I hope this will convince every one of the danger involved when changing implements with the tractor running.

Here is what happened to me. I constantly change from one implement to another on these tractors. I leave the ORC necessary for brush hog use on all the time because it is sort of a pain to take off and on. One day while removing the grader blade in preparation for reinstalling the brush hog. I had the tractor running with the PTO engaged. This was so that I could move the blade up and down to aid in removing the three point arms and top link pins. One of the arms did not want to come off of the blade so I reached up and kicked it with my foot. This is something I have done literally thousands of times before. This time though the rotating ORC caught my pants leg and ripped my jeans completely off of me and drug my back into the ORC shaft. Fortunately for me the jeans tore off and I managed to get away from the shaft with only minor cuts and bruises to my back. If the jeans had not tore I would have probably been twisted in two or something else just as bad. None of this even caused the little 9N to bog down from its normal idle speed so I am sure it would have had enough power to kill me if the jeans hadn't tore.

The lesson I learned from this is to never change an implement with the tractor running. If it is necessary to remove weight on the three point arms or top link for pin removal use a jack or a big pry bar to move the implement. I hope this describes what happened and convinces you to also be safe while using these tractors in any way or changing implements. If you have any further questions please feel free to send them in an email to deerhntrmo@charter.net and I will reply as best I can.

Sincerely
Rocky Carr

You were very fortunate. I know a gentleman whose small grandson was on the back of his tractor (unknown to him). He cranked it up and the child lost his leg above the knee in exactly the same way you described. As I said you were very fortunate.

This is exactly why I installed Zane's live hydraulics on my N. As far as I am concerned it is a necessary upgrade. Now I only need to turn the PTO on when I need it. Even then I keep the pto cover in place and the ORC stays on my bush hog. If I ever get another implement that needs an ORC, I will also buy an ORC dedicated to that implement. The cap stays on my PTO when not in use.

That's VERY fortunate, Rocky. Considering the number of accidents where people are seriously or fatally injured, minor cuts and bruises sounds like you had Someone looking over you.
If you ever get to where you can joke about it, tell the grandkids it was a bad news good news lesson. The bad news was having to walk back in the house with no jeans and shorts in poor condition. The good news was being able to.
Thanks you for the post.
Russ

That's why I like my 850 with the LIVE HYDRAULICS! When I'm messing around the back end of the tractor the PTO is OFF, usually with a cap screwed over it, and I can still use my lift.

Thanks for the graphic reminder of how dangerous these machines can be. I'm glad your jeans tore and allowed you to escape.