Farmer Slips on Tractor Steps
Is Run Over and Killed

A 76-year-old farmer, working alone, was killed when his tractor ran over him. He was combining corn and had just hooked up a grain wagon. While climbing in or out of his tractor cab, he apparently slipped and reached out, accidentally grabbing the gear shift lever in the cab, jamming the lever into first gear. The tractor lurched forward and the farmer fell off the steps of the tractor and was run over by the left rear tire. The man was found dead at the scene, face down in the mud, with tire marks along his body and back. The tractor had been left running in neutral and not in park while the man left the cab. The farmer was in excellent health and very experienced with his tractor

While the tractor was idling still, there was no observable vibration of the gearshift lever, so this was ruled out as a causitive factor. Investigation with the engine running revealed it was easy to jam the gearshift lever into first gear without using the clutch. The lever did not have any knob on its end, and it felt uncomfortable when pushed forward into park. If the operator was not wearing gloves, this gearshift lever may have caused sufficient discomfort to discourage routine use of park. It was quite muddy that day, and the man was wearing a pair of old tennis shoes which may have contributed to the accident. The gearshift was poorly designed requiring the operator to always step over the lever every time he entered or left the cab. Entry into the tractor cab was narrow and awkward.

· 1. Tractor transmissions should always, if possible, be put in park before leaving the tractor cab.

--Once in park position, it is impossible to move the gearshift lever without use of the clutch.

--Farmers frequently have muddy feet and can easily slip on tractor steps and grab protruding levers.

--Park secures a tractor on hilly terrain and, if available, should always be used when leaving the cab.

· 2. Control levers should have proper knobs on their ends to facilitate comfortable movement.

--The gearshift lever may have been left in neutral because of the minor inconvenience of using park.

--Farmers frquently develop a bad habit of leaving tractors in neutral while on level terrain.

· 3. One should select a tractor with a well-designed cab with adequate hand holds and flat steps.