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Freak accident doesn't even begin to describe it

rrrr

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A Utah man and his daughter were killed when a small bulldozer became detached from its tow vehicle and crushed a Suburban traveling the opposite direction. The photos are horrendous.

RIP

 
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Lumpy

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That is awful…so sad. God Speed Dad & Daughter.
 

monkeyswrench

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Truly amazing that three survived in what was left of that wreck. I can't imaging what they are going through right now.

I've seen some people move equipment and do some sketchy things. Always the same, "only going a few miles". Seriously overloaded, or not secured properly. Thinking that tractor alone is probably close to 20,000lbs.
 

Ace in the Hole

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Went down the rabbit hole reading about him. Seemed like he was just a great all around guy, started off welding for lifetime in 88, and grew to be the CEO and mentee of the founder of Lifetime Products. Stake President for the Church ogden region, and on several charitable boards. Prayers for his entire family and network of friends and members of the church he served on his calling. Thats a loss that will be mourned/felt by many.
 

rrrr

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Thanks for that, Ace.

That's so sad. The fabric of that family's life, woven with love, care, and devotion to God, was irreparably torn apart in an instant. I hope the survivors' faith helps them manage the grief.
 

Romans9

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That is not a “bulldozer” that is a track loader, looks like a 955L.

A 955L does not have brakes spring applied, pressure release like most smaller and newer machines.
You have to depress the brakes and lift a lever to lock them.
I have seen many younger operators that did not know how to engage the brakes on a 955 or a 977.
The last 955 was built in the mid 80’s so by rights this is an old machine.
The track loader uses a 3 bar grouser pad unlike a “bulldozer” which uses a one bar grouser pad which is much taller that the three bar pads of a track loader.
This difference makes them slide much easier due to the design used to allow for sharp turning loading trucks from a stock pile.
It also helps them slide off a trailer much easier.

Very tragic but also most likely easily preventable if the person transporting it knew how to properly secure it to the trailer.

I am involved in moving portable rock crushing equipment on occasion.
Once in a while I help off load machines that have been shipped across the country or state and will be shocked with the poor understanding that the driver has with properly securing the load.

Terrible way to die.
 

SeanRitchie

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Short story,

A few years back, we were testing the class 10 car in Barstow. Stopped off at In-N-Out in Lenwood before heading home in the early evening. Boss had the car on a flatbed trailer towing with his Sportsmobile E350 van. We had all driven off to head home ahead of him while he stopped to get gas, as he told us to do so.

As he was walking back to the rig from the gas station store, he did a quick walk-around inspection.

It just so happens that the hitch assembly on the van is somewhat exposed where it bolts up the frame rails, and easy to see without crawling under the van.

He noticed something was a little off. Looked closer and noticed that the plate bolted to the left side frame rail, welded to the square cross member of the hitch was almost completely separated at the weld. The whole cross member was only connected to the right side frame rail. Most likely happened while traversing the whopped out road next to Slash X where the main pit area is normally located for the races out there.

He was seconds away from jumping in and driving down the 15 freeway with the hitch only held on at the right side of the frame rail. Safety chains and all would have simply gone for the ride if the cross member broke off, which was somewhat imminent.

Make sure to check your hitches people. That one screwed with the boss for a few weeks, thinking about that whole trailer and 10 car sliding off into oncoming traffic taking out a family, just like the terrible accident above.
 

fat rat

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@rrrr you think that’s a freak accident, a month ago our group of riders decided to go to NM for a long ride. I opted out (thank God). There was 9 of them and little Eileen, she was towards the back of the pack. I as they rode a truck pulling a trailer coming the opposite way when the trailer wheel let loose and hit her square on. She was killed instantly. They tried everything to revive her. A sad day for our group.😎
 

playdeep

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@rrrr you think that’s a freak accident, a month ago our group of riders decided to go to NM for a long ride. I opted out (thank God). There was 9 of them and little Eileen, she was towards the back of the pack. I as they rode a truck pulling a trailer coming the opposite way when the trailer wheel let loose and hit her square on. She was killed instantly. They tried everything to revive her. A sad day for our group.😎
Whereabouts in New Mexico?
 

JDKRXW

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That is not a “bulldozer” that is a track loader, looks like a 955L.
Very tragic but also most likely easily preventable if the person transporting it knew how to properly secure it to the trailer.

I am involved in moving portable rock crushing equipment on occasion.
Once in a while I help off load machines that have been shipped across the country or state and will be shocked with the poor understanding that the driver has with properly securing the load.

Terrible way to die.

There's a lot of confusion in these news stories.
I've read some comments saying this didn't fall off a trailer - it came off a truck mounted deck ... which if true puts the driver in a whole lot of trouble.
 

rrrr

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That is not a “bulldozer” that is a track loader, looks like a 955L.

A 955L does not have brakes spring applied, pressure release like most smaller and newer machines.
You have to depress the brakes and lift a lever to lock them.
I have seen many younger operators that did not know how to engage the brakes on a 955 or a 977.
The last 955 was built in the mid 80’s so by rights this is an old machine.
The track loader uses a 3 bar grouser pad unlike a “bulldozer” which uses a one bar grouser pad which is much taller that the three bar pads of a track loader.
This difference makes them slide much easier due to the design used to allow for sharp turning loading trucks from a stock pile.
It also helps them slide off a trailer much easier.

Very tragic but also most likely easily preventable if the person transporting it knew how to properly secure it to the trailer.

I am involved in moving portable rock crushing equipment on occasion.
Once in a while I help off load machines that have been shipped across the country or state and will be shocked with the poor understanding that the driver has with properly securing the load.

Terrible way to die.
I noticed the equipment had a bucket instead of a blade, but since I'm not knowledgeable about the specifics of the Cat line didn't think much about it.

@rrrr you think that’s a freak accident, a month ago our group of riders decided to go to NM for a long ride. I opted out (thank God). There was 9 of them and little Eileen, she was towards the back of the pack. I as they rode a truck pulling a trailer coming the opposite way when the trailer wheel let loose and hit her square on. She was killed instantly. They tried everything to revive her. A sad day for our group.😎
That's horrible beyond anything imaginable. A twist of fate, the hand of God, or any way it's considered, the manner of Eileen's death must be inconceivable to her family, friends, and fellow riders.
 

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Truly amazing that three survived in what was left of that wreck. I can't imaging what they are going through right now.

I've seen some people move equipment and do some sketchy things. Always the same, "only going a few miles". Seriously overloaded, or not secured properly. Thinking that tractor alone is probably close to 20,000lbs.
Lots of farm trucks in Phoenix towing equipment that isn't chained to the trailer. See it often on I10 and they're going 80mph in the hov lane.
 

fat rat

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I noticed the equipment had a bucket instead of a blade, but since I'm not knowledgeable about the specifics of the Cat line didn't think much about it.


That's horrible beyond anything imaginable. A twist of fate, the hand of God, or any way it's considered, the manner of Eileen's death must be inconceivable to her family, friends, and fellow riders.
She was precious and a hot pistol to hang with. She will be missed.😎
 

FROGMAN524

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It sounds like you have never been to Miami? LOL
You know I’ve never been there, but I’ve been a lot of places and I’ve never seen it worse than here. Just absolutely no common sense or courtesy.
 

playdeep

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About 15 miles outside of Taos.😎
My condolences sir...
That area especially the Golden triangle, Red River,Taos,Angel fire is unbelievably beautiful.
Riders come from all over the world to ride that stretch of highway.
Problem is you get caught up in the scenery &there are lane crossovers on the 2 lane.
Love the ride...but it scares the crap out of me.
Lot of head on collisions up there.
 

kurtis500

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About 27-28 years ago i ran on an accident on 99th ave in Phx before the 101 freeway was finished. A dump truck pulling a fully loaded transfer trailer came loose at 60+ and steered into oncoming traffic. 3 or 4 cars swerved and rolled into the farm field. The transfer trailer hit a small nissan truck head on that was owned by a tile layer who was by himself in the truck. Took us a while to cut the body out. The impact on the left front crushed the body so hard and fast the intestines come up and out the window of the truck. Sad but he died quick.

Always secure your load....
 
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J DUNN

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I’m on a trip to Powell right now and one young man in our group was roommates last year with the son/brother that was in the car. He was sitting back seat pass side and his mom was in front of him. Dad was driving and daughter was sitting back seat behind Dad. Mother and son had minor injuries. So tragic.
 

PlumLoco

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Many years ago my Mom's boss and his wife were driving in Colorado. A boulder let loose and came crashing down on their car. No weather or earthquakes involved. Killed his wife and nearly killed him. Did lose an eye and massive skull damage. Sometimes you just never know.
 

RIVERBORN

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Cement truck tipped over on my dads first wife…
Twist of fate, guess if it never happened, I wouldn’t be here.
 

OCMerrill

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I noticed the equipment had a bucket instead of a blade, but since I'm not knowledgeable about the specifics of the Cat line didn't think much about it.


That's horrible beyond anything imaginable. A twist of fate, the hand of God, or any way it's considered, the manner of Eileen's death must be inconceivable to her family, friends, and fellow riders.
They can take a blade but its not common for that machine. Its common name, as I remember it, "Crawler Loader" and not made since the 80's. My mother used to date a heavy equipment wholesaler back in the 79-80 era and he was all about that shit and I was memorized by it all.
 
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