Stupid, Stupid Mistake

[22Randy]

I made a careless mistake the other day that could have cost me my life that I hope no one else ever makes. I was using the tractor for the first time this year to disc the weeds down and had to make an EMERGENCY stop for a bathroom break. I pulled the clutch to stop, hit the kill switch and took off running never thinking about putting it in neutral. When I came back to continue again, it never crossed my mind that the tractor was still in gear. As soon as I pulled on the starter, the engine fired and the tractor lurched forward with me right in front of it. This is in loose, rough ground now and when I jumped back, I nearly stumbled and fell but I must have had an angel on my shoulder because I was able to recover and get out of the way. Once I got my wits about me and realized what had happened it wasn't much trouble to walk along side and get things shut down but I can't remember when I have ever been that frightened. I still get sick to the stomach and weak in the knees thinking about what the consequences of my mistake could have been.

[bruce oz]

hello randy,thank you for sharing,gave your ok ,it is easy to forget sometimes ,crank starting tractors that are driven into shed is a another way to be crushed against a wall ,be safe ,bruce oz

[3J1Bill]

Randy, glad you didn't get hurt. Lot's of weeds to disc this year. I have learned to turn over the the engine once before I turn on the key. Then I know it is in neutral for sure. One of the more dangerous times to start a tractor is when everyone is starting up their tractors for a parade with all the noise and activity. These old tractor want to work not to be stopped and started a the shows. I did figure out why they will start on the first crank if in gear. The reason is in gear you are puting in motion all of the running gear, like a giant flywheel, and once "all that weight is in motion" it starts. A trick that could save someone with a CAT 22, is what the late Bill Pack came up with, "Pull the choke out if you can't get out of the way". That did save Rod. Bill

[Arborigine]

hello randy,thank you for sharing,gave your ok ,it is easy to forget sometimes ,crank starting tractors that are driven into shed is a another way to be crushed against a wall ,be safe ,bruce oz

hehe. I worked at a mechanic shop near the beach, a rusty metal gas station building. The guy in the next stall hit a remote start button to crank a VW Rabbit during valve adjustment. It was in gear and ignition on. It pushed his toolbox thru the metal wall and into the 30 foot deep pit where they had just removed the old waste oil tank. He got out of the way, he and the car were fine but his rollaway was destroyed.
An once of prevention,,,

[Walt D7-3T]

All,

I read this post with great interest.

When I was 13 years old (I'm 68 now) I was allowed to drive some of our tractors on our ranch.

As I grew in years and experience (and finally graduated to driving our two D7's) I always rememered what my Dad taught me. NEVER, NEVER, start a tractor unless you be sure it is out of gear. There had been a few occasions when I was glad I adheared to the rule. It could have been disasterous.

So, 22Randy, thank you for reminding us of one of the main safety rules and I am extremely pleased you are still here to tell us about the situation.

[3TRob]

22Randy, this is the best thing that could have happened to you. Rarely when one is told anything do they listen, but when things like this happen you never forget. You'll be more careful now, I now that I am from starting a tractor in gear. You'll never make this mistake again.

[catsilver]

The first lesson I was taught by my father when he put me on a D4 at 9 years old was, never get off a machine before setting the park brake and engaging the clutch, that way you know its in neutral and the clutch/pilot bearing won't warm up and 'grab'.
Just a year later, one of his workmates ignored the rule and leaned over the fuel tank of the D2 to drive the winch rope out for more slack and ran over himself!! He left seven children under eleven years old.
I'm 62 now and have never ignored the rule.

[22Randy]

Thanks for the kind words guys, it was definitely a lesson learned and never to be forgotten. I ran the tractor again last week and used Bill's tip about turning it over a few times with the switch off to verify that it was in neutral. I only use the tractor a time or two each spring but I'm certain that I will never, ever make that mistake again.
Randy