Many times workers are in a hurry and do not take necessary precautions to sufficiently support machinery, often times relying on jacks which can tip or slide out of place. In this case, since the planter held together while being towed back to the farm, it was assumed it would stay in one piece while being repaired. Perhaps the victim was unaware of the extreme stress at the point where the tongue bolts on to the toolbar. The victim apparently crawled underneath to take a look, without thinking about safety. Jacks were readily available and could easily have been used to support the machine.
Solid supports are always necessary when working under machinery.
Several identical planters from this manufacturer failed in the same fashion as this one, at the critical union of the tongue and toolbar. This design put too much stress on the bolts leading to bolt failure and breakage. Newer planters from this manufacturer have re-designed the union of tongue and toolbar, with welded seams that virtually eliminate a similar type of accident. If companies are aware of weaknesses in machinery design, they should warn current customers of potential problems while they are making design improvements. Wayne Johnson, M.D. Risto Rautiainen, M.Sc.