ROPS & Seatbelts WORK!!

[troutsqueezer]

Good post. :thumbsup:

 

[Ed of all trades]

Don't feel like we are shaking our finger at you, we are not. Every one of us who has had much time in a tractor seat is remembering when he did something and was blessed to walk away unhurt. Some of us remember times when the lesson cost a bit more. You just learned a lesson and we were reminded of the lessons we have learned. Thanks for posting. Ed

 

[riptides]

Well, you are ok. That is good. Don't second guess leaving an unstable platform. If you have ROPS and a seat belt, use them. You did right.

 

[rd_macgregor]

It warms my heart to see somebody doing work with the ROPS NOT folded! Too many folks fold down the ROPS so they can drive it into their shed or garage, then start to get lazy about putting it back up when they are doing work. This thread shows how quickly things can go wrong, even on fairly flat terrain. A folded ROPS just can't do the job it is designed to do. I don't know if the OP might have been injured had his ROPS been folded, but having it up and locked in place certainly made injury less likely. Good job there!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I only ever put on a seat belt when I think I am in danger. It's my neck, but it's just too much hassle. I flipped my first tractor this summer, albeit just my little steiner. Quite disorienting, trying to get the thing shut off in a hurry. Where did the key go? I'm glad I wasn't strapped in as I might have gotten caught under it, rather then jumping away.

Ballast is important, but a lot of ballast on a small tractor can present a problem of it's own. Sure, the front is balanced with the back when the loader is full, but it can be a lot of weight in motion.

 

[GreenYellow]

Good post Gary. Glad you're unscathed. Thanks for the reminder.

I know you don't need any "what you did wrong is..." commentary. I suspect you're pretty clear on that.

What you did RIGHT is wear your seatbelt. Kudos to you.

 

[sdef]

No worries. You are okay and learned from the experience in a relatively inexpensive manner. I have had many tractor experiences I learned from also, with the most frightening having a corner of the bucket caught under a root, boulder, whatever, while clearing land and have the tractor very quickly lurch/layover towards one side and almost roll to one side quickly as the bucket is being raised. Severe pucker factor and thoughtful, quick handling required immediately. Actually, in this case I quickly lowered the 3PH weight and shut off the engine as the tractor teetered and I climbed off the high side to clean myself up -)) and assess the situation. Not too many second chances here, but I got one. Very careful handling of the FEL with the tractor powered off saved the day.

In time it will become second nature to carefully lower the 3PH weight towards the ground to lower the center of gravity and control the bucket as required. Just takes experience with negative situations and smooth handling based upon experience. With smooth handling being a critical skill.

Of course, I agree with the posters stating a heavy bucket must be kept close to the ground, else a rollover is much more likely to happen. Practicing this, I have never had a potential rollover issue with a loaded bucket and my tractor is worked to it maximum capabilities and beyond often.

I no longer wear my seat belt while using the tractor at slow working speeds on relatively level ground, as it has me tied to the seat with nowhere to go except where the tractor decides to go in an unexpected maneuver. Plus I often stand up often while working the FEL on my HST tractor so I can better see what is going on, with the tractor nearly stationary. And yes my ROPs is always in its proper place- up.

 

[bwalley]

Happy you didn't get hurt. Some ego ice would probably help.

 

[Garycw]

Don't feel like we are shaking our finger at you, we are not. Every one of us who has had much time in a tractor seat is remembering when he did something and was blessed to walk away unhurt. Some of us remember times when the lesson cost a bit more. You just learned a lesson and we were reminded of the lessons we have learned. Thanks for posting. Ed

I don't think that at all. I do like constructive criticism and tips that I and others might learn from though.

Well, you are ok. That is good. Don't second guess leaving an unstable platform. If you have ROPS and a seat belt, use them. You did right.

I felt I was wise to have ROPS fully up and seatbelt on. Anytime the loaders on there up and on. I also have no problem leaving a unstable machine quickly. I just don't know how quick I'm am anymore in my 60's. Also had a total hip replacement last October after being ran over by another tractor. I'm all for jumping though if need be such as a tractor w/o ROPS & belt.

It warms my heart to see somebody doing work with the ROPS NOT folded! Too many folks fold down the ROPS so they can drive it into their shed or garage, then start to get lazy about putting it back up when they are doing work. This thread shows how quickly things can go wrong, even on fairly flat terrain. A folded ROPS just can't do the job it is designed to do. I don't know if the OP might have been injured had his ROPS been folded, but having it up and locked in place certainly made injury less likely. Good job there!

I hope others learn from this too that they DO work. First time I've ever tested one and hope the last. Even though this was a scut and a somewhat mild roll over, it could have certainly been deadly. All I can say is Use Them! Your family will thank you!
Did get the rest of the 10" gravel spread and leveled today Very carefully. Added more ballast and kept bucket 2" off ground. Still had to drop the bucket a cpl times removing the gravel ramp.

 

[Clay45]

I know I'm not going to jump. I'm disabled and don't get around well on level ground as it is. My big feet catch on the underside of throttle or clutch and other doodads as it is. Atleast my ROPS is rigid. Don't like the seatbelt much but I use it most of the time.

My little Yanmar doesn't have a ROPS so I don't have a seatbelt on it. Hope I can spring enough if the time ever comes!

 

[sdef]

Yep. There are few absolutes in this life and one can only do the best one can do under the circumstances.

 

[gladehound]

Good post. We all neglect safety now and again for convenience and stuff like this is a good reminder. The only time I wear my seat belt is when I'm roading the tractor (Wouldn't want to get flung out if I got clipped by another vehicle) or using the FEL on a hill. I really should wear the seat belt more often than I do. If I did start to roll without the seat belt I would not attempt to jump clear of the tractor. I would just hold on to the handles, steering wheel, inside of cage etc. and try to stay put until it stopped moving. It isn't that I don't think I could jump clear, I think I could. But something can always go wrong. Heck, a piece of cloths can get caught on a lever. Then you're half on, half off and that is definitely not where you want to be.

 

[bcp]

There is another post on TBN about "Tipping Etiquette." I think you did alright.

1. You survived

2. Tractor survived

3. You took photos

4. You posted them here for us to analyze.

You're a good tipper. Please don't try to improve.

Bruce

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

There is another post on TBN about "Tipping Etiquette." I think you did alright.

1. You survived

2. Tractor survived

3. You took photos

4. You posted them here for us to analyze.

You're a good tipper. Please don't try to improve.

Bruce

:drink::thumbsup:
Excellent reply! Keep up the good work.

 

[farmer2009]

Yeah I'm not in the jumping crowd either. Just to many if's.

Wife's uncle. He had a shop fire and had moved his fuel tanks for a rebuild. Two lane state highway cuts thru his property. Tanks are on top of a 6' bank cut by the highway. Backs a newly purchased 165 MF up to fuel tanks. Not his only tractor. Breaks don't hold as he tries to stop. Off the bank he goes backwards. No ROPS. He decides to jump foot gets caught on brake pedals. As tractor goes over backwards at about a 45* angle to bank. He gets clear of tractor lands with his head on the yellow line. Tractor bounces and lands on his hips. Crushed his pelvis. He ended up flown from the scene. They pieced his pelvis and hips back together and he can walk but has trouble getting around.

He's lucky he didn't land in front of somebody or in front of a tractor trailer. He knew brakes were iffy but they had been holding and stopping tractor.

 

[Garycw]

One more heads up tip on the JD1025/1023's. I've had the park brake release twice now on its own after being set and off tractor. Not sure if it wasn't "fully" engaged, but it was set. Could be a JD issue on this model/ type of park brake or not. I just don't trust them now.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I read through this pretty quick (maybe asked and answered) but I am looking at your ballast. Is that a big boulder in your back scoop? If it is maybe it didn't help when the weight shifted on the tractor (it shifted as well and helped pull you over).

Also, how did you right the machine? You let it sit a bit before restarting (drain down?)

 

[Garycw]

The Boulder in scoop didn't shift, but the whole 3pt was a little wobbly. Turn buckles needed tightened. A small stabilizer bar would be nice too.
I turned it back over with a chain and ford 841. I didn't let it sit long enough before trying to start. The starter would only start to turn over then stop. Waited about 30 min and it started and burnt off the oil. Finished spreading gravel next day without incident.