Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Caterpillar

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Big Bob

02-07-2005 13:29:35




Report to Moderator

I"m 75 and have asbestosis and lung cancer as a result of the years operating the Cat 8R, 2U, 13A, 14A and DW-21 Scrapers in So. CA.

Is anyone else out there in the same situation?




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Seann

02-09-2005 12:49:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Big Bob, 02-07-2005 13:29:35  
Big bob sorry to hear about your predicament. I heard that some retired welders also have this problem, apparently they used asbestos as rod coating way back when. Also, ex Navy/merchant seamen/ship builder guys are at risk because they used asbestos extensively on ships plumbing (as they did in buildings as well). And of course they put asbestos in everything from ceiling tiles, to floor tiles, to home siding, to roofing materials, brake and clutch linings and on and on. If you live (and have lived) in an older home for many years, take a look at some of the surrounding materials used in its construction. Although most of them are not harmful because they are not "friable" (i.e. they break up easy)...but I have heard of old ceiling tiles coming apart and giving off dangerous dust.

I remember when I was in college and I found this really old book stashed away on one of the back shelves. It was from the early 40's and was an advertisement from an asbestos company which displayed some of the many uses for asbestos. Incredibly, one of the examples was for snow used on movie sets! They had a picture of this fine looking young woman on a movie set with all these chunks of fluffy asbestos in her hair and with it falling down all around her. It did look just like snow!

When I looked at that I wondered what ever happened to her. It also makes you wonder what supposedly benign substances we commonly use today will eventually be considered as harmful as asbestos 30 years from now.

Good luck, hope you find out where this stuff came from.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Joel Harman

02-08-2005 05:13:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Big Bob, 02-07-2005 13:29:35  
Bob, I do not want to kick you while you are down, but, did you smoke cigarettes when younger?

You would be surprised at the ingredients added in ready mades. Most were designed to addict you to tobacco.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Big Bob

02-08-2005 17:07:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Joel Harman, 02-08-2005 05:13:42  
Wayne & Joel..... ..... I agree smoking could be a contributing factor but in my case I have BAC, which apparently is a 'scar cancer' and is usually not associated with smoking (tho I did smoke and quit over 20 years ago).

I lost two good friends to lung disease who operated along with me.

I just feel the years operating (before hydraulics) when I sat directly above the source of the heat and odor must be the cause and wondered if anyone else still alive remembers the 'good old days'.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
NC Wayne

02-07-2005 19:39:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Big Bob, 02-07-2005 13:29:35  
Hey Bob, sorry to hear about your cancer. Like Dale though I kinda wonder if there wasn't some other contributing factor to the cancer. I know there are alot of things that can increase the potential for anybody to get it but I've also heard alot of it is genetics. Dad has been working on the old friction cranes for nearly all his life and I've been right there with him a large part of mine. In all those years I've never heard Dad talk about any of the operators who complain of lung problems related to operation of their machines. I've personally known guys that started out 50 plus years ago, (long before I was even born) operating the same type of equipment you did, along with their cranes, with no problems. The main health complaints always seem to be joint/back pain from man-handling the controls and the general rough ride of the machines. I know they took the asbestos out of all the linings years back because it was supposed to be hazardous but yours is the first complaint like this I've heard..... .Do't let it get out though or it won't be long til somebody out there decides to sue CAT, Northwest, BE, American, or any of the other equipment mfgs because of their health problems, and we'll all wind up paying through the nose for new equipment to cover their court costs..... . I had a Grandfather that passed away from cancer and it was a tough fight for him right til the end. Still they said his stubborness/will to live, or whatever you want to call it let him have several more good years before it took him. Good luck in your fight against it and I wish you many more good years.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dale(MO)

02-07-2005 13:44:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Big Bob, 02-07-2005 13:29:35  
Bob, Pardon me if this is a stupid question, but - do you feel that these conditions were the direct result of the equipment you ran, or was it caused by the type of earth you were moving? Just wanted to ask.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Big Bob

02-07-2005 15:20:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: Caterpillar in reply to Dale(MO), 02-07-2005 13:44:49  
I feel I was exposed to asbestos while working the old manual system - steering clutch, brakes, mechanical linkage.

When a clutch is engaged, slippage is 100%; then decreases to less than 1% when fully engaged. The slippage generates heat that can exceed 900 degrees F.

I can vividly recall the burning odor and the heat while in the seat. Hotter than Hades!!!

In So. CA, I don't recall working around any Serpentine rock.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy