanced. They operate like your riding lawn mower

 

[cqaigy2]

My BIL fell out of his pickup, missed the step and broke his arm. I asked if he could remember when a fall like that would have bounced up real quick and see if anybody saw you.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Getting old... all your chit gets slow, slow to realize what's happening, slow to catch yourself and react and the worst part, slow to heal.

Glad you were not hurt any worse npalen. Get well !!

Eric, that is indeed a harsh reality for us old guys. But from my experience, I would add that diminished balance, dexterity, and strength are real game changers that increase risk. But it seems better to push ahead and do what you can to keep life interesting.

gg