To belt or not

[moosehunter]

 What would you do?
We just got a D6C. It has a roll cage that was built by someone other than the Cat people ( add on).
The cage is pretty solid, 4in square uprights w/ 3/8 plate on top.

The tractor came from the factory without a seat belt. I have a belt and am going to install it. I wanna stay in that seat & inside of the cage if it should ever roll over! The guy I bought the tractor from said he won't use a seat belt on a dozer. I have had other operators say the won't use a belt, they claim they want to "get away" if something bad happens. 
What are your thoughts?  I'm gonna use the belt ;)
mh

[Reddog]

My thought with a woods dozer is if you are going to use a belt. You need to have screens on all sides so if the track picks up a log it can not come into the cab. When they say they want to get away that has been what I have had to dodge. As for roll over, I chicken out before I even come close in a dozer. Just me .02 looks like a nice orop and dozer

[pigman]

On a dozer a seat belt will keep the operator from being tosed out when the tracks cross a stump or log. I think that more operators get hurt by being thrown off the dozer than being crushed by the dozer turning over. When I first started driving a dozer,( I said driving because I did not know how to do anything but drive)  I crossed a log going too fast and ended on the hood holding onto the breather pipe. I first grabbed the exaust pipe, but I quickly learned it was hot.  After I got some more experence I would not use the seat belt even though  the newer models had them.  So, I would say to use the belt untill you are an experienced operator and at that time you will know what is best for you.

[moosehunter]

A friend loaned me his Case 350 to finish my lawn. I was done for the day and was on the way to parking the dozer, I had to go over an abrupt change in terrain. About dead level to about 45 deg. I was going too fast and when the dozer tipped over the berm it shot me head first into the ROPS. That hurt like DanG
I wore the seat belt after that, momma didn't raise no egg-plant :D
AND I learned to slow way down when going over obsticals!

[Luckyfarmer]

I have had dozers for 40 years and I do not want a seat belt..course I now know when to slow on rough ground..your canopy looks strong enough for a 6c.  Just drive careful until you are used to it.  you will find they are lots of fun working with.  good luck 

[Ed_K]

 I've had two close tip overs, in my 30 + yrs of operating. Both times were so unexpected that I don't believe you could have exited without getting hurt. Looking at your dozer I'd install the belt, but if your going to use it in the woods, put the guarding on also.

[Tillaway]

You could use some limb risers on that as well as a better cage.  The cage prevents jill pokes and the risers keep limbs from tearing off the stack and hanging up on the cage.  Also how well is the radiator guarded?

[ScottAR]

I can't see.  Is the cage anchored to the frame or just the platform on the front?   A cage that breaks is worse than no cage... 

[UNCLEBUCK]

Nice dozer moosehunter you lucky dog you !  I never run a big dozer but alot of little dozer in the woods and what hurts me the most is getting whipped by a small green branch that got caught in the track and decides to just smack me right on my nose .  Hey make sure you show alot pictures uprooting your county !  My neighbor is a retired 49er , a cat man and he is bent like about just above 90 degrees when he walks all stooped over and when he gets up in his cat he looks just fine . He says he got the blank pounded out of him from being a 49er .

[moosehunter]

 The brackets for limb risers are there, so I plan to build some. The screen to protect me from branches sounds like a good idea, any thoughts on what to make them out of?
The cage is attached bolted to the floor (1/2 plate) with triangle braces (1/4") under the floor to the frame.
UB,  I plan to start a running post soon for our lot/drive/lawn/pond/house project. I started clearing trees last year, hope to finish the trees this winter/spring. Now that I have a dozer I can push the trees over, then cut them up. I will get pics!
mh

[OneWithWood]

Hey, Moose.  Put the belt on and use it, especially if you are going to operate on any frozen terrain.  The arguments for not wearing the belt remind me of the arguments many of my more experienced motorcycle riding friends used for not wearing helmets.  I have buried too many of them.
If a stick comes into the cab off the tracks you can dodge it somewhat with a belt on - I have.  If you are going to exit, where are you going to exit to?  Onto the moving track?  I don't think so!!  It is much easier to control the machine if your butt is not bouncing up in the air and your feet are firmly planted on the controls.  Is your machine hand steer, foot steer, or joy stick?
The side screens are a good addition as are the limb risers.  I have a screen on the back and risers on my old JD450C and they have kept stray misslies of all kinds out of the cockpit.
I do not have the esperience operating large equipment that some others have, but I do understand the necessity of safety while operating.
Enjoy your machine and be safe.

[bitternut]

I also had the experience of getting launched into the top plate of my 350 dozer's rop. I did it by driving over the concrete curb in the barn door way. I had placed an old 2x4 on top of the concrete to protect it and that was enough to launch me into the roof once the machine pivoted over the 2x4 even though I was barely moving. I now put the belt on when my butt hits the seat. I now have less head aches.

[Frank_Pender]

I have dozers from the size of a D2 to a D8 and never worn a belt.  I have not been raised more than an inch regarding the launching idea.  I have a D5 and still nver wear the belt.  Luck or wisdom, call it what you will. 8)

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Older and wiser by the day, I say use the belt.

My brother Chris has a JD 340 (mabe 350?) It has a roll cage and sweeps, gotta have sweeps.
He is in the process of adding screening and seatbelt. We plan on using it for road maintenance in WV.

We used to run Dad's old Cletrack, no cage or belts. Dad used to move it on an old 47' international flatbed. He would load it by driving off of a loading ramp onto the truck, as the machine went onto the truck it would lift the front wheels off the ground, quite a sight to see.

Dad took a lot of chances, never ran with any safety gear and never got killed or killed anyone. I'm sure quite a lot of skill was involved but I am just as sure luck had a bit to do with it.

He did get hurt every now and then. I remember as a kid he would say "Feel that lump, there's a chunk of steel in there"

Jon

[wiam]

Use the belt.  I think anyone who wants to "get away from it" won't have time.

Jon,  what model cletrac?  I have an HG 42 out in the barn I need to find a carb for.

Will

[scsmith42]

I've got a Cat D8 and a 550 John Deere, and like many of the other operators do not typically wear a belt on a dozer.  On the other hand, I won't move my Dresser Scraper a foot w/o the belt being on.  Also, I've had professional operators that worked for me that always wore the belt on the dozer.  Bottom line - go what you're comfortable with and if in doubt, wear it, especially if you're working hilly terrain.

Having spent a lot of time clearing trees and brush, I can tell you that it's more important to have very heavy duty screens surrounding your cab versus the belt.  As a previous poster mentioned, make sure that your radiator is well protected, and also that your hoses are protected - especially the ones that can spray into the cab.

[Weekend_Sawyer]

wiam,
We have 2 Oliver Cletracs, I beleive they are DDHs and one real old Cletrac 35.
the Oliver's are disel and the 35 has a hercules 6 cyl engine that the stack has been open for 40 or so years, I beleive it is perminant lawn art.

Jon