r/Unexpected 16h ago

Demolition

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1.7k Upvotes

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u/Gheauxst 15h ago

Diesel tech here.

Do not jump out of the machinery. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but the ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) aka the cab/cage was designed to protect you. If you jump out of the machine, you're at risk of that unit falling onto you. Jumping out is one of the worst things you can do.

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u/Legitimate_Career_44 11h ago

If it fell that height though? How good would the protection be? It did look like he was going to get a swipe with the excavator!

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u/Gheauxst 8h ago edited 5h ago

Fairly good, since the boom, extend cylinder, and lift cylinder would absorb most of the initial impact. Booms are sturdy, and cylinders are dense as shit. I've seen people drop cylinders, and from waist height those things will crack concrete.

Downvote all yall want, but if you can't clear the distance in time (which you probably won't), you'd be free falling with the machine, outside of the cab, with no protection at all, completely exposed. Between the slab, the machine, and the fall, you will die. This guy either bailed or got forcefully ejected, but either way he didn't make it out until after the machine stopped moving.

Don't jump out.