Did something dumb today.

[WV Sawmiller]

Bill,

   Sorry to hear you got banged up but glad you survived with no worse injuries than you got.

    

[Machinebuilder]

I will join everybody in saying I am glad it's not worse.

Hearing things like this makes me think twice as I am often alone when doing hazardous things.

I think having your phone on you is a good first step, knowing who to call that can help quickly is also important.
I know here in East TN it is very easy to get in a small area where your cellphone doesn't work.
If I am using a chainsaw in that situation I will also put my Inreach messenger in my pocket. it might be slow but still faster than hoping someone finds me.

Take care of yourself and do what it takes to heal.

[Wlmedley]

One more post and I'll put this dumb thing I did to rest. Went to orthopedic doctor today and got some pretty good news. He said foot should heal ok with time and that my knee had a small chip which didn't need any surgery. He had nurse put a knee brace on which will bend so I can still drive and get around. He said stay off it as much as possible and come back in three weeks. I plan to follow his instructions and hopefully live to fight another day. Here is a picture to remind everyone to be careful.I normally have a skinny foot and ankle.

[Magicman]

This ain't a contest.....you win!! 

[Old Greenhorn]

Actually it looks to me like he lost.
 Geez you really did get lucky Bill.  Truly I hope you feel a bit better every day.

[Wlmedley]

I had a pair of steel toed boots on. I hate to think what foot would have looked like with light shoes on. 

[RetiredTech]

Glad to hear you got a good report. That foot looks painful.

[aigheadish]

Yeah, Bill take it easy, feet aren't supposed to be that color!

[WV Sawmiller]

   Yeah, a "person of color" is taking on a whole new meaning.

   Get well quick and complete.

[Stephen1]

Wow, $3,120 in just blade charges.  That wood must have been really special to the owner.

Doug in SW iA

it is a new build for a man that has a lot of money and doesn't mind spending it.  I love customers like him, send the bill, paid before the next day!

[SwampDonkey]

Yeah, you're lucky to have that customer.   I've known money men that were very frugal. Not as far as holding back what they owed, but if they could find a way around to save money they would do it. Sometimes even a harder, slower way. Like a hand scythe instead of a bush hog. A $30 hand tool versus thousands for the alternative. :D :D

I'm not a money man, but I always pay quick what I owe someone for a job. I don't hire anyone unless I have the money for it.

[Jeff]

Yesterday was a fun day. First time ever, and hopefully the only time I perform this stupid human trick. I was prepping to load some equipment that needs repaired this winter to haul south. I put my atv ramps on the back of the tandem trailer and began to pull the 21hp craftsman mower up the ramps. 

They are good strong ramps, and the incline was slight. The back of the trailer, maybe knee high.  The mower easily climbed the ramps. The front wheels were well on the trailer, the mower was leveled out and the back tires about to leave the ramps and land on the trailer.

Im taking the mower back to harrison, because the deck needs rebuilt. Just as the back tires reached the top, that deck hung on something, causing a stop to my forward motion, and instantly the big back tires spit the ramps off the back of the trailer.

It was like slow motion. Tammy was standing on the front of the trailer when she saw the front of the mower lift into the air as my back tires dropped the 18" to the ground. Not a thing I could do. The mower continued to rear up and it came back end for end over top of me. Somehow I was able to push with my feet and have it roll a little sideways as we went upside down, ending up with the mower mostly on my twisted up legs pinning me to the ground. One foot was pinned at the ankle under something, and that leg had my other leg pinned under it.

I am *DanG lucky Tammy was here. The first thing I did was holler, im okay, in not hurt, as I saw her horrified look as she rushed forward. She said it looked bad when it happened. I dont know how heavy all that metal is, but its heavy. Tammy was able to pull on the upside down machine enough to allow my top foot to slide out of my boot where it had been pinned, allowing me to start untangling and get up. Beween us we were able to get the mower flipped on its wheels, and I got back on the horse and got it loaded, this time without incident. 
I am quite sore today after the fact, mostly my back I think from struggling to get out.  The best part of this? NO VIDEO!  The stupid part, my securing straps rotted off years ago and I never fixed them

[doc henderson]

These things are far more likely to happen if they are being recorded.  glad you are OK.  must have been some part of the deck catching on the trailer to stop the forward motion?  

[Jeff]

The mower deck is worn out and in the up position, its still nearly down.  I have a 2x4 screwed to the trailer deck that is my guide for parking the 8N,  might of been what I hooked.

[Resonator]

Glad you're OK. Loading trailers can cause all manner of problems.
Seen or done most all of them, ramps coming loose, sliding machinery sideways while loading on a sloped road shoulder, or trailer hitch unhooking from the ball when weight is put to the back end. One I haven't done but heard about, is loading machinery and the weight lifts the trailer hitch hooked to the back of the truck off the ground (the truck only has rear parking brakes) and the truck and trailer roll away out of control.

[sawguy21]

I remember doing that! The ramps were too short and not pinned to the deck, when I woke up the rider was standing on end supported by the seat and my knees were around my ears. Other than a massive headache I was ok but the boss was annoyed that I spent time and money to make a proper set.

[Magicman]

Glad that you are OK. 

The best part of this? NO VIDEO! 

That is debatable.  I know someone (and you do too) that would have loved to have seen that.

[SawyerTed]

The videos of lawn mowers, atvs and motorcycle loading debacles make me cringe!  

Glad you are ok, Jeff.  

I had a ramp "near miss" recently unloading my motorcycle off a trailer.  No damage and no injury so a non-event but very close.  

The ramps are built specifically for loading and unloading motorcycles.  I learned ramps have to be securely attached to the truck or trailer.  

[Jeff]

Glad that you are OK. 

The best part of this? NO VIDEO!

That is debatable.  I know someone (and you do too) that would have loved to have seen that.

I'm not above tagging @Marty !

[SwampDonkey]

Bad things can happen fast, that's for sure.....and can be fatal sometimes. Got to be aware and vigilant.

[rusticretreater]

I welded hitch receivers on both my trailers so I can easily mount a winch when needed.  If it can't be driven onto the trailer, it gets winched and I stand out of the way.

I guess you need an upgrade to attach your ramps to your trailer somehow.

[Big_eddy]

Glad you are fine. Lady I know broke a leg earlier this year doing the same trick while loading an ATV. 

[Jeff]

I'd be willing to bet Ida broke if It had not been on soil sofened by a couple inches of rain, allowing for the ramps I fell on to push into the soil for cushion. Hard ground coulda hurt.

[SwampDonkey]

Yeah, I seen Wranglerstar bust a tibia loading a motor mike up ramps that were not secured. But usually are. But this time, everything came crashing down.

[Chuck White]

Glad you're ok Jeff.
Always a good idea to have a "safety observer" when you're doing anything where something "might" happen!