Walking under a FEL

[Mosey]

Do any of you ever walk under your FEL, even if it's empty? Just what are the dangers? It seems to me that if a line broke or something, it still wouldn't drop instantly. I don't own a FEL (yet), but I don't think I would walk under one.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

No, I do not walk under my raised FEL, nor would I ever let anyone. Might not be a problem but I sure don't want to find out!

 

[Thomas]

Not wise..you never know. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gifIf fel needs attendion I raise the fel than place a strong board or metal pipe under the bucket,than release the pressure also make sure the parking brake engage and the motor off.

 

[rocky2]

Many a person is squished under loader booms, or raised dump bodies that they thought they could get out from under, or they "wouldn't drop instantly". For gawd knows whatever reason you have to go under a raised boom, secure at least one cylinder with a sleeve that prevents the cylinder from compressing.

 

[hazmat]

<font color=blue>It seems to me that if a line broke or something, it still wouldn't drop instantly</font color=blue>

Not instantly, but pretty darn fast!

 

[HalseyGreen]

Several years ago someone ran a story of a mechanic being crusched between a FEL and the front of the tractor he was working on. Kind of made me rethink some of the things I had done around my FEL. Never again unless its blocked up.

 

[Mosey]

One of the reasons I asked is because my neighbor walks under his all the time. I didn't think it was wise, but he's my elder and didn't think it was my place to tell him what to do.

I remember when I was growing up, a local junk yard owner used to get under cars all the time after lifting them with the wrecker boom! He never used jack stands or anything. It was an old wrecker too, kind of a home built deal that he welded together himself. That old rusty cable could have snapped at any moment! Nothing ever happened to him, though.

 

[beenthere]

I guess the point being is that just because it didn't happen, doesn't mean that it can't happen. I don't 'work' under mine, but I on occasion have ducked under it quickly. Really it is very seldom I am off the tractor with the loader in the air high enough to get under it. But if one can walk around, it is best to get into that habit rather than take the slight chance that something will fail.

Much more dangerous whenever we get into our car and on the road. But we don't give that danger much thought, do we.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

About a year ago a young guy working for Clarke Industrial Equipment in our area was killed when the hydraulic jack he was using failed. He was crushed under a forklift because he relied on the hydraulics alone to support the truck. He left behind a wife and a 2 year old daughter.

So in answer to your question, no I don't think anyone should walk under an unsupported raised FEL.

 

[rdbrumfield]

For working on my loader, or around the front of the tractor, I have cut a piece of 2" angle iron that will lay on the extended lift cylinder. I lay it then let the loader down till it stops. Works well.