Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 08, 2025 03:54AM
We have a couple of classes in our club that are limited to 3000 RPM, diesel box turbo classes, wheely bars, steel flywheels, scatter blankets etc. There is a push to require ladder bars and fire suits. Can anyone cite an accident or failure on a tractor in a similar class where ladder bars or fire suits would have prevented injury? And in those instances, did the tractor involved have the equipment in place that we have?

We have heard the argument that it won't cost much, that is not the point, the point I wanted to understand is probability of an accident where they would have helped.
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 10, 2025 03:28PM
The ladder bars are about clutch housings breaking. That has been happening for a long time and really has nothing to do with RPM. Trust me, I know how much of a pain in the @$$ all this safety stuff is, but it’s really not worth the risk.
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 10, 2025 05:00PM
You can’t put a price on safety. I would put ladder bars on its safety issue that can be done very easy and not that expensive. A persons life isn’t worth skimping out on safety. A fire suit isn’t bad at all to wear you are only have it on for a few mins. The fire suit blow line shoots fire ball you won’t get burnt. Ladder bars keeps tractor from breaking in half if clutch housing or something lets loose which save a life or injuries. Face it a lot of these tractors are 40-50+ years old cast that’s been stressed
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 05:21AM
As has been stated before "the only time fun comes before safety is in the dictionary"
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 08:42AM
To evaluate the need for a safety item or practice, takes three things.

1) Failure mode that is being evaluated
2) Occurrence or probability that the failure will occur, under the conditions that are present.
3) Consequence of the failure mode.

The responses given so far could easily drive everyone to just stay in bed and hope there isn't a house fire, earthquake or meteor shower.
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 09:18AM
Quote
RCP
To evaluate the need for a safety item or practice, takes three things.

1) Failure mode that is being evaluated
2) Occurrence or probability that the failure will occur, under the conditions that are present.
3) Consequence of the failure mode.

The responses given so far could easily drive everyone to just stay in bed and hope there isn't a house fire, earthquake or meteor shower.

With this logic roll cages shouldn't exist either? 3000rpm tractors in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa have had to run ladder bars for over 20years
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 09:46AM
Quote
me

To evaluate the need for a safety item or practice, takes three things.

1) Failure mode that is being evaluated
2) Occurrence or probability that the failure will occur, under the conditions that are present.
3) Consequence of the failure mode.

The responses given so far could easily drive everyone to just stay in bed and hope there isn't a house fire, earthquake or meteor shower.

With this logic roll cages shouldn't exist either? 3000rpm tractors in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa have had to run ladder bars for over 20years

So that is an excellent case study, in those classes, have there been any instances where the ladder bars made a difference?
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 10:02AM
Ladder bars

1) Failure mode that is being evaluated

57 year old cast breaking on 1950T ( or any tractor)

2) Occurrence or probability that the failure will occur, under the conditions that are present.

If there was any cast removed to make the Steel flywheel or 5.9 fit probability is much greater then stock. The tractors cast iron rear end and tub were also not designed for constant dropping of front end so the occurrence of failure mode quite high.

3) Consequence of the failure mode.

If you're lucky bumps and burses if you're not, You die

Fire suits
1) Failure mode that is being evaluated

Fire

2) Occurrence or probability that the failure will occur, under the conditions that are present.

Occurrence and probability are high. The engines are running well above their designed performance operating temps.

3) Consequence of the failure mode.

1st 2nd 3rd degree burns or you die.

Another thing to consider is your clubs insurance doesn't care about your opinion. If they think you need them, your not pulling without them. I don't have any specific instances, but yes there have been broken clutch housings where the ladder bars kept the tractor from becoming two pieces.
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 11, 2025 01:11PM
As normal for this board, everyone gangs up on the guy who doesn't just accept the norm and asks questions.

I never said I would not use safety equipment; I was merely trying to understand the chances that something would happen that necessitated the use of the equipment.

I would hope that someone who uses engineering in their handle would understand risk assessment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/2025 01:13PM by RCP.
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Re: Ladder Bars for 3000 RPM classes December 12, 2025 01:56AM
We keep hearing that safety issues are reactive and not proactive. Sounds like the club is being proactive concerning safety.

We also hear that many safety updates are written in blood.
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