2-25-2011: What are Common about a PTO Shaft and a Woman Scorned?

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Steve Lombardi, Attorney

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2/25/2011
Steve Lombardi
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2-25-2011: What are Common about a PTO Shaft and a Woman Scorned?

The question asked this week is: what is a PTO, a power take off shaft and what does it do?

A PTO is a power takeoff shaft commonly found on tractors and used to transfer power to that piece of motor-less equipment. (See also universal joints.) Farm implements that standalone, like augers and other types of grain lifts need power to turn the gears and conveyor mechanism; that power is provided by a tractor's power take off hookup. The shaft is a separate piece of equipment that hooks into the rear of the tractor and then into the implement, in this case the auger. It turns and like a driver shaft as it turns the power turns gears or wheels that power the implement and make it useful for work.

A properly PTO has the shaft covered; if not covered it's an accident waiting to occur and an exposed PTO can be legal grounds for punitive damages should an accident occur. Like fall protection gear the covering on a PTO is intended to shield the workers from injury that sooner or later will befall busy workers. When working around a spinning shaft, assume it's unshielded and stay as far from it as you can. Never, never, never step over a spinning PTO shaft. To know what I'm talking about I've included three images below the fold of the rear of the tractor where the PTO connects, a close up view and a protected (yellow) PTO already hooked between a tractor and piece of farm implement.

If you're wondering what types of injuries can be caused by spinning PTO shafts consider broken legs, quadriplegia, paraplegia, brain damage and if you're lucky death. While good tools make work more efficient they can also maim and kill workers who take them for granted. They are as unforgiving as a woman scorned.

Category: Workers' Compensation

Labels: attorney Commentary injury power take off shaft PTO safety shield work

After a worker is injured is when they need the support of their employer the most. But injured workers aren't given a level playing field. The company doctor often times is not helping them and the case manager isn't either. The worker is left alone to fend for themselves and to make mistakes that result in lower benefits or fewer weeks of benefits. Some are sent back to work too soon. There is only one person on your side and that understands this system. If your lawyer doesn't understand the nature of this claim you've got the wrong lawyer. Steve Lombardi has practiced in the area of workers compensation for over 30 years. He's tried hundreds of cases for more than one thousand clients. If you'd like help finding a competent lawyer we do assist people in locating a lawyer in Iowa or in Illinois. Call us.

If you have a question about your case, give us a call or drop us an email. LOMBARDI LAW FIRM - 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com. If you or your spouse are involved in a work accident contact the Lombardi Law Firm. We will assist you with your claim.
Steve Lombardi, Attorney