Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot | Rich - 7/20/2006 22:49
Paragraph 2: The thing about the amputee is past that tractor that has been retrofitted for them, Where else can they be useful? They can't fix fence, work cows, overhaul the engine, with certain amounts of body parts missing. It just isn't possible. Why get mad at me because I state the obvious? It's real life, sugar coat all you want but a man with only a workable body from the bellybutton up is going to have a darn sure challenge in alot of other parts of being a farmer/rancher and unless someone else is there to help or the amount of what needs to be done is darn minimal, it just isn't going to happen in a timely or correct manner. Get mad and scold me if you will but the truth is the truth. I am not putting them down, don't get me wrong. I think it's great if they can get back out there and feel some usefulness from thier life but the fact remains what they can do is limited and most people in the business are not missing major parts and in need of major change on tractors or combines or otherwise to make them operational. So.......in back to the original sought topic, why change what works? Why make "handicapped accessible" what doesn't need be so you and I can fork over more hard earned dough to drive these newer machines? No damn different than you wanting logger tires on your 9600 and I am completely happy with 30.5-32's. Make it an option, retool the plant and then make the handicapped one buying it pay for it. Don't make me pay for someone elses' problems.
.
Rich, I don't know you and I hope you are a little nicer in person. There are lots of people with physical disabilities that can manage to do damn near anything. I don't know why what you are ranting about bugs me so much, but if you really do have such a bad attitude, some 'handicapped' person is going to end up whipping your ass someday. But I digress, nobody is talking about changing a whole line of tractors just to fit the needs of a few. Tractors and other equipment is going to different controls because that is what people are finding out they like more. I've ran enough CAT loaders with no steering wheels to know that I prefer them that way. I can't see anyone asking for an entire change in the way controls are made in equipment just for the benefit of a handicapped person. But if they are changed because that is the way the manufacturer feels the most people will like them and it ends up working well for a disabled person, isn't that nice? For WheelinFarmer I would think a new Deere with the IVT would work well as no foot control is required, the trans will stop the tractor as quick as the brakes. Now that is not a special tractor just an option on a standard tractor that might work well. Relax though, I'm sure someone will always make a tractor with a steering wheel and a clutch for the large number of those who (like you) like them that way. I don't have a problem with that so don't worry if someone else wants their tractor a little different. |
Joysticks
