Tractor accident - be careful

[JML755]

From 10-14 Detroit News:
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GLADWIN, Mich. (AP) -- Authorities say a 56-year-old man was killed when his clothing got caught in the tractor he was operating on his northern Michigan property.

The Gladwin County sheriff's department says that the man was using the tractor's post hole digger when his clothing got caught in the rotating shaft.

The Bay City Times and the Midland Daily News report it happened Saturday in Buckeye Township, about 125 miles north-northwest of Detroit.
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Just a reminder to be careful. I sometimes get a little careless/cocky around machinery myself. When I realize I did something unsafe, I say out loud something like "That was dumb. You could have been hurt" Hearing the words when you're working alone is like a good kick in the pants. Takes just a second to change your life. Last year neighbor used a table saw to rip a piece instead of going downstairs to the basement to his tablesaw. Lost a finger.

 

[JML755]

oops ".....neighbor used a RADIAL ARM saw to rip a piece instead of going downstairs to the basement to his tablesaw....."

 

[John S-B]

You can safely rip with a radial saw IF you set it up correctly and have the anti kickback teeth in place. I assume your neighbor did'nt?

 

[fixerupper]

Ripping with a table saw or a radial arm saw with out an anti-kickback can give you a bloody nose. Don't ask how I know! I saw a clip from a video a university was making showing a post hole auger being used, and one of the guys got his shirt caught in the PTO while the camera was rolling. He wasn't hurt, but in slo-mo it showed the shirt completely off his body and whipping around the shaft before he even began to react. I'm sure it's posted on the internet somewhere, but I wouldn't know where to search for it. Jim

 

[JML755]

Not sure of the details. He just said it happened fast. Probably was just in a hurry and just got his finger in the wrong place doing a job on a machine he was not used to doing it on (since he owns a tablesaw). Though, it could happen on a tablesaw or with any other tool for that matter. Another friend (VERY EXPERIENCED cabinet-maker) gouged the tip of his thumb pretty good recently on his tables. Admits he was just working too fast. The point is: THINK SAFETY FIRST.

 

[Walt Davies]

I always wonder how one gets hurt with a post hole digger on a tractor. I alway sit in the tractor seat well away from any moving parts and don't anyone near the digger when i use it.
Also never, never wear loose clothing around any machinery.
Walt

PS TIES are for city folks and don't belong on a farm.

 

[730 virgil]

when i was about 12 years old former neighbor
had laid some barb wire on ground to mark a straight line for a new fence. he had barrowed neighbors post hole digger to drill holes somehow auger picked up the wire which he grabbed to pull it away form auger which pulled him into auger and wrapped him up with the wire around the auger.

 

[Mattias]

Ouch!

 

[rrlund]

City folks. They just don't have a clue.

 

[RobMD]

operation of a post hole digger only requires you to be on the tractor safely out of reach of the driveline. I can't even imagine how someone would manage to do that from the seat.

 

[02XLT4X4]

City folks. They just don't have a clue.

Or people that have done it 1000 times and don't think it will ever happen to them.

 

[landlord7012]

There was a fella on here a year or two ago that posted pics of his 10? year old son at the controls as he was standing ON TOP of the post hole digger for weight. I wonder if that was him??

ll