The Farm Tractor in the Woodlot

[Gypo Logger]

The farm tractor, although versatile and productive in small logging operations can be very dangerous as well.

INVESTIGATION

On Wednesday, August 14, 2002, the contractor came to the farm location at approximately 9:00AM. The elderly farm owner could hear the contractor’s tractor dragging logs from the wooded portion of the farm to the loading area near the roadway. The elderly farmer last heard the tractor running at approximately 1:30PM as she fell asleep in the farmhouse. The farmer woke up around 3:15PM and did not hear the tractor running at that time. She thought that this was unusual since the contractor usually worked until 5:00PM each day. The elderly farmer took a walk at approximately 4:00PM along the back farm lane in order to check on the contractor and to see why she did not hear the tractor running.

As the farmer was walking down the farm lane she discovered the tractor overturned to the rear on top of the victim. She called to the victim, got no response, and surmised that he was no longer alive. She returned to the farmhouse and called 911 to report the incident. The local fire rescue squad along with the county sheriff responded to the incident location. Emergency responders could find no signs of life. Equipment was brought in to remove the tractor from on top of the victim. The coroner was also called to the scene and pronounced the victim dead at the scene at 5:03PM.

Prior to the incident, the victim had been dragging an 88-foot hemlock log with a butt diameter of 20 inches behind his 1969 vintage David Brown 990 tractor, an agricultural style tractor weighing approximately 4,600 pounds (see Photo 1). He utilized a logging chain that was wrapped around the butt end of the log and was connected to the back end of the tractor at the upper link of the three-point hitch. This location is well above the axis of the rear axle of the tractor and is not a hitching location. The drawbar hitch is approximately 3 feet below the location of the upper link. Normally, hitching points on this style tractor would be the drawbar or connections to the lower three-point hitch arms. Additionally, the tractor was travelling up a 20-degree incline at the time of the rearward overturn. In addition to the improper hitching technique and the effects of the incline, the mass of the 88-foot log significantly impacted the drag on the tractor. This log was skidding along the ground and it is very likely that the butt end of the log dug into the soil, which anchored the log, and resulted in stopping the tractor. Since the tractor drive wheels were turning with the tractor being anchored from behind, the rotational movement through the axles and wheels resulted in the tractor rotating backwards around the rear axle, coming to a rest upside down on the victim. Rearward overturns such as this occur in less than one seconds’ time thus not allowing the operator sufficient reaction time to avoid the overturn. The victim remained in the operator location during the overturn being pinned underneath the tractor with his knees crushed up against his chest. It is believed that the overturn may have occurred up to one hour before being discovered by the elderly farmer, although it is believed that he died immediately following the overturn.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Here's another equally crazy thing that got an operator killed.
Although alot of accidents cannot be predicted, ones like these can.
It really makes me want to get a FOPS though for my tractor.
This reminds me of the story Spacemule told us awhile back.
John

Part-time Logger Pinned by Tractor Wheel after Being Knocked from Operator's Seat by Falling Tree


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SUMMARY:

A 56-year-old male part-time logger (the victim) died while trying to push over a dead tree with a tractor when he was knocked off the tractor and pinned under the rear tire. The incident occurred on an 80-acre plot of partially wooded land owned by the victim, along a logging road. Three volunteer co-workers were assisting the victim in clearing dead and fallen trees from the road. The victim was operating a Ford 4000 farm tractor with a front bucket attachment to knock down and remove trees, with a co-worker standing by for assistance. Another co-worker was cutting a tree nearby, while the fourth worker was moving a truck to avoid having it be struck by falling trees. The victim elevated the bucket till it was about ten feet high, then struck the trunk of a decayed tree with the bucket. The tree did not fall, so he struck it again with the bucket. This time, the top half of the tree cracked off and fell toward the victim sitting in the tractor seat. He leaned to the right to avoid the falling tree, but was knocked from the seat and fell in front of the right rear tractor tire. The tractor came to rest with the tire on his chest. The standby co-worker yelled for help, and the other two co-workers ran immediately to the scene. They pulled a large log in front of the tractor tire where the victim was pinned, then one co-worker drove the tractor forward onto the log while the other two pulled the victim out from behind the tire. One co-worker drove to a cabin to phone for help, while the others initiated CPR. EMS responders were at the scene in eleven minutes, and the victim was transported to a hospital. Advanced cardiac life support protocols were initiated in the ambulance and continued at the emergency room, where the victim expired.

 

[musher]

Rearward overturns such as this occur in less than one seconds’ time thus not allowing the operator sufficient reaction time to avoid the overturn.

talk about kickback!

 

[Gypo Logger]

Another very unfortunate set of circumstances.
John

Farmer Killed on Tractor During Logging Operations


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SUMMARY

A 21-year-old male was killed when he and his 19-year-old brother were engaged in logging activities their grandparents' farmland. They both had grown up helping with the family farm and for the last two years their primary source of income was cutting trees on the land to sell for firewood. After cutting down the trees, the normal routine was for the younger brother to operate the tractor to pull the trees to a clearing where they would be cut into pieces. Although the victim had experience operating tractors, he had never performed that particular task. Because there was no drawbar on the 1950 Massey Ferguson (model 30) tractor they used to pull the trees, they hitched a chain at a higher point than is recommended. After working for about 30 minutes, the two brothers got into a small argument. The victim stated that he also wanted to perform the task of hauling the trees to the clearing and got onto the tractor to pull a log which had been secured with the tow chain. Nearly immediately the tractor reared backwards and flipped over onto its side, trapping the victim underneath the steering wheel and fender. The tractor was not equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). The younger brother witnessed the incident and ran to the grandparents' house and called 911 then drove another tractor back to the site and pulled the tractor off his brother's body. By this time rescue squads arrived but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Tragic stories John.

Even my 50's IH Super C has the power to lift it's front wheels off the ground. I've had it happen several times but have been quick on the clutch and lucky.

Dan

It seems that every year at least one person is killed on a tractor doing tree work.
They tell the farmers, when pulling logs to,"hitch them low and pull them slow", but even that method has it's dangers since the butt end can get hung up on logs and rocks etc. This is why a 3PH logging winch is so important to have.
The main drawback with a tractor in the woods is it's weight distribution.
A log skidder is 40% rear 60% front, while a tractor is opposite.
4WD and a loader on the tractor will offset this.
The advantage to the winch is that you can easily drop the load when in a technical situation and winch it back to you.
Using a drawbar obligates you to drive to every stump.
John

 

[geofore]

wheelstand

Hey John, you'd think they would know enough to push in the clutch and the front drops back to the ground. Once she starts up, short of breaking both axles she's going over if you hit the brakes by mistake. The brakes won't stop the tractor from going over. You have to disengage the drivetrain because it's unlikely you'll break both or even one axle. The only way to stop the power to the wheels is a foot applied hard on the clutch.
Puts me in mind of the time Harold tried to pull out a pine and darn near upset the JD. He was going to move it to the other side of the driveway. Ran water on the roots all day. Next morning, water still running. Chain around the trunk and he let the JD fly. It was pointing to the clouds before he found the clutch. I took a chainsaw to the pine and told him we'd plant a new pine before he killed himself. We had a good laugh about it but he scared himself good.
I'd be willing to bet these guys went for the brakes and not the clutch.

 

[geofore]

Off the topic

John you know how nothing ever goes wrong on the job? Jeff got a new Bobcat last November, he drove overtop his 044 today with it. Missed my 7900.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hey John, you'd think they would know enough to push in the clutch and the front drops back to the ground. Once she starts up, short of breaking both axles she's going over if you hit the brakes by mistake. The brakes won't stop the tractor from going over. You have to disengage the drivetrain because it's unlikely you'll break both or even one axle. The only way to stop the power to the wheels is a foot applied hard on the clutch.
Puts me in mind of the time Harold tried to pull out a pine and darn near upset the JD. He was going to move it to the other side of the driveway. Ran water on the roots all day. Next morning, water still running. Chain around the trunk and he let the JD fly. It was pointing to the clouds before he found the clutch. I took a chainsaw to the pine and told him we'd plant a new pine before he killed himself. We had a good laugh about it but he scared himself good.
I'd be willing to bet these guys went for the brakes and not the clutch.

Ya, it makes you wonder why a person would hit the binders as opposed to the clutch when something reals up.
A good size log can boss around a tractor quite easy in some situations.
I think what happens alot of times is that the operator doesn't think far enough in advance and makes decisions as he goes.
It's dangerous enough as it is and he need to think ahead and think fast when things go wrong.
Here's another senseless fatality.
John

SUBJECT: Farmer dies when a tree falls on him from a front end loader-- Iowa.

Summary

A 61-year-old male farmer working alone in his timber was killed while using a tractor equipped with a front end loader and a backhoe. He was using the machine to move logs and downed trees into position for cutting into firewood. He had cut down a large tree with multiple limbs and was carrying it with the loader when it apparently rolled off the bucket and a branch struck him in the face and neck area pinning him to the tractor. The tractor had no ROPS, nor was the man wearing any head protection. His wife found him in the tractor seat, with head and neck injuries and bluish complexion. The tractor was tilted to the side with the right rear wheel raised and the engine still running. His wife tried to rescue him by using the backhoe and bucket hydraulics, but in the process tipped the tractor over, throwing both of them clear of the machine. CPR was attempted by the wife and later by emergency personnel when they arrived, but it was unsuccessful, and the farmer was pronounced dead at the local hospital.

 

[geofore]

who's the boss?

One time, far end of the job, up on the hill I pull a log. Thought I was in one of those roadrunner cartoons. Jim said it's soft over there when it rains but it hasn't rained for two weeks so you'll be alright dragging them down the hill instead of hauling them all the way around, it'll save us a day, day and a half. Chain up and start down, the tractor starts to slide, then spins around still sliding. I got it to stop against the bank, thinking boy it was a good thing I put the tire chains on today. Then the log, still chained slides under the tractor and as soon as it reached the length of the chain, me and the tractor take to following it down the hill. I got the tractor into reverse thinking it would at least slow her down then the tires lose all traction, tire chains quit working. Slid a few hundred feet before the log hit a tree and I got the tractor stopped. The rest of the logs got dragged all the way around the mountian. Took two days extra but I wasn't going to try the hill a second time.
Walked the road, artisian well/spring on that hillside keeping the road wet. Little bit of water a few air bubbles then a little more water. Should have reeled the chain in tight before I moved. Momentary mental lapse aka brainfart. :jawdrop:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

When i hook to the 3 point of my tractor, i have the 3 point lowered. I take off in low gear to get a feel of the load, and raise the 3 point slowely. I keep the motor RPM low, and then once i'm clear of the woods, i then can speed up a bit. There's no way my tractor is going over backwards because of a load on the 3 point the way i handle it. Of course, i don't use an undersized or wimpy tractor to skid with either.

All tractors "aren't" created equil, even though they "all" are called tractors!

I'm the only one that skids with my tractor, and in all the years i've been doing it, i've never even had a hint of the front comeing off the ground.

Rob

 

[JimL]

A few years ago there were 3 different cases of men that got killed one fall.
They were all skidding logs with small 8n-9n ford tractors..

 

[woodfarmer]

i hate to say it rob, but thats why they call them accidents, its when you least expect it something happens. i just hope you have rollover protection on your tractor

 

[Gypo Logger]

Here's a Red Elm. It's pretty tough stuff and hard to break any branches.
John

 

[Gypo Logger]

The wood makes real good exterior doors.
John

 

[Husky288XP]

Is there a big market for red elm up there?

 

[Gypo Logger]

20" tip, 12' long, 192 board feet, 2350 pounds.
John

 

[Gypo Logger]

Is there a big market for red elm up there?

Hi Steve, as veneer it's about 2$/ft, but Red Elm is very uncommon. I find a good one about every 500 acres and I try to leave them alone.
John

 

[Gypo Logger]

Here we are at the sawmill. I found a local sawyer, he's an engineer, but is that a good thing?
John

 

[Dennis Cahoon]

Gypo...here's a few pictures of a tree I helped my buddy take this weekend.(I was his groundie) It's Sycamore about 38 to 40 inches on the stump. He had to climb it and top it before we could fall it. There's a bigger one beside it, we'll take out next weekend. I get the logs for helping.

 

[Dennis Cahoon]

After topping it, Ron fell the 60 or 70 foot stub.