Tractor Avoids Oncoming Car
But Rolls Over In Ditch

A 67-year-old farmhand driving an older narrow-front tractor was distracted by approaching traffic while turning into a farm lane and over-steered slightly causing the tractor to enter a ditch and roll over. The man was on the right shoulder of the highway, preparing to turn left into a farm lane, transporting a large bale of hay using rear-mounted hay hooks. After he began his turn a car immediately appeared over a hill to the front and right of the tractor. This distraction caused the man to hurry across the highway and misjudge the entry into the farm lane. The car driver applied brakes hard and stopped before the farm driveway, then observed the tractor enter the ditch adjacent to the driveway and flip over. Apparently, the man’s primary concern was getting across the highway to avoid a collision. He was quite familiar with the tractor’s controls and handling, however extra weight on the rear of the tractor, combined with the slope of the road, and acceleration, may have made the tractor light on the front end and difficult to steer accurately. The tractor had no ROPS, therefore it rolled over completely and crushed the man underneath. This intersection is poorly seen by road traffic approaching from the north and local residents report multiple near-accidents with school buses at this location.

1. Tractors should be equipped with ROPS, especially if used for loading, mowing, or if tricycle-type.

--Operating tricycle-type tractors near steep ditches is very dangerous due to their unstable front end.

--Tricycle-type tractors should NOT have front-end attachments which change the center of gravity.

--Installation of a ROPS on this tractor would likely have saved the operator’s life.

2. Farmers, rural residents, and county/state road departments should post warning signs along road ways to alert drivers of dangerous intersections or pursue grading changes or relocation.

--Dangerous intersections should be reported to the state DOT office for evaluation.

--Relocating this farm lane would be much safer, increasing the stopping distance for motorists.

--This may be expensive and inconvenient, but provides significant safety and peace of mind.