How safe would you like your tractor to be?

[drssg]

I had a White lawn tractor twenty years ago that would shut off the mower deck if you went backwards, as referenced in the OP. The wiring for it was connected to the forward/back pedal, and it was fairly easy to bypass.

Some juries are ridiculously open to blaming a big corporation for a user error. There is no way around the financial reality for the company, and stupid safety features are the result.

That said, I appreciate most of the safety features on modern tractors. I cringe on hindsight about bush hogging as a teenager on my dad's Ford Jubilee. We had hilly fields with lots of hidden obstacles. No seatbelt or ROPS, and our tractor didn't even have rear fenders. It also didn't have an independent PTO, so there was a strong motivation to ram right through areas that should have been taken slowly and carefully.

 

[Jstpssng]

I found last week out that mine will shut off if I stand up while running the PTO. I'm not sure how, as I disabled the seat safety the day after I brought it home so that I could use my BH. I also use the winch a lot and never had a problem, but for some reason I stood up while tilling and shut the tractor down. After experimenting I discovered that it always does so.

I've only had the tractor for about 3 years/600 hours...

To the original question, if I EVER get the TO35 home one safety feature I plan to add is a ROPS. It may look funky at first but I"ll get used to it, plus I really like a canopy on sunny days. Of course another feature will be a seat belt.

 

[Cougsfan]

I have mixed emotions about this. It is hard to argue against safety features. Who doesn't want to be safe? But these days safety features are dictated by lawsuits and lawyers rather than common sense. Some things like PTO shaft covers are poorly designed so as to make it impossible to lubricate the u-joints. Plus most are flemsy and fall apart after a few usages. And the PTO guards on some tractors make it possible to connect a shaft only if your elbows are 6 inches away from your wrist. The tractor company's know they are crappy and know they will be the first thing removed, but it gets them out of being liable. Installing garbage on a tractor is not improving safety. If you can't design a safety feature to be user friendly, you are probably safer without it.

 

[dirttoys]

I too have mixed feelings. If you grew up around equipment that would bite you, and you are still around, you probably don't need them.

If you are an adult before you work with equipment, I think most of the safety gear is worth the hassle.

That said, mowers need to mow in reverse

Best,

ed

 

[LD48750]

I like the safety features on my 2N.

NO ONE has died from it in 75 years.

Maybe some people are just smarter then others.

 

[grsthegreat]

I run my brush hog in reverse all the time. Only way to trim around trees in the fields.

 

[ponytug]

I too have mixed feelings. If you grew up around equipment that would bite you, and you are still around, you probably don't need them.

If you are an adult before you work with equipment, I think most of the safety gear is worth the hassle.

That said, mowers need to mow in reverse

Best,

ed

Or get a tractor that has the mower in front!

After nearly getting swept off an old Ford 8n brush hogging a trail, I love the fact that my current tractor, a Power-Trac, brush hog cuts everything down before I get to it. Try it sometime.

To the original question, I wouldn't have bought my current tractor without a ROPS or seat belt, or slope safety. I have lived long enough to appreciate their importance.

In the stupid things that I have done category: After once nearly putting another tractor backwards into a stream by missing a shift, I am now not too wild about gear shifts in tight situations, but that's just me.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Unclewillie]

More to the point,do you appreciate features that prevent pto operating while tractor is in reverse? IMO tractors,mowers,Z-Turns,backhoes,dozers and other machines are inherently dangerous for operator and anyone in the vecenity while machine is in operation. If one is struck by machine traveling in any direction,responsability is shared by operator and victim. If victim happen's to be mentally handycaped or underage,their guardian shoulder's victim's share of responsability. I am also of the opinion lawyers advise mfgrs to install all the so called protective devices knowing full well many owners will by-pass and dsiable them. The idea being that if a rock is thrown causing damage (or any number of other events) the mfgr is in better position to defend absence of deflector chains or other cost cutting decisions if sued and it can be proved the reverse,start in gear ect had been disabled by owner. Am I under appreciating what mfgrs do trying to keep me and mine safe or do I have a point when I say this is only another example of lawyers keeping mankind up trees like scared cats? I haven't ran over anyone nor plan to but I rely on good judgement and common sense,not on my tractor being idiot proof.

I like the pro running at all times, tractors can be dangerous without doubt but I one has a need for one then it's up to the owner to warn children not to run up to dad, mom, grandpaw, using a tractor if they do spank that a##. And if people are on your property that will be too close to the work area ,don't work or ask em to leave. Common sense is the best tool.

 

[dirttoys]

Or get a tractor that has the mower in front!

After nearly getting swept off an old Ford 8n brush hogging a trail, I love the fact that my current tractor, a Power-Trac, brush hog cuts everything down before I get to it. Try it sometime.

To the original question, I wouldn't have bought my current tractor without a ROPS or seat belt, or slope safety. I have lived long enough to appreciate their importance.

In the stupid things that I have done category: After once nearly putting another tractor backwards into a stream by missing a shift, I am now not too wild about gear shifts in tight situations, but that's just me.

All the best,

Peter

There are certainly times I wish I had a front mount, but, not bad enough to buy one for the skid yet..........

Best,

ed

 

[CalG]

I've got a tractor made in 1950. "First post war tractor with three point hitch and power take off" (if you were an Englishman of the time)

It has all the safety features I desire. Exposed flat belt pulley and all.

A better defined step plate for lifting myself up to the operators station would be welcome. Tip toeing up and over the tool bar and lift arms is always a new adventure!