Hello everyone,

I know this is the cat board, as I have 7 of the gas cats myself, however last weekend there was a local auction with a JD MC crawler. Pretty good shape, with a recently rebuilt motor by the local john deere dealer.

There is an interesting story that happened at the auction, prior to the start of the sale. Many people were looking at the cralwer, myself included, when the owner (an older man who could walk but not very fast) came over and wanted to start the machine to show off how well it ran. I was on the side of the machine as he stood at the rear of the machine, reaching over the seat to turn the ignition . (a huge no no). As soon as the starter started to turn over, i noticed the tracks moved- the machine was in gear- even worse it was in reverse! I yelled at him to stop as the machine was in gear, but Unfortunatly it started right up! As soon as I heard that motor start, I jumped onto the moving machine to knock it out of gear with the machine being just inches away from running him over. I'll tell you accidents happen so fast and I am so glad no one was hurt. Just a reminder to all how quick something can happen.

WOW! That's enough to make you puke at the thought. I have known too many people who got run over and maimed or killed by tractors. Seen a couple of near misses myself too.

Worst ones are newer hydraulic clutch tractors which don't necessarily start moving when the engine begins turning, they may hesitate until pressure builds up on the clutch packs and then take off with a full head of steam.

Sure glad you are telling us the story with the happy ending! and you got the tractor too!

I got a wheel tractor into my shop one time which had no key and no one could remember it ever having a key. They just kept a screwdriver in the tool box to cross onto the start wire at the solenoid while they stood in between the wheels!

Don't try this at home, kids, or anywhere else. And don't let the damned thing out of your shop until you have it fixed right or you could be a party to a nasty accident.

Hats off to Catmatt for quick thinking and acting!

Stay safe,

Jack

You must have known the levers on that one, usually things don't work out like that. Besides Cat's with starting engines, that rule of being in the seat when starting, is hard to argue with, when you consider the consequences.

I'll admit to starting my old ford 850 from the ground, clear of the tires, moving the 5 spd lever up and down and know it's in neutral, my body is clear of the tires but you still have to reach for the ignition switch on the side. The problem with that is, it becomes a habit and before you know it, you forget to check that shift lever, and you are not in the seat and you are standing a little closer, because you got comfortable with the bad habit and that is when it gets you.

Great save! I always try to take in all when I'm arround things bigger than me. But I know even with my best intentions with the way I'm moving these days, I probably wouldn't have made it into the cockpit if needed to avoid a nasty accident. That was an excellent save, I hope you were recognized for it.

Alan

Non-existant user wrote:

You must have known the levers on that one, usually things don't work out like that. Besides Cat's with starting engines, that rule of being in the seat when starting, is hard to argue with, when you consider the consequences.

I'll admit to starting my old ford 850 from the ground, clear of the tires, moving the 5 spd lever up and down and know it's in neutral, my body is clear of the tires but you still have to reach for the ignition switch on the side. The problem with that is, it becomes a habit and before you know it, you forget to check that shift lever, and you are not in the seat and you are standing a little closer, because you got comfortable with the bad habit and that is when it gets you.

With my luck that would be the one time that 850 wouldn't pop out of gear:mad: actually third is the only really bad one, of course it's the gear of choice for most jobs.

That's one trademark characteristic of those hundred series, although there are a few things to to check that solve that problem, detent ball somewhere in there and I forget what else. I've got hills around here so it's smart to keep a hand on the lever, and have good brakes, you also get good at controlling your speed if it does pop out, they pop right back into gear very smoothly with the clutch engaged if you maintain the same speed, have to be quick on the draw though, if it gets away you are locked out. 1st 2nd and 3rd will pop out of gear on mine. One thing about the old push button start switch if in-tact, it has a safety device so you can't start it in gear. These were tough old tractors.

Catmatt,
Sounds like that old feller was lucky you were there.
I have a 51 MC myself and sure do enjoy it.