Another bad day at work

[BSK]

So am I blessed or cursed? While mapping a skidder road in the bottom of a valley that had just been timbered, I was sitting on my ATV, idling but in gear, looking down at my GPS, when I hear a loud CRACK! Glancing around I see a couple of trees uphill from me seemingly moving. Looking straight up I realize a whole series of trees are falling right on top of me. I gunned the ATV to try and get out from under the trunks, and then bailed off the ATV and starting running. Immediately I feel branches slapping me in the back of the head. I thought I was dead. Luckily, I had just cleared the major branches. But talk about heart pounding and adrenaline shakes! Took about 10 minutes to soak all that in. What are the odds those trees fall just as I drive under them? Looked like a couple of trees had fallen during logging and had gotten wedged against a forked Beech tree. As I was sitting there the left fork of the Beech gave way and all three trees came down right on top of me.

 

[cbhunter]

If that 4 wheeler could talk.....

 

[BSK]

One of my family members said the ATV is out to get me!

 

[huntinkev]

I notice a common denominator....the atv.

Man, that could have been bad if you didn't get out of the way.

 

[tndeerman]

Thank the good lord above,he was with you today

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Boy you got lucky there to avoid serious injury or death.

 

[Blackbullet]

So am I blessed or cursed? While mapping a skidder road in the bottom of a valley that had just been timbered, I was sitting on my ATV, idling but in gear, looking down at my GPS, when I hear a loud CRACK! Glancing around I see a couple of trees uphill from me seemingly moving. Looking straight up I realize a whole series of trees are falling right on top of me. I gunned the ATV to try and get out from under the trunks, and then bailed off the ATV and starting running. Immediately I feel branches slapping me in the back of the head. I thought I was dead. Luckily, I had just cleared the major branches. But talk about heart pounding and adrenaline shakes! Took about 10 minutes to soak all that in. What are the odds those trees fall just as I drive under them? Looked like a couple of trees had fallen during logging and had gotten wedged against a forked Beech tree. As I was sitting there the left fork of the Beech gave way and all three trees came down right on top of me.

Glad you made it out ok. I would say you are blessed. Thank The Lord Jesus Your are still on the same side of the dirt as the rest of us and you are still vertical. He kept you around for a reason.

 

[BSK]

He kept you around for a reason.

When I figure out what that is, I'll let you know!

 

[DoubleRidge]

Glad your ok...that could have been bad

 

[BSK]

Glad your ok...that could have been bad

Very, very bad.

I've never looked straight up and seen a big tree coming down on me before. Pretty scary. I clearly remember thinking, "move fast or you'll die."

 

[Appalachian American]

Glad you're okay. Wasn't that you also who ended up with a search party after an engineer spotted your 4wheeler from the tracks?

 

[Bucket]

Your stories compiled with the accompanying photos would have to be worth something to Honda.

 

[beefydeer]

One of my family members said the ATV is out to get me!

I was about to say the same thing. I will be glad to sell you a new one.:)

 

[RUGER]

Wow dude !
Glad you are ok.

 

[SDS]

Thank goodness your ok, but look at the bright side, instant bedding area.....

 

[JCDEERMAN]

If that 4 wheeler could talk.....

No kidding!

Glad you are ok BSK! I know the feeling, but haven't actually had some of the branches hit me. You and your close calls - stay safe!

 

[jaybird62]

There are a lot of aspects surrounding timber felling that I used to take for granted. These days I get pretty anal about safety procedures in the woods, and that's still no guarantee. Glad you are ok, Brian.

 

[Specializedjon]

Hard hat, Bubble wrap & arm floaties....that would be my suggestion before you go out again. You might be getting chased by a Sasquatch or something this stuff doesn't happen in a lifetime. To you it's called a "Tuesday". Hate to say it...but I'm kinda looking forward to next weeks adventures.

Holy smokes. Glad you're ok brother.

 

[Mike Belt]

I can't make up my mind whether Honda would love to have you for a commercial or whether they wouldn't touch you with a 10 foot pole.

 

[BSK]

There are a lot of aspects surrounding timber felling that I used to take for granted. These days I get pretty anal about safety procedures in the woods, and that's still no guarantee. Glad you are ok, Brian.

Now I know why loggers call trees cut but hung up in other trees, "widow makers." Almost did yesterday.

 

[redblood]

Remind me to never purchase an atv from you

 

[Terrier]

Glad your reaction times are good.

I had a close call the other day.

This past Saturday, a contractor for CEMC that's been burying pipe across the front of my property was doing some cleanup on my driveway with his skid steer. I went over to wave him down to let him know where I didn't want any more gravel, and the skid steer chose that moment for its computer to take a puke.

Without the operator doing or touching anything after he stopped, in the blink of an eye it swung around about three feet to the right, and then it promptly shut down. I was standing just forward of it, off to the right side. The bucket was about 3-5" off the ground.

6" closer and my life would have changed forever.

The skid steer wouldn't crank after that moment. Dead'rn a hammer.

 

[BSK]

Glad your reaction times are good.

I had a close call the other day.

This past Saturday, a contractor for CEMC that's been burying pipe across the front of my property was doing some cleanup on my driveway with his skid steer. I went over to wave him down to let him know where I didn't want any more gravel, and the skid steer chose that moment for its computer to take a puke.

Without the operator doing or touching anything after he stopped, in the blink of an eye it swung around about three feet to the right, and then it promptly shut down. I was standing just forward of it, off to the right side. The bucket was about 3-5" off the ground.

6" closer and my life would have changed forever.

The skid steer wouldn't crank after that moment. Dead'rn a hammer.

As rational, logical people, we tend to downplay the dangers/threat of the random "freak occurrence." That is, until you find yourself in one!

 

[BSK]

I will be glad to sell you a new one.:)

Honestly, from time to time I do find myself checking out Honda's website to ogle the new Ranchers.

 

[beefydeer]

Honestly, from time to time I do find myself checking out Honda's website to ogle the new Ranchers.

Inventories are at an all time low right now with very high demand. Right now I do have a few Ranchers and Foremans in stock. If you get interested call me at 731-234-6841. I am at Interstate 69 Motorsports in Union City.

 

[BSK]

Inventories are at an all time low right now with very high demand. Right now I do have a few Ranchers and Foremans in stock. If you get interested call me at 731-234-6841. I am at Interstate 69 Motorsports in Union City.

Thanks!

 

[Antler Daddy]

Good grief!

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

Inventories are at an all time low right now with very high demand. Right now I do have a few Ranchers and Foremans in stock. If you get interested call me at 731-234-6841. I am at Interstate 69 Motorsports in Union City.

Our of curiosity, what's a new atv costing these days. Plain foreman. Something simple. Like in the 350-450 range size. I don't know what they come in now. Been years since I've looked.

 

[beefydeer]

Our of curiosity, what's a new atv costing these days. Plain foreman. Something simple. Like in the 350-450 range size. I don't know what they come in now. Been years since I've looked.

The 2021 Foreman is a 520. The foot shift model is $6,869 at our dealership. MSRP is $7,399.

 

[Stick-n-String]

@BSK I've told Jim to go ahead and increase our umbrella policy before you get started.