Respect for machinery and tools

[Al C. 1,405]

I read a recent post on the forum which sparked a concept we sometimes forget but can never take for granted.  The machinery (including Wheel Horses) we use and play with is stronger and more powerful than we are.  This means it can hurt us and others, and it will if not used with full concentration, total awareness, and undivided attention.  Whether it is a tractor, table saw, planer, welder, chop saw, or lawn mower, these machines deserve respect and undivided attention when they are being used.  I lost part of a thumb to a table saw.  My father lost part of a finger to a joiner.  I grabbed a belt on my Wheel Horse and nearly lost a finger.  Many of us have injured ourselves in some way using the tools we love best.  And in most cases, it is at a moment when we lost concentration, forgot a basic rule, or tried to take a shortcut.  These days, manufactures try to "dumb down" tools to protect them against weekend warriors who have no more respect for them than video games. Let's face it, if you are not going to respect your machines and use them with the caution and reverence that they deserve, then you should not be operating them.  They are fun to use because of what they can accomplish in the hands of a skilled "professional", but they are not toys and should never be underestimated in their ability to harm if used without complete awareness.  No safety feature will overcome this fact.  Now, let's go mow in reverse.  

[squonk 38,846]

I wish there was a warning device to tell me someone is going to come by pushing a cart and knock the ladder out from under me!  Thank goodness for strong conduit! 

[elliot ness 1,916]

Great post, we all can learn from it.

[TALMADGE 71]

I don't think anyone really had malicious intent when mowing in reverse. I think it was just a bunch of guys talking and joking around. maybe it wasn't P.C. enough for some.  either way I have found a new hobby and all of you guys are Great.

[Racinbob 10,269]

Well said and I love the comment about video games.

[WNYPCRepair 1,875]

1 hour ago, TALMADGE said:

I don't think anyone really had malicious intent when mowing in reverse. I think it was just a bunch of guys talking and joking around. maybe it wasn't P.C. enough for some.  either way I have found a new hobby and all of you guys are Great.

 

 

I can't imagine anyone didn't realize that it was just a joke.

 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487]

Take heed of that sound post, it can happen.

 

Glenn

[WVHillbilly520H 10,369]

"I can't imagine anyone didn't realize that it was just a joke" ..............    It's not the fact that most if not all, was all in good faith of humor but some left wing liberal "trolls" out there may be "snooping" the forum and report us as stupid malicious rednecks intentionally trying to harm others(children pets and those of less common sense ect) then ''Big Brother" could shut the whole site/forum down for inappropriate behavior and then what would we  nuts have to help each other out all across the world? just my hillbilly ,Jeff.

 

 

 

[953 nut 51,537]

12 hours ago, Al C. said:

tractor, table saw, planer, welder, chop saw, or lawn mower

You must have been peeking into my shop, I've hurt myself on all of them and then some. The good part is that I have learned by my mistakes and haven't been a repeat offender. No mater how many "safety" devices are put in place, it is the operator that can be the ultimate safety device.

[JPWH 5,295]

Well said. I lost part of my finger with a circular saw. The blade lever was a small nub and when grabbed for the lever I missed. Hard lesson learned at 17. 

[TDF5G 2,051]

On 5/7/2016 at 0:37 PM, WNYPCRepair said:

 

 

I can't imagine anyone didn't realize that it was just a joke.

 

 

Yeah, it was all just a joke.   Perhaps we got carried away.

 

I totally agree with you AI C.  Very good thoughts you share.  I've grown up around power tools in tire shops and garages and Wheel Horses too.  My Dad and uncles always taught us kids the proper way to use tools and how to be safe. And likewise I've always taught my daughter, younger cousins and others the proper way to handle things and what to watch out for. Any equipment that is not used for it's intended purpose has the possibility to result in disaster.  I've seen a few accidents in my time.  I've been the victim a couple of times also, of my own carelessness but thankfully only minor injury, broken toe, dislocated finger.   And I've got several scars from sharp objects also as reminders.  

 

For the record, I've never taken little ones for rides on the Wheel Horse while mowing.  That is the most dangerous thing I think an adult can do.  Kids are unpredictable and you have to  keep an eye one them.

On 5/7/2016 at 11:11 AM, TALMADGE said:

I don't think anyone really had malicious intent when mowing in reverse. I think it was just a bunch of guys talking and joking around. maybe it wasn't P.C. enough for some.  either way I have found a new hobby and all of you guys are Great.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

When it comes to the herd, Wheel Horse said it best...

Safety_cartoons.pdf

[Philip Parry-jones 26]

Lost the tendons in one finger with a "slight" chainsaw accident, When waiting for an X ray they wheeled in a chap with every thing in plaster,(two broken legs,one broken arm,neck in brace etc) I asked him what had happened and he told me that he had fallen over in the shower!.

[953 nut 51,537]

48 minutes ago, Philip Parry-jones said:

he had fallen over in the shower!

Must have fallen over and out of a window to do that much damage.  

[AMC RULES 36,942]

On 5/7/2016 at 1:37 PM, WNYPCRepair said:

 

 

I can't imagine anyone didn't realize that it was just a joke.

 

 

Adults yeah...  

but think about the little kids that come here.