Cat Operating Safety Tip

Dennis,
That is a very good saftey tip for everyone to pay attention to.
Here are a few more from ACMOC:

ACMOC Safety Rules:

1. Do not climb on the machines unless the owner is present and you have his/her permission.

2. Stay back a minimum of 15 feet from any operating equipment.

3. Operate a machine only if:

a. You are 16 years of age or older.

b. You are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

c. You have attended a safety training class within the last 5 days.

d. You have the permission of the owner.

e. You know how to operate the specific piece of equipment and you can do it safely.

f. Riders are permitted on equipment only if the machine has a seat designed specifically for a passenger other than the operator.

g. Make sure all work tools have been lowered and are resting on the ground before leaving a machine. That includes buckets, blades, rippers, aprons, etc.

h. Stay alert to machine movement as you walk around the show grounds.

i. Maintain direct personal control of your children and pets. All pets must be on a leash.

j. Exercise care when approaching a parked machine. Burns can occur if hot parts are touched even after the machine has been parked.

Dennis,- Good reminder for hearing protection. I too suffer from way back when when hearing loss was not addressed like today.

Erik - From recent experience at Bowling Green, WATCH OUT FOR THE GOLF CARTS! More than once I was stopped taking a picture and a golf cart approached with all the occupants their heads turned sideways also looking. I had to be extra careful. I realize the golf carts make it possible for folks who have trouble moving around to enjoy the shows but, seriously, the can cause a hazard nearly as great as one of the machines moving around.

Jan

Cat 15, PV 7207

PS- It was great to meet you and your Dad!

Jan:

You are correct, the drivers of those vechiles are looking at everything but were they are going.

Here is what is stated about golf carts from ACMOC:

Note: Control of ATV’s, golf carts, and automobiles on the show grounds, is left to the hosting club.

a few tips : if a machine is parked, put it on level ground with the gear lever in neutral and if possible apply the park brake.
a wile back i saw on a youtube posted movie here on the board a person going on the machine (tractor) , and only had to aply the hand clutch to drive away. when she wanted to stop the tractor she did'nt know how to, and somebody else filming had to shout how to do it. not the best excample of safe driving a tractor.

and for climbing on and of machine try the 3 points contact with for example 2 feet 1 hand or 2 hands 1 foot , and no jumping of machines ( i know its easy but i also hurt my foot and back jumping of the 245 excavator tracks, long time ago when i was a bit younger, but after this i always use the steps going on and of the machine)

Well said. It is always timely to remind us all about safety around machinery.

Sadly, a few years back a young man man here died after jumping onto the tracks of a moving dozer being operated by his brother. A mixture of youth, inexperience and perhaps alcohol was found to be the cause of death.

My only near-death experience with machinery many years ago also involved alcohol.... but luckily I survived and never repeated that mistake.

a few tips : if a machine is parked, put it on level ground with the gear lever in neutral and if possible apply the park brake.
a wile back i saw on a youtube posted movie here on the board a person going on the machine (tractor) , and only had to aply the hand clutch to drive away. when she wanted to stop the tractor she did'nt know how to, and somebody else filming had to shout how to do it. not the best excample of safe driving a tractor.

and for climbing on and of machine try the 3 points contact with for example 2 feet 1 hand or 2 hands 1 foot , and no jumping of machines ( i know its easy but i also hurt my foot and back jumping of the 245 excavator tracks, long time ago when i was a bit younger, but after this i always use the steps going on and of the machine)

[quote="MARCOTEN"]a few tips : if a machine is parked put it on level ground with the gear lever in neutral and if possible apply the park brake. a wile back i saw on a youtube posted movie here a person going on the machine (tractor) , and only had to aply the hand clutch to drive away.

[/quote]

For some reason John Deere drivers (of the older machines) do this all the time! I thionk the habit comes from Steam engine days.

This is an absolute no no on a Cat. First it's very dangerous and secondly it's hard on the clutch as it is slipping ever so lightly.

The first thing I learned about a Cat as a kid was the only position for the clutch was engaged period, except during a gear change period again.

[quote="MARCOTEN"]a few tips : if a machine is parked put it on level ground with the gear lever in neutral and if possible apply the park brake. a wile back i saw on a youtube posted movie here a person going on the machine (tractor) , and only had to aply the hand clutch to drive away.

[/quote]

For some reason John Deere drivers (of the older machines) do this all the time! I thionk the habit comes from Steam engine days.

This is an absolute no no on a Cat. First it's very dangerous and secondly it's hard on the clutch as it is slipping ever so lightly.

The first thing I learned about a Cat as a kid was the only position for the clutch was engaged period, except during a gear change period again.

The first thing I was taught when my old Dad put me on a 7J D4 at the age of 9 was, to never get off a machine without engaging the clutch and setting the park brake, regardless of how or where it was parked, and never leave the engine running with the clutch disenaged for longer than absolutely necessary.
Shortly after this lesson, one of his workmates was killed when he failed to observe this rule and reached over the fuel tank of a D2 to drive the winch rope out a little, it was still in reverse gear!!!
I have always observed the rules Dad taught me when roping out logs and winching trucks out of the forest, he lived to 87 with all limbs intact and I have worked nearly 50 years around heavy machinery and maintained the record.
I cringe when I see some of the stupid things done at steam fairs and shows, but unfortunately some people won't be told and learn the painful way.