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Tragic tractor accident in Ma.

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Jim K

10-30-2005 06:06:55




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This week there was a tragic tractor accident in the small town of Westminster in North Central Massachusetts. A retired gentleman "71" was killed when he was doing what he loved, pulling logs out of the woods with his tractor. Somehow the tractor rolled on top of him and was pinned. he was working alone and when somebody realized he"d been gone for to long a time, it was to late.
Sounds to me as though the tractor wheel rolled over him when he got off with it running or the park brake didn"t hold, or who knows what. Probably been doin it that way for years.
I didn"t know the man well, but I knew him. Very smart, kind person whow helped alot of people. He was a Powerplant engineer for many years.
And working with wood and his tractor was his past-time.
Very tragic accicident. I wouldn"t want to have been the one who had to find him.
I couldn"t imagine going through that.
Remember to be carefull out there especially when working alone, and think about the person that might have to come looking for you.
Jim K

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Billy NY

10-30-2005 11:18:59




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Jim K, 10-30-2005 06:06:55  
It is very sad to hear of this news, can only hope the family of this person stays strong, these kind of things are so sudden and very hard to deal with to say the least.

A lot of us are learning what many old timers know about these tractors when they were new. Event the most experienced can get caught, a matter of circumstance, unforseen, overlooked or taken for granted, things that can appear so quickly leaving no time to react or get out of the way.

Everyt situation is different, but it's when you cross the line and use the tractor beyond it's design intent that is a major risk factor, that and or a hidden stump or hole not seen, or a mechanical failure, you think you have enough time to react, but most cases you don't.

I've pulled some logs with the 850 Ford, it's got a loader on it,loaded tires and I have an excellent 3pt mount counter weight, heavy cast iron ( 1000-1500 lbs easy ) on a 9 hole draw bar that I can just about drag on the ground, but is also not bearing on the Hyd. system the way it's set up, you can hook the tow line on it or the drawbar mount, as low to the ground as you can, it tolerates quite a bit from what I've done so far, have towed logs up hill and not had the front end even feel light yet, but if that log ever got hung up.....N/G... so I've tested the waters, but feel it's not worth the risk, this one can pop out of gear, have new tight brakes but have gotten a pant leg caught on the pedals, that happening at the wrong time is a bad thing. It's strong, well balanced and seemingly ballasted enough to keep you out of trouble, but get greedy with it, don't want to think about that. I am fortunate to have a large dozer, and just save any sizeable logs for it, but you know what happens, your there already, it'll pull it, might take a try at it, the more you get away with it, the more you might attempt to do, really have to stop and think sometimes.

I can't imagine how the 8N's and similar ones perform without weight in the front etc. and people have used these for years for things besides agricultural work, I guess you get feel for what you can and cannot do, then you get a younger generation person who buys one of these as an affordable tractor to help clear a lot or other part time work, decides to hook up to the top link pin ( which is suicide ) and may not have the experience other people may have, that person is at risk, makes you wish you could get the message out a little stronger somehow.

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Mike3501

10-30-2005 11:56:41




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Billy NY, 10-30-2005 11:18:59  
I think you just did Bill



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dave from MN

10-30-2005 10:49:47




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Jim K, 10-30-2005 06:06:55  
Lots of funny things can happen pulling and yanking on trees down or not. I used to use the H for it but soon realized an H is no match for a tree that wants to go the other way, it'ss just drag with it. Use a big heavy tractor!!! Also one of the biggest reason people shortcut locking the brakes is that alot of locks are set up goofy. I modify all my break locks so they are easy to reach and use. I also put reminder stickers on the tractor now to remind dismounting drivers to lock brakes and also to shut off engine if hooking up or working on PTO driven machinery.

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Bernie in MA

10-30-2005 09:45:31




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Jim K, 10-30-2005 06:06:55  
Where abouts in MA are you? I'm about 30 miles west of Leominster.



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Jim K

10-30-2005 13:44:32




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Bernie in MA, 10-30-2005 09:45:31  
I am actually in Winchendon, sounds like you might be in orange or Erving.?



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Joe in MN

10-30-2005 07:36:38




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Jim K, 10-30-2005 06:06:55  
Your sure right about that Jim, as I was doing the same thing this last Saturday, pulling logs out of the woods, (( ON a HILL )) have to be very very careful, and I am also a Licensed Power Plant Engineer, but retired, I'v had a few close calls, but was able to stop the tractor with the front end loader, some times the chain will break on me and have to (BE READY) and take action when that happens, it just takes a few seconds. You can NEVER be too careful Jim, I cut and burn about 12 cords of wood each year, and do it myself with no help, but it's good exercise for my age. Just this summmer, one of our neighbors was doing the same thing, and the brakes failed on his tractor and it killed him, so it happens all the time in all ages, Just be careful and pray as you go. cause you NEVER KNOW...

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Coldiron

10-30-2005 09:56:37




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 Re: Tragic tractor accident in Ma. in reply to Joe in MN, 10-30-2005 07:36:38  
Must be a lot of us old steamers out there working with tractors. I retired as a licensed Steam Engineer after 45 yrs to continue use of my 51 8n that I have used for 26+ yrs for wood lot and various uses. There is always a certain danger when using tractors and one mistake could be fatal. The desire to yank or jerk a stuck log to save getting down and adjusting the tongs, choker or drag chain just isnt worth it. SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY Using a tractor for what it was made for is dangerous enough but when we go beyond the designed uses that danger increases greatly. Sorry that his family has to go through the loss this way.

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