Out of control power trowel - GIF

**ibdennyak** · Sep 26, 2018, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Frank S

I imagine either the throttle leaver was wired open or there was no dead man switch on it

Agreed. On mine they either had a centrifugal clutch with a spring return throttle or a belt tightener on the handle with a lock that folded over from the other side to lock it in place. It looks to be running quite fast so I would guess it had the tightener with the lock wired down. Ask me how I know.......

**Frank S** · Sep 26, 2018, 12:23 AM

Never had the inclination to want to own one but have rented far too many through the years. The guy at a place I was going to rent one one time told me now you know this machine takes 2 people to start it.I asked why. Well it will only keep running if it is nearly wide open. so the clutch stays engaged.
No thanks I'll rent from your competitor he may be higher but at least he maintains his equipment.

**Toolmaker51** · Sep 29, 2018, 09:06 PM

I'm not sure what defensive method uses plastic sheeting, but first two jousting with 2x4 and PVC pipe didn't stand a chance. Needs a deadman switch for sure; or smaller fuel tank.

Lol, just watched once more. Look for passerby and other workers; hardly attracts any attention. Must happen all the time!

**marksbug** · Sep 30, 2018, 01:52 PM

the plastic sheeting works a a few diferent ways, it's tough,it wraps around and smothers the engine with it's own exhaust in addtion to raping around the blades loading the engine harder trying to stall it.

**Toolmaker51** · Sep 30, 2018, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by marksbug

the plastic sheeting works a a few diferent ways, it's tough,it wraps around and smothers the engine with it's own exhaust in addtion to raping around the blades loading the engine harder trying to stall it.

And quicker than waiting for Spiderman to arrive, assess and act accordingly amidst accordion accompaniment.

**marksbug** · Sep 30, 2018, 02:27 PM

perhaps the dead man switch didnt want to switch as he could get killed dead....again...wonder where you get those dead men to switch back and forth on this kinda stuff... something to ponder on..

**Jon** · Oct 16, 2019, 08:30 PM

Another one in the out-of-control-power-trowel genre, and this one smacks a couple of hapless workers.

**Frank S** · Oct 16, 2019, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jon

Another one in the out-of-control-power-trowel genre, and this one smacks a couple of hapless workers.

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Another one with the dead man throttle wired wide open.
I used to see workers do this all the time because after hours and hours of running the trowels that control gets hard to hold so they wire it open.
About as smart as wiring the engine stop lever open on a lawn mower then reaching down to clear the grass from the chute

**Toolmaker51** · Oct 16, 2019, 10:53 PM

Power trowels can't make friends, it's obvious as he vacillates from one to the next, pleading for attention.
Not stereotyping [one fingering at the moment, lol] but the moppet cut, dark haired workers tells a big part of the story.

**Hoosiersmoker** · Oct 18, 2019, 06:27 AM

Looks like the guy in the red shirt got a broken left ankle out of it too. He just moved his foot into a very tight spot pinned between the form and dirt behind him. After it hits him he tries to walk forward and when he puts his left foot down the second time it folds. If the guy had let go it would have dropped off the far edge with no injury.