Obviously when digging we place the idlers in front and dig over them but when pushing trees where do you place the idlers? I assume in the rear but then you get to a tree where you have to dig it out first so you'd want idlers in front until you go to push. So do you constantly change position or just place 'em where they would most likely take the most abuse and go.
Always idlers in front cause if you are pushing trees and a branch comes through the window with idlers at the rear the branch can push the levers forcing you further into said branc possibly killing you or seriously injuring you.
That makes sense, although the Case 880D's don't have sticks on the traveler foot pedals so the chance is much less.
Forgot to ask where in IN you are!
UP north elkhart area
West of you just a few, South Bend... Mile north of Potato Creek Park
AWSOME INFORMATION. I never considered that particular circumstance. What is just common sense to some and just common practice to others and/or both. I mostly keep idlers in front due to stress reasons discussed in this forum,(while digging) now I have a safety reason to compound that practice. Thank You
this reminds me of a something happened to my dad. he was clearing some trees on a lot. the lot was over looking a river. it is about a 200 foot rock face to the river and they wanted to clear it for the view. he got a branch against the controls and it was driving him off the edge. well he figured no need for him to go with it so he was bailing off. the only thing that stoped him from loosing the machine is when he lifted the safty bar it took it out of gear. i think he went home early to have a drink and clean his shorts!!!! true story
That's one of those things that I guess gets learned the hard way most of the time....... Just south of me, a guy in a small machine (no seatbelt) was digging over the edge and grabbed something. High rpm's to save time aparently, and it jerked the machine hard enough too toss him into the controls, (he had the machine pointed correctly, so when he got tossed, the machine did back up). Unfortunatly, he got tossed out of the front window and cracked his skull on the boom.