[I]t seems to be an older model, perhaps something that was bought new by a ski resort... most likely a PB240D — a mid-range PistenBully model from the 1980s.... weigh[ing] in at nearly 13,250 lbs without attachments. Marvel movie training regiment or no, that’s a lot of weight to have crushing down on your chest.... A piece of specialty equipment purchased to help his kids have a fun winter....
Renner groomed sledding trails on his Nevada property...
.... used to rescue a relative from the snow, that turned around and caught him unaware.
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Renner’s acting chops are formidable — check out his performance as James Coughlin in Ben Affleck’s The Town or as Carmine Polito in David O. Russell’s American Hustle.
Never heard of a PistenBully before. Never heard of Jeremy Renner, either.
Or the reindeer that ran over grandma.
1st pass guess. One or more safety cutouts were ignored or disabled. Also, specialty equipment needs diligent operation. Nothing is intuitive about operating special use equipment. It is that intuitive response that will get you hurt/killed.
It sounds like this unit is full hydrostatic. Meaning no clutch or break, just a speed lever. to stop you pull back to slow then stop with the speed lever in a neutral position. Then a brake needs to be engaged. More than likely a sensor in the driver seat shuts down the engine if the brake is not set. That seat sensor likely was by-passed. He got out with the machine stopped. Then it started to creep, either gravity, or the neutral detente was not in proper adjustment. The only way back to the controls is climbing onto the moving track.
Too bad, he seems like a pretty decent chap, as actors go. I hope he makes a full recovery quickly. Heavy equipment is not something to ever be trusted - we've become so accustomed to operating motor vehicles that have too many safety features built-in to count - including features that specifically enhance driveability and safety, in spite of the operator. Heavy equipment is task-designed, and operator safety comes second around primary purpose - as Renner found out. Surprised that he jumped onto a moving tread though, that's a bit like wading through swift water - you're going to be swimming faster than you think.
It's a formidable looking machine. Doesn't look like it's for amateurs or dilettantes. There are some problems that only the very wealthy encounter. Snowmobiles and snowboards probably kill more people though.
Is this the one news story where it's okay to say...
"Okay, Groomer"?
With the PistenBully - ya got no complaintz!
With the PistenBully - ya got no complaintz!
I used to work at a ski area, but only in the winter. It takes real skill to operate a groomer it's not something for weekend warriors. Whatever the cause he is lucky his extremities weren't churned to hamburger.
I like his movies I hope he has a complete and speedy recovery.
Looks like fun, and high maintenance.
Two things that often go together.
My uncle ran a ski hill and was an expert groomer. I was always afraid of these things. Not as afraid of the PTO on farm equipment but maybe second. Something about those wide tracks...
I imagined it was an ordinary snow blower, not this monster, but when you're something like a star, that's what you buy. Renner tried to use the beast for good, helping out his family, neighbors, and community, but could not tame the creature.
Tahoe is beautiful, but stories about the Donner Party kept me from ever living there. Freezing to death and cannibalism were major deterrents. The possibility of being Anton Yelchined never even occurred to me.
Sounds like an unfortunate accident. I hope Mr. Renner makes a full recovery. Never like to see people get hurt regardless of their celebrity status.
Vehicles like the PistenBully are commonly used to groom ski slopes. They are very capable, but require a trained and cautious operator. There are safety interlocks, but those can be disengaged for specific purposes or unwisely bypassed. They look like fun to drive. I've had a few opportunities to talk to operators, who confirmed they are fun and dangerous. I was a little to read that Jeremy Renner owns one.
The scenario described by Iowan2 is probably pretty close. Renner did something dumb with powerful equipment.
Nightfall (1956) has a great snowplow scene where the bad guys try to run over our hero with a snowplow. Good scene. 2 1/2 movie. Aldo Ray, Brian Keith
If it was on top of him then he survived because of the snow cushion.
I had a snowmobile flip over on me once in Canada, but it was in deep snow and it just pushed me into the snow. Not fun, but not a death blow...
Wishing Jeremy a full recovery, and wondering if I am the only person in the world who would get a kick out of seeing Jeremy Renner appear in a film with his Franco-Belgian counterpart, Jérémie Renier. Long lost brothers? Not quite identical cousins?
He's a great actor. I hope he makes a good recovery. At least enough to return to his craft when ready.
PS- He's best known for his movies, but the TV show he does on the Paramount network (Paramount +) comes back for season 2 in about 10 days. 'Mayor of Kingstown'. Pretty good show.
Used to drive the Thiokol version of that machine grooming ski hills. If you didn't fasten the seat belt and hit bumps on a side slope, it would buck you right out the door onto the track, you would be propelled forward and down and then under it as it kept going, whereupon the 1.5" U-channel tracks would mash you into the (hopefully) deep snow, or grind you up if it wasn't deep enough. No fun. But, aside from learning the hydraulics for attachments, they're easier to drive than a lawnmower.
Yikes! Like others I thought it was just a regular snow-cat with a plow on the front. This looks more formidable. I can imagine it takes some skill to deal with one of these things.
Renner starred in a sleeper film called "Wind River", about a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Officer dealing a murder on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Renner was quite good in it and struck me as someone comfortable with the harsh conditions of places like this. I too hope he makes a full recovery.
My dream was to buy a T28 B or C trainer aircraft to do real flying. I could have got a good one for $60K. I got distracted and never did it, stuck with my Cessna 182. But I would have probably killed myself with the high powered plane. It would have been too expensive and too inconvenient to have a co pilot all the time.
But I did get to run all the big mining rigs, for personal fulfillment, underground and on the surface in the pits, 300 ton trucks, so there is that. They could not tell the boss that he could not run a few trips and put some ore in the box.
Re the comment about how rich people buy more Machine than they can handle.
(Jeremy) Clarkson's Farm on prime is a wonderful show. He decides he is going to farm it himself and first needs a tractor. He looks at some ford's and Massey-Ferguson.
Then buys a Lamborghini tractor. Mainly because it is a Lambo, he is Clarkson and has plenty of money.
Everyone complains is is too big. Won't fit in the barn etc.
Beautiful tractor, though.
John Henry
KellyM,
"Wind River" is the first thing I think of when Jeremy Renner comes up. I found it tough to watch, but very good. Renner impressed me; I thought all the key actors, and some minor ones, did quite well.
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