PTO safety shields

[mikester]

Brutal photos but thanks for posting. Reminds me why I don't like using old equipment with no safety guards.

Anyone contemplating removing their PTO safety guards needs to have a good look at those pics to understand why they were put on in the first place.

It's one thing to win your own Darwin award, unfortunately the guys who defeat safeties and claim to know better tend to turn clueless bystanders into unintended victims. Then it's always someone elses fault.

 

[workinonit]

All of my shaft covers are still on. I don't secure them so they don't spin like you are supposed to. That sheild on my tractor was the first thing that I removed. There is a far greater danger of a shaft coming apart and whopping me in the head than me getting involved in it's rotation.

 

[Tinhack]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned putting screw caps over gun barrels.

Lets see; We have seat switches, gear switches, brake switches, clutch switches, seatbelt switches, PTO switches, oil pressure switches, air cleaner switches, fuel switches and probably 5-10 more I missed. It's no wonder the new tractors have computers and cost so much. The operators are too stupid to run them.

All my equipment is old like me. None of my shafts have covers. The tractors have a flip up shield covering the output shaft but that's it. My flail mower has two rotating shafts and the back of the 3-belt drive is open. I guess I'm smart enough or at least not dumb enough to go sticking parts of my body in there. Hard to do anyway since I'm the only one who uses the equipment.

And another thing... If you are one of those idiots that buy a new tractor, implement or attachment and call it a "New Toy", make sure your life insurance is up to date and able to sustain your family when YOU kill yourself. Don't be blaming the tractor. It doesn't know you're stupid.

 

[Beeenvenue]

For all who run pto covers - how many of you have bypassed your seat interlocks? Have gone to the trouble of installing a seat interlock if your tractor didn’t come with one? Drive 10mph above the speed limit? Tailgate? Driven when you “were just a little buzzed” (or worse?)

I guarantee the last three have resulted in 100x or more deaths than an uncovered pto, and likely just as many or more young kids as victims.

 

[MoKelly]

I agree the shields are inconvenient and a pain. Fully agree.

I also stay clear of the PTO when it’s running.

I try to be careful around equipment.

But - I get tired. I get impatient. I get frustrated having to turn off the PTO, get off the machine, move a branch, get back on the machine, re-engage the PTO - more than a few times.

I also remember what my Mom once told me - I’ve never forgot - “accidents don’t happen on purpose”.

So, I have left the PTO shield on and do not disconnect the safety switches.

Just me.

MoKelly