Watch for traffic!

[The Haymaker]

I had posted these in another thread. Figured I'd get them out in the open.

This was August 1st, 2005 On route 11 in Patten Maine. Retired guy who had bought the tractor and then gotten the local roadside mowing bid. He did not survive this crash after he turned in front of 100,000 pounds of logs.

Plastic is still on the seat. Very somber scene as I sat there waiting to be able to continue on my way. Most of the time being a "paid tourist" is a lotta fun because of what you see, but this ranks up there for places I'd rather of not been.

 

[JB4310]

That's pretty bad, must of scrambled him like an egg, cause the cab looks pretty intact. Or maybe he got ejected?

JB.

 

[CurlyDave]

I bet the engine noise from the tractor did not help his situational awareness.

You are right, the only way to be safe is to look, look, and look some more.

 

[ss4010]

HOLY COW....

I feel sorry for the operator.

Can't help to wonder with the rear of the tractor still in place just how good the traction is on those tires.

Had a close call once. I was grading the local gravel road (no the county does not maintain the roads here in the peoples republic of california) using a skidsteer. The next door neighbor instead of waiting for me to see her decides to accelerate and zip by me in her Prius while I'm backing up and filling a pothole. I was close but no sheet metal touching. At 9000lbs I think the skidsteer would have won that battle. There could not have been more than a foot of clearance to a steep 70' drop. The skidsteer would have pusher her right over. With the Prius there is no chance of hearing it (electric) while sitting on 50hp diesel at high RMP. She drives WAY to fast for small community roads (40 mph plus on a single lane 8' wide road).

Thought about going to the junk yard and buying the front end of a junked Prius and mounting it under the front bumper of my truck... It should go along well with my bumper sticker "My truck likes Iraqi fuel". I would have to change the bumper sticker though to something like "If you are what you eat, then my truck is a hybrid". I'm sure all the people in the San Francisco Bay area would appreciate that one...

 

[kebo]

That was a pretty gruesome scene I bet. Lot of blood on the left fender and pavement. One can never be too careful when operating ANY equipment, especially alongside a road or out on it.

 

[Thomas]

My word..what a shame.
<___________________> RIP.

 

[etcallhome]

Really a bad scene. Sorry for the man and lost to his family.

Just wondering if he had his seatbelt on. I'm thinking he didn't

Still a shame

Have fun and be safe!

 

[JB4310]

Really a bad scene. Sorry for the man and lost to his family.

Just wondering if he had his seatbelt on. I'm thinking he didn't

Still a shame

Have fun and be safe!

That's what I was trying to get at as it looks like the cab did not take a direct hit, must of bounced the operator around in there like a pinball before possibly ejecting him.

.

 

[Ductape]

This has got to be the same tractor, for sale currently on the Maine CL:


For sale for my mother, 2005 m6800dtc 4x4 tracktor. It was hit by a trailer truck on the front left wheel and broke in half. It has been stored ever since. for parts or repair. Trans is broke, cab has one bent post and a few windows busted, rad, condecner and coolers bent, one rim, two rear fenders, a front bearing cover and a lot of odds and end for levers and cables would put it togther. This has 8 hours on it. major parts if you was to junk it, complete rear drive and three point, two rear tires and wheels, two front tires and one wheel, motor, cab minus a few windows, front housing(needs bearing cap, front frame section.
can email pictures and can arange loading on trailer if purchased

 

[The Haymaker]

That's sad. I remember there still being plastic on the seat.

 

[Ductape]

Definitely sad. Imagine ........ she's had to look at it for five years.

 

[Tred Boyota]

Definitely sad. Imagine ........ she's had to look at it for five years.

I second that.

 

[Ductape]

Amazing first post BB. Its great to hear your family has celebrated your father's life instead of dwelling on his passing. Sorry about your father's passing, but it sounds like he had a very full life, and wonderful family. I hope the truck driver was also able to move on with life...... I can't imagine how he must have felt also. Best wishes to you and yours...... please feel free to hang around here once in awhile and contribute.

 

[Black Bart]

Forgot to mention, Dad did survive the impact. He had many broken bones, ribs on lh side, but masive head trauma. He survived about 2hrs, and died on the way to bangor from houlton in the ambulance. I was the first one to the hospital as I am accross the road. I knew he would not survive when I saw him. The halfway trip with Mom to bangor was a somber formality.

Drive safe.

On a side note, always insure your machines for accual value. Dad had changed insurance when he bought it Friday and only insured what he borrowed for money to buy it. 42,000$ tractor totaled out, paid my mother 25,000, they owed 22 on it. I sold the loader for 3500, the tractor for 4500 and had 500 in tow bills to get the tractor. Still quite a loss financially. Make sure your insured fully.

 

[Black Bart]

Just thought I would lift this into view as a warning to some who may not have seen this.

Later this spring, I will have a few items left over for sale,
bush hog, woods ditch mower, flail mower, chipper.

Next time I am at moms, I will take pictures and get accurate information on what is left.