My PT Accident

FOURTEEN · Dec 4, 2004

Sorry to hear of your /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif experience!!

We should always shut off the PT, but we don't, regardless of our resolutions to do so!!

I recognized that potential for trouble, and it was one of my primary motivations for installing the stretch cords on my treadle.

When mounting the PT from the right side, I always place the instep of my right shoe on the vertical edge of the tub just above the right steering cylinder, not inside the treadle well. I grab the left ROPS with my right hand, and the seat back with my left hand. Do not grab the steering wheel, because it can move and throw you off balance! I then step up, balancing most of my weight on my right foot, and slid my butt onto the seat and my left foot into place on the floor behind, not on, the reverse treadle. I then lift my right foot off the tub's vertical side and into place on the floor behind, not on, the forward treadle. Flip rights and lefts, if mounting from the left side. Reverse the procedure to dismount. Fasten the seat belt before touching the treadle!!

Never have your foot on the ground while your other foot is inside the treadle well!!

This may sound complex, but actually it is quite easy and intuitive!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

cqaigy · Dec 4, 2004

Nice discrption FOURTEEN. I don't normally get out on the right side, must be from riding horses, but that sound pretty much how i do it from the left side.

cqaigy · Dec 4, 2004

rainbow,
Thanks for sharing and it's only foolish if you keep doing it after you shoulda learned not to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Glad to hear that you didn't break anything.

I had a friend jump start a tractor that was in gear. It proceeded up his right leg, knocking him down, then up and over his chest , just missing his head. I don't know why he wasn't seriously hurt cause it was a big tractor w/calcium in the tires, it might have been because the ground was pretty soft so it smushed him into it. He finally made time to replace the starter solenoid.

FOURTEEN · Dec 4, 2004

Thanks!! I described a right side mount because the only picture that I had that would nicely show the vertical edge of the tub was of the right side! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The critical thing is to not stick your foot into the treadle well while you are still standing on the ground!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

"Ambidextrous means that you are clumsy with both hands!!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS: Have you noticed that the seat belt holds you to the seat, but, since the seat tilts up, an abrupt stop will pitch you into the steering wheel or dash!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2004

Good thing you are OK. Sounds scary. While the PT only weighs a little over a thousand pounds, and there may only be a few hundred on one wheel, not many of us can lift that kind of weight. Lucky you weren't mowing. YIKES! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2004

Many boats and hand operated machines, tillers, mowers, etc. have had similar safety switches for years

Anyone have an idea how a Power Trac could be modified to do the same thing? 

A quick fix could be to use a cut off switch tethered to your clothes like on snowmobiles, ATVs and watercraft. Check your local shops for availability.

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2004

seat belt holds you to the seat, but, since the seat tilts up, an abrupt stop will pitch you into the steering wheel or dash!! 

Yes, that has happened once or twice to me. I was thinking of just drilling a small hole in the tunnel above the seat support and inserting a small thumblock pin in it. I rarley lift the seat, except to check hydraulic levels and when re-fueling because I don't want fuel splashed on my seat. The thumb button pin could be easily removed.

MossRoad · Dec 5, 2004

And not to beat a dead horse, but it's better than going to a friend's funeral...

Why don't we turn off our tractors before we get off? To save a little time, some $$ on a battery or starter repairs? Wear and tear on the engine, perhaps? In the big picture, these costs are so small when compared to the value of our lives and the cost to our loved ones. Just turn it off whenever possible. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rainbow · Dec 6, 2004

"While the PT only weighs a little over a thousand pounds, and there may only be a few hundred on one wheel, not many of us can lift that kind of weight."

 The PT website says the 425 weighs 1387 lbs. With the 4in1 bucket out front, I'd say it was around 1600 lbs, or about 400 lbs. evenly pressed by the front turf tire on my upper thigh. I didn't use any of my adrenaline to see if I could lift it off from a sitting position.

My squished leg actually faired better (other than my still sore twisted knee) than my left leg and behind that got yanked off the PT and slammed against the side, leaving a big tear in my pants and green paint on my back side.

Anyway, I spent three hours in the seat today without a mishap. That's only one hospital trip per thirteen hours of PT operation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

toy · Dec 6, 2004

I use a peice of two by six in my footwell for my feet to set on to take the strain off my ankles and to make it less likly to have a sudden surge when you mash down on the tram pedal. I noticed the other day after reading your post that the 2by6 raises your foot up about level with the tram pedal so that when you put your foot in you have to extend your foot to be able to give it tram. I cut my blocks to fit the footwell and put a screw in the bottom to stick through the clean out hole to keep it from sliding around , for those that use the blocks check it out and see what I am talking about. But as has already been mentioned it is best to cut the machine off when you are getting off the machine.

MossRoad · Dec 6, 2004

I've only got three more words to say about your discription...

OW!
OW!
OW!

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

(glad we can joke about it now /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

Phils · Dec 6, 2004

I learned within the first day of operation how easy it is to do what you did.... I'm now VERY careful getting on and off while it's running, and I shut it off more than I would were it not so easy to mis-step and have the PT start travelling before one is ready.

I need to start shutting it off EVERY time I mount/dismount and will work on reinforcing that habit.

Hey Rainbow.... what part of NO. CA are you in? Are we neighbors? (you can use private messaging if you don't want everyone to know).

Phil

DUSTMAKER · Dec 7, 2004

Glad to hear you were not seriously injured. That was one of my reasons for choosing the 1445 over the 1430 it has a nifty brake switch on the dash that locks the wheels instantly. This parking brake is applied every time I get of the tractor,running or not. I'm sure it would be safer yet to always turn it off but I am to impatient for that. This break has saved me a number of times already because the treadle does not respond instantly to direction change. I was heading backward toward a ditch that was closer than expected and would have ben upside down for sure had in not ben for that brake. I did discover though that since the PT reacts a lot slower until the fluid warms up even though it is spring applied and released with fluid pressure. Incidentally I discovered why the seatbelt is so long, it is so I can hang it on the steering wheel every time I get off (see attachment). Don't forget to put it back on that way.

46mac · Dec 7, 2004

One thing I don't understand on this forum is PUT YOUR BRAKE ON. Only one other owner said the same,cut your engine or put your brake on. All the fancy switches lifelines,radios,whistles,mounting,dismounting things are great, but if you put your brake on none of the above are needed. Sorry guys just my not understanding Mac

FOURTEEN · Dec 7, 2004

"" Sorry guys just my not understanding ""

We are looking for a way to not need to use the brake, which is stiff, often hard to operate, often jams if the steering wheel is turned, and simply requires an extra step and extra effort.

You are on the PT, and you just need to close the barn door, or pick up a stick that is in the way, or load a shovel into the bucket, so you want to jump off, do that 10 second job, and be on your way!! So, you don't kill the engine, or set the brake, although you know that really you should!! PT owners with flat land assume that their tractor will stay where it is stopped. The big danger for them comes from inadvertently stepping on the treadle! My procedure reduces that risk!! My suggested procedure for mounting/dismounting allows you to quite safely take the shortcut! It's not as safe as always setting the brake, but once learned, it is always used!

People like to cheat death and injury!! Why else would they drink, smoke, use drugs, or drive too fast for conditions!!??!! They know that they shouldn't, but a lot of them do it anyway!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Dec 7, 2004

Tether Kill Switch

Lots of Kill Switches

Other stuff you may need if you don't shut off your tractor, manufactured right here in Indiana. Check out their logo store. Neat stuff.

tracdoc · Dec 7, 2004

( Other stuff you may need if you don't shut off your tractor, manufactured right here in Indiana. Check out their logo store. Neat stuff. )

What an amusingly morbid sense of humor MR!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif An interesting side of your personality I had not seen before. Perhaps some of the forum members might be interested in alternative final choices Click here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

zipp669 · Dec 7, 2004

I feel for you. Hope you feel better soon, pride also!! Although it was not a power trac, my story is of my 4500 power reverser JD.
It has been 2 years now, around Nov 20 of 2002. 200 gal 3 pt sprayer on back of tractor filled, ag tires with about 80 hours on machine.
Tractor sitting on cement, 1/2 throttle, b3 gear range. just got done pulling on drive & checking tips.
Left running, just climbed off and was on entrance side and reached back thru the station to lift up the 3 pt to put the sprayer legs up. Now mind you the forward reverse lever sticks out & moves pretty freely, although I have tightened it.
Well my left shoulder hits the reverser into reverse and we are off.
16' x 20' shop door in closed so into the door goes the sprayer, My initial thought was crap there goes the door, i gotta stop this.
I am still standing on the concrete. and instantaniously I say i will put it in nuetral as the machine in sitting there wheel hopping & just shoving my shop door in.
Well nuetral it is but as it moves so freely the reverser goes into forward and out hurls the hopping mad 4500 knocking me down with the rear wheel, I think? it was a blur and I really dont remember all from here.
The story goes on but I do no if this ever happens just think & shut the **** tractor off. or make sure you crawl up on the thing. I had left it in all ranges when I got off.
Well anyway, it knocked me down & the 4500 was just sitting & a spinning on me!!!! Yes me!! Now mind you I am not small 6'3", 275, but I do not faze the mad Deere.
It is not scared and just sits and spins the left rear tire on me.
How does this happen? Well, the legs on the sprayer were not up so it just so convieniently stayed stuck in the door when it went in reverse so it just continued to spin on me. You could see where the other 3 tires were spinning.
Oh yes, it just so happened that the FWA was engaged also.
The guy that was working for me was over getting the trailer ready so the Deere could go on. He saw what was going on & made my day when he ran over & got the raging mad Deere off of me.
Boy what a relief.!!!
I got up very slowly, and gingerly went home & took what was left of my pants off. I kept them as a memento.
I can make fun of it now but it was no laughing matter & I am licky to be writing this.
It only spun on me from my waist down. But it did a number on me, bruised everything & it was not just balck & blue. My ankle got beat into the cement. I was not going to do anything but go home & change my clothes & go back to work, but I was feeling a little sore about a half hour later so I called the wife from work & thouhgt she may want to come home & take me to the DR in Atlantic. Well she does not like to go there & she thought we needed to go to the ER in Des Moines which is 45 min away & Atlantic is 20 min away. I said fine to DSM but no Er, just to walk in. Just like you, I told them was run over by tractor & I was shoved to the front of the line.
I got xrayed & all. NO internal injuries just very very (10times) sore!!!all over.
Could hardly move. Took about 15 min of just moving around in bed the next morn just to get out of bed.
Worked the next day about 10 hours & the following 3 more than that. Not bragging but just stupid as I had work to do & when self employed you do what you have to.
I am still sore today & hips still swelled.
I just say to all be carefull, & THINK!!!!!!!!!!!

MossRoad · Dec 8, 2004

WHOLESALE FACTORY PRICES! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I might tell my spouse that's the way I want it... Direct from the factory with no dealer support, just like my PT425!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MossRoad · Dec 8, 2004

YIKES! That sounds painful and frightening. You are lucky to be alive, too. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

So, I have to ask... do you shut your tractor off now, or at least use the brakes every time you get off? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif