Roll bars

[Soapweed]

Roll bars are a wonderful invention. They save peoples' lives, and they save much wear and tear on tipped over vehicles. We are glad our Polaris Rangers have roll bars.

Peach tipped over this Polaris Ranger last year, on September 17th of 2009. Three of us were horseback gathering a herd of cattle, and she was checking out the corners to see if we had them all. She was going quite slow, but got on a sidehill and went over a soapweed with the front tire on the high side. That was all it took to flip the outfit on its side. Peach used her cellphone to call us for assistance, and we were able to set the outfit back on its wheels with the aid of a saddlehorse and a lariat. The roll bars saved her from getting hurt, and kept the Ranger from having damage.


Houston, we have a problem. This is a case of a Peach upsetting an apple cart. Fortunately she landed clear and wasn't hurt. We feel very blessed.

The Kosmo Kid was going too fast on a trail road a week ago last Sunday. He flipped this same outfit, and was fortunately thrown clear with just a minor injury to one leg. The Ranger rolled on its side, then on its top, and landed on the other side, making a 3/4 turn in all. The roll bars were bent beyond repair, but the rider wasn't injured, and the rest of the vehicle suffered very little damage. Without the roll bars, there is no telling how badly hurt the Kosmo Kid would have been, and the Ranger would certainly have been severely damaged.


Poor old Polaris rolled over last week.


Roll bars are a great safety feature.


Kosmo Kid, the culprit who caused the crash, creating cosmetic contusions to the covering of the car.


Here is a picture of Willy Wonka about an hour before he fell with me while loping across the Nebraska prairie.

Now if they would just make roll bars for four-legged mules. While riding ol' Willy Wonka today, his front feet went out from under him. I hit the dirt, and he rolled partially on top of me. This knocked about half the wind out of my lungs. He got up and ran away before I could get to my feet to grab the dragging reins. My Kosmo cohort caught the critter, and I was back in business. The ol' back is a little stiff and sore, but its nothing that three ibuprofen didn't pretty well cure. Anyway, neither the four-wheeler camp or the horse camp has reason to brag or be smug that they are safer than the other. Everyone be careful, no matter what you ride.

[Bootheel]

Life can sure get enteresting sometimes, danged if we can' t find new ways to do ourselves in all the time.

Glad everyone there is alright Soap, aint a day goes by I don't do somethun' stupid.

[Big Muddy rancher]

Isn't there seat belts on those Rangers to hold you in so your not thrown out and the machine rolls on top of you?

Glad everybody is OK.

[Soapweed]

[Denny]

Glad all were okay. My brother crashed his quad this past weekend broken collar bone and a broken rib. Knowing who he was with and where they were I'm sure alcohol was the factor in his crash.He's had cancer now for about 5 years and his outlook on life is like Tim McGraws song (Live Like you were dieing).I sure wish he'd lay off the booze but he won't he can't see it's just speeding his end along.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

OK.....now ya'll really need to quit doin things like that!!!!

But in the near future...I have this thing in my head tellin me that Sparky will be makin sparks while buildin a newer bigger better roll bar for the 4 wheeled mule.

[gcreekrch]

I thought the same Lilly, Sparky to the rescue!

Soapweed, Ol' Raybone Johnson, who had one job his entire life, 42 years as a cowboy for Alkali Lake Ranch would have described your mishap as a "Fartknocker".

Glad everyone is okay.

[Shortgrass]

I just hate it when something like that happens & I ain't there to witness! On a serious note, you guys be careful up there! IB Prof don't take care of all ailments ya know.

[the_jersey_lilly_2000]

Well one thing about it...the rearview mirror is still lookin towards the rear. LOL

[bverellen]

Maybe some training wheels or outriggers is in order for the Polaris. ;)

bart.

†

[RSL]

Glad everyone is OK. I can see why Sparky is employed and his shop always seems full of work.

[mrj]

So thankful all of you are O.K.! Those wrecks happen so fast. Do any of you have any idea of how long it took from "uh oh" to "sure glad I'm not hurting worse"?

I know taking some falls after chemo, I was amazed at how many things went through my mind in the time it took my 5'6" to hit the ground!

And when 'the old guy' on this ranch was going at a high lope on his gray steed to turn an errant cow last spring, they fell into a large hole hidden by tall grass. He thought it may have been two or three seconds from high lope to flat on the ground. There was a little additional damage to a shoulder already suffereing from a torn rotator cuff, some sore ribs, and still aches in lower back, but only a week or so leaving the riding to others normal so he could recuperate. And the horse showed no ill effects.

mrj