Hope he recovers quickly. And hope hid Dad hangs on for a while, probably mean a lot to him to know his son makes a full recovery.
My good friend was run over by his skidder today...
- Thread starter Oldtimer
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SliverPicker
ArboristSite Guru
A broken femur is considered "life threatening" because of the significant risk of blood clots. He'll be back whackin' and stackin' in no time. It could have been much worse. My thoughts go out to him.
treeslayer2003
Addicted to ArboristSite
i'm very sorry to hear of this. I have done it many times. thoughts and prayers out to them.
Wow. That's terrible. I hope he makes a full recovery.
*Warning; safety rant ahead* (In maybe the wrong place, sorr)
But at the same time it's hard to believe that machine was left in gear. I get it's easier to park it in gear to keep it from rolling than putting it in neutral and setting the brake, but... I mean, it's not worth that small amount of time. Because things like this happen. And that's unacceptable. If it's a maintenance issue to where it's a requirement to hit the solenoid manually from outside of the cab, then it needs to be addressed. The scenario that precipitated that is unacceptable. Maybe I'm a 28 year old crew boss/mechanic who used to be a fire department guy, not at all making me an old timer, but it's unacceptable.
*Warning; safety rant ahead* (In maybe the wrong place, sorr)
But at the same time it's hard to believe that machine was left in gear. I get it's easier to park it in gear to keep it from rolling than putting it in neutral and setting the brake, but... I mean, it's not worth that small amount of time. Because things like this happen. And that's unacceptable. If it's a maintenance issue to where it's a requirement to hit the solenoid manually from outside of the cab, then it needs to be addressed. The scenario that precipitated that is unacceptable. Maybe I'm a 28 year old crew boss/mechanic who used to be a fire department guy, not at all making me an old timer, but it's unacceptable.
KenJax Tree
Terraphobic
This thread is from February im sure he's doing well now
Sent from my AutoTune carb
Sent from my AutoTune carb
colson04
ArboristSite Operative
While I hope the guy recovered fully, I have to agree with castbuster about fixing the electrical issue that caused the event. We have several tractors on the farm, but all have safety caps over the starter solenoid lugs to prevent this event from happening. Equipment should be started with the operator in a position to be in control of the equipment (ie: operators seat). If the starter switch is broken, it should have been fixed. There are no excuses for putting off basic safety practices.
Hope there's better things ahead for that family.
You probably wear chaps, hard hat with face shield, safety shoes, gloves, and earplugs right....
Some of us don't have time for that, or for crawling in the cab of a machine that's seat is 6' off the ground. Fact is its just easier to start the machine on the ground, especially first thing in the morning when you still have to grease it up, fuel it up, and give it a once over while she's warming up. Granted it is safer to crawl in and start it from the sitting position, its also safer to work behind a desk, sitting. Fact is **** happens, we all do what we have to to get through the day, the risk is on us. I'm betting the starter button was working fine.
no I don't wear chaps, special booties, a face sheild, and rarely wear glove unless I'm handling cable... then I wear gloves. Safety nazis be damned.
treeslayer2003
Addicted to ArboristSite
safety starts in yer head, that dude made a mistake plain and simple.
colson04
ArboristSite Operative
Easier is not safer. There is a reason they don't put the starter button on the side of the machine, accessible from the ground. You can't control the machine from the ground.
We've got 8 tractors, 4 skid loaders, wheel loader and a dozer and not one of them is ever started from the ground. Not worth the risk of someone leaving it in gear when they shut it off. More importantly, it's not worth the risk to your family. You don't save that much time starting the machine on the ground vs. climbing in, but in those few saved seconds, you could wind up like the OP's friend and find yourself in the hospital for several months, or worse. If you are the sole provider for your family, they not only lose you, but the income your provided to take care of the family. Depending on your life insurance plan (if you have one), most won't cover that event because you incorrectly operated that machine.
Yes, you are assuming the risk and you know there is a risk, but there are more people affected by this decision than just yourself.
Blazin
Addicted to ArboristSite
Remember 6' feet off the ground is a long way
Someone has to make the statistics.....
Actually a Deere starter button is easily accessable from the ground, in fact I'm not sure I've ever started it sitting down, same goes for the tractor, in fact the old 9n is a pain in the ass to start sitting in the seat, especially with a crooked foot...
Life insurance pays off now matter how you accidentally you offed yourself, some plans even cover suicide, kinda the whole point of life insurance...
I'm done here, its sucks that oldtimer's buddy got hurt, we should all learn a lesson from it, and that's to be more careful, nothing more. With every risk comes reward, leave it at that.
Life insurance pays off now matter how you accidentally you offed yourself, some plans even cover suicide, kinda the whole point of life insurance...
I'm done here, its sucks that oldtimer's buddy got hurt, we should all learn a lesson from it, and that's to be more careful, nothing more. With every risk comes reward, leave it at that.
Blazin
Addicted to ArboristSite
Oh really, which Deere we talkin about? There's a 440D in my yard right now that says otherwise, unless you're 8' tall. Laziness is no excuse for life insurance. If you gotta death wish, quit ****ing around and get it over with....
treeslayer2003
Addicted to ArboristSite
meh, I can start my 540 from the ground and do so often. I can also make sure it is in park and do so.
4x4American
Got Sawdust?
I start our NH TN75, Ford 6610, and Ford TW5 from the ground. Everytime I start them I double check to make sure they're in neutral.
nmurph
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Yep, and you won't get out of a six foot hole for an eternity.
I don't agree with every safety gizmo that babysits us through life. But to cavalierly dismiss common sense safety practices is foolish. Keep playing with fire and you WILL get burned...you can take that to the Bank of Darwin.
firebrick43
Life is all about big saws
Remember safety doesn't just affect you. His family and I bet he sure wishes he took time for safety. Time in and out the have proven that ppe and safe procedures saves time by reducing injury time.
According to my calcs, 5 mins extra everyday means 20 hours a year. The gentalman that injured is going to be off at least a month which will take at least 8 years to make up for those 5 min a day it would of took. Does not even take account the time it will take to pay off the medical bills and lost income.
Things like putting in ear plugs takes no time if you make it a habit to stick them in. Your wife and kids will love it if you are not deaf and have the tv blaring. Hearing aids cost several grand now. Never met someone with hearing aids say they were glad that they saved so much time. They all talk about how much of life they lost and wish they had worn hearing protection. If you find ear plugs uncomfortable your local industrial supply shop will have 20+ styles and one more will fit. I found the common sizes caused severe pain but once I found some Howard light lazer lites that fit my ear well I wear them 8 hours plus and even made if home forgetting them in. Always a pair in the pocket to the disdain of my wife doing laundry but she says nothing as she has seen what heavy machinery has done to my father and grandfathers hearing.
According to my calcs, 5 mins extra everyday means 20 hours a year. The gentalman that injured is going to be off at least a month which will take at least 8 years to make up for those 5 min a day it would of took. Does not even take account the time it will take to pay off the medical bills and lost income.
Things like putting in ear plugs takes no time if you make it a habit to stick them in. Your wife and kids will love it if you are not deaf and have the tv blaring. Hearing aids cost several grand now. Never met someone with hearing aids say they were glad that they saved so much time. They all talk about how much of life they lost and wish they had worn hearing protection. If you find ear plugs uncomfortable your local industrial supply shop will have 20+ styles and one more will fit. I found the common sizes caused severe pain but once I found some Howard light lazer lites that fit my ear well I wear them 8 hours plus and even made if home forgetting them in. Always a pair in the pocket to the disdain of my wife doing laundry but she says nothing as she has seen what heavy machinery has done to my father and grandfathers hearing.
4x4American
Got Sawdust?
howard leight laser lites are awesome, not very good at being washed they suck up all that water and dont dry out quick. you gotta good point
