Tractor Safety

Tractor Safety

Know Your Tractor Be thoroughly familiar with the Operator Manual(s) for your tractor and any implements before starting up the equipment. Know each control, its location and how it works. Know how to stop the tractor and all implements quickly in the event of an emergency. ROPS Many tractor accidents are overturns. They are usually caused by inappropriate speed or application, terrain, inattention, lack of proper ballast, or a combination of these. The use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) and a fastened seat belt has saved many lives. They generally will limit a side overturn to ninety degrees (90°) and will provide an important safety zone for the operator provided the operator is wearing the seat belt. If you are renting a tractor, ask your rental dealer about a ROPS. Make sure your tractor has this important safety device. ROPS are attached to the tractor frame and come as either two post fixed or foldable, four post, or as an integral part of a ROPS cab. Fixed ROPS may interfere in areas of low clearance or overhead obstructions in certain situations, such as, low hanging roofs or low tree branches in orchards, where vertical clearance is not sufficient for safe operation. In these limited circumstances, removal of the ROPS may be necessary. However, all fixed ROPS should be re-installed immediately after the low clearance condition of operation has passed. Foldable ROPS should only be folded down when absolutely necessary and should be folded up and locked again immediately after the low clearance condition of operation has passed. Seat belts are an integral part of any ROPS and should always be used. However, the seat belt should not be used when a foldable ROPS is down, or a fixed ROPS is removed. Safety Labels Read and follow the messages they provide for your safety and the safety of others. In particular, be familiar with the "Safety Alert" symbols: "Danger", "Warning" and "Caution". Keep safety labels clean and free from obstructing material. Replace damaged or missing labels with new ones. If a component having a safety label is replaced, make sure a new safety label is attached in the same location on the new part. Dress Properly Well-fitted, belted clothing is a must. Flared pants, shirt tails, scarves and other loose clothing are too easily (and too often) caught in moving parts or controls. Further protect yourself from this hazard of entanglement by wearing long hair under a hat or net and by avoiding jewelry. Invest in sturdy, safety work shoes or boots with non-skid soles and steel toe caps; wear eye and hearing protection as appropriate or required. Protect yourself from the sun in summer and the cold in winter. Take extra care with cold weather and rain gear. Heavy work gloves are a plus, as are safety goggles or sunglasses with shatter-proof lenses. Check the Work Area Know in advance where hidden ditches, large rocks, stumps or any other debris is located. Be wary of tall grass - it can cover hazards. Walk the area first to be sure. Make sure the area is clear of children and animals. Who's Your Operator? Please pay particular attention as to who operates your tractor. For example, someone with a short attention span and a tendency to be irresponsible or a person who is tired are not good candidates. Be sure the operator reads and understands the Operator's Manual(s); is familiar with the tractor; and is fully aware of his or her responsibilities. Have young operators take the 4-H or FFA Tractor Program for new operators. Be aware of your own responsibilities under OSHA regulations and local laws relating to tractors and tractor operation. Maintenance is a Must Daily maintenance is the best way to keep your tractor in top-running condition, and a well-maintained tractor is a safer tractor. Maintenance is not something to be put off until tomorrow. Guided by your Operator's Manual(s) and your dealer, set up a maintenance routine and follow it. Use only the correct fuel and never fuel your tractor while it is running, or hot. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Wipe off the area around the fuel cap both before and after fueling. Don't smoke while handling fuel. If diesel fuel is spilled on your hands or skin, wash it off right away so that you avoid skin irritation and to prevent your hands from slipping on the tractor controls when you drive off. Before operating the tractor, visually check for oil leaks on the engine, transmission and axles. Correct such leaks as soon as possible. Also, hydraulic and diesel fuel leaks can occur under high pressure; these require special care and attention. Use a piece of cardboard or wood to locate suspected high pressure leaks - DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS. Hydraulic fluid or diesel fuel under high pressure can penetrate the skin causing very serious injury and allergic reaction. For your safety, repair hydraulic and diesel fuel leaks immediately. No Riders There is only one seat on tractors - the operator's. There is no safe place for anyone else, either on the tractor itself or on any of its implements. Make it a firm, unbreakable, no-exceptions rule: NO RIDERS! Children Tragedy can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are generally attracted to tractors and the work they do. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Keep children out of the work area and under the watchful eye of another responsible adult. Be alert and shut your tractor down if children enter the work area. Never carry children on your tractor. There is no safe place for them to ride. They may fall off and be run over or interfere with your control of the machine. Never allow children to operate the tractor, even under adult supervision. Never allow children to play on the tractor or implement. Use extra caution when backing up, look behind and down - make sure area is clear before moving. When parking your tractor, if at all possible, park on flat ground; if not, park across a slope. Set the parking brake(s), lower the implements to the ground, remove the key from the ignition and lock the cab door (if equipped) and chock the wheels. Start Up Follow Your Operator's Manual. It contains start-up procedures. Do not start engine by shorting across starter terminals or bypassing the safety start switches. The machine may start in gear and move if normal starting circuitry is by-passed. DO NOT IMPROVISE! If your battery is dead and requires the use of jumper cables or needs recharging, there is the potential for an explosion and injury from acid burns if safe procedures are not followed. Follow instructions provided in your Operator's Manual(s). Never start or run the engine in a shed or garage unless the door is wide open and the area well ventilated. CARBON MONOXIDE IS COLORLESS, ODORLESS AND DEADLY! Don't ever start the engine from anywhere other than the seat. You must be firmly seated, seat belt buckled (if your tractor is equipped with ROPS), parking brake(s) on, clutch pedal fully depressed, all controls in neutral, immediate area clear of children, pets and livestock. Before driving off, check all gauges, warning lights and controls and listen for any unusual noises. Be sure the implement is in the proper transport position before shifting into gear. Speed Always keep in mind that a tractor is a workhorse, not a racehorse. It must be operated at a safe speed. Be especially careful going to and from the field or work area - many tractor accidents happen during that trip! Again, never be in a hurry. To help assure straight-line stops when driving at transport speeds, lock brake pedals together. Hillsides Use special caution on slopes and uneven ground. Drive at a speed slow enough to maintain complete control of the tractor at all times. Don't depress the clutch pedal or attempt to shift gears while going up or down a slope. If you have to go up a slope, it is best to back up. Be sure that your tractor is properly counter-weighted. Generally, if you feel uneasy about what you are doing with your tractor, stop doing it! Stormy Weather In rainy weather, stay alert for holes or ditches hidden under water. Cut your speed to the minimum. If there is a thunderstorm, stop; get off the tractor; stay away from large trees, power lines, etc.; and go indoors if possible. In icy conditions, use extreme caution. Use tire chains and wheel weights. Again, drive at a speed slow enough to maintain complete control of the tractor at all times. The Drawbar Hitch Hitch only to the drawbar when pulling a load - it's the only safe place for any kind of pulling or towing. Hitching to the axle or top link bracket can cause the tractor to flip over backwards very quickly. Be sure no loose chains, ropes or cables are dangling or dragging from either the tractor or the implement. They can catch under a wheel, on a stump or on a rock and cause a serious or fatal accident. Power Take-Off An operating power take-off (PTO) can be the most dangerous part of your tractor, which is why extra caution is necessary. Always keep the protection shields in place. An unguarded rotating shaft is very powerful, and can entangle your clothes at a rate too fast to be stopped in time. NEVER, EVER work around rotating parts. Shut the tractor down, remove the key and wait for everything to stop turning before entering the PTO area. Transport Operations General. Although tractors are not generally made for public roads, there are times when such travel cannot be avoided. Please remember that your tractor/implement combination can be large, heavy and relatively cumbersome and that the average motorist is not expecting to encounter such a vehicle on the road. With that in mind, and before you move your tractor and attachments over public roads, consider your route, be sure you are familiar with all local regulations. Use an SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle) sign, proper clearance flags, lights and warning signals. Use an escort vehicle as appropriate or required for additional safety. Be sure the brake pedals are locked together and properly adjusted to assure straight-line stops. Prepare Your Attachments. Make sure they are secure, properly mounted and the tractor is properly counter-weighted. Carry them in the transport position. Remove or cover sharp projections. Never operate attachments during transport. Keep the PTO lever in neutral. On the Road. Safe driving on the road is a must, and a safe driver is a courteous driver. Slow down, pull over and let the normal traffic pass you. Be extremely careful at intersections. Remember, your tractor is not capable of fast starts, fast stops, or quick acceleration. When you approach a traffic light, adjust your speed to ensure the maximum time available for safe crossing and to minimize the need for stopping, particularly on a steep hill. Control Your Speed. A tractor is designed for easy maneuverability at low speeds, not high speeds. A tractor's steering reacts quickly, especially in high gear, so keep both hands on the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, about one-third of all fatal tractor accidents occur on public roads - so be very careful. Slow Down on Turns or Curves. A tractor's center of gravity is generally higher than that of most automobiles and taking a sharp curve too fast can more easily result in an overturn. Slow down if you are pulling a heavy load on the highway. You have only two brakes - one on each rear wheel* - and the load may have no brakes at all. Have the tractor in the same gear going downhill as you would to go up, in order to use engine compression for braking. Never, ever, coast downhill. This is a very dangerous practice. It will allow the tractor speed to exceed that for which it was designed. Know Your Stopping Distance. Always leave enough room to stop. Never use the differential lock while in transport because the tractor will tend to continue in a straight line when you are attempting to turn. Most states require that an SMV sign be placed on the rear of any tractor or its towed attachment when traveling 25 mph or slower. The sign, a fluorescent yellow-orange triangle with a dark red reflective border, should be centered and two to six feet above the ground. Public road driving should be done in the daytime if at all possible, and during the lightest traffic hours. The best and safest rule is not to drive on any public road at night. If it becomes necessary, however, be sure you are completely in compliance with your state and local laws concerning lights - white for the front and red for the rear. There should also be an amber or red light on the farthest projection to the left (i.e., traffic) side, whether it's the tractor or the attachment. If you have to stop at night, pull completely off tthe road and set up flares or reflectors. Stay off the shoulders when possible. If you must drive on the shoulder, reduce your speed and keep a sharp eye out for rocks, holes, soft spots, side rails, slopes and other hazards. Four wheel drive tractors behave and brake differently between two- and four-wheel drive. Some tractors have full-time, 4-wheel braking when both pedals are pressed together. Familiarize yourself with the difference and use carefully. Shutdown When you shut down your tractor for one reason or another, put the PTO lever in neutral and lower attachments to the ground. Shut off the engine and set the parking brake(s). Remove the key. Whenever possible, park on level ground. If it is necessary to park on a grade, position the tractor at right angles to the slope and chock the wheels securely. Don't jump off the tractor. Use the steps and handholds, face towards the tractor, and watch your step. (The steps should be cleaned regularly and kept free of dirt, grease and oil. A slippery step is an invitation to a fall.) THE TRACTOR AND ITS ATTACHMENTS In General The tractor attachments should be regarded as tools. As such, they can be either very useful and labor saving, or, potentially dangerous if not handled with special care. Refer to the appropriate implement and attachment Operator's Manual(s) for operating guidelines and safety instructions. Also use common sense in the use and application of attachments for the job at hand. Carelessness, impatience, and fatigue are your worst enemy around a tractor and its attachments. Be in the habit of walking around, not between, the tractor and implement. If you are tired you are more likely to make short cuts - and mistakes - so shut it down and rest. These simple precautions may save your life. Always keep all shields, guards and safety devices in place and working properly - they are installed for your safety. If shields, guards or safety devices are missing or not working, do not operate the equipment. Always shut off engine, set the park brake(s) and remove the key and be sure implement motion has stopped before performing check over, adjustments or maintenance. Never work under a raised implement without securely blocking or supporting the implement first.