Carelessness is your worst enemy around a tractor and its attachments. Take particular care when dealing with the PTO. Disengage the PTO and stop the engine when installing or removing an attachment. Here are some safety rules when using tractor attachments:
- Keep all shields and guards in place. Do not operate equipment with missing shields or guards.
Shut off engine and be sure implement motion has stopped before performing adjustments or maintenance.
- For some attachments, use counterweight for stability.
Lift rearmounted attachments and operate slowly when making sharp turns. Raise and lower attachments slowly and smoothly.
Backing Up to Attach Machinery
Agricultural workers can easily become crushed between a tractor and the machinery being attached. In these cases, there is either a breakdown of communication, control of the tractor is lost, the worker on the ground is in the wrong spot, the tractor moves rearward too much, or the tractor operator cannot see the worker - who is then crushed between the machines.
The safe solution to this situation is, the worker should not enter the area between the tractor and the machine until the tractor has been stopped, shifted into neutral, and the brakes applied. The worker should step out of the area between if adjustments have to be made between the tractor and the machine, particularly if the tractor has to be closer to the machine.
Mowers
- Avoid operation on steep slopes.
- Do not stop or start suddenly when going up or down hill.
- Shut off the engine and wait for mower blades to stop before clearing the discharge chute.
- Disengage the mower and stop the engine before making adjustments or performing maintenance.
- Always mow so that discharge is directed away from people, pets or anything that could be damaged by articles thrown from the mower chute.
- Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
- Frequently check blade mounting bolts for proper tightness.
- If you strike a foreign object, stop the engine and inspect for damage. Take the key out, lockout machine and repair any damage before restarting.
Snow Blowers
- Before the first snowfall, clear the areas where the snow removal is to take place, removing large stones, sticks, toys, etc.
- Mark such obstacles as driveway markers, water and gas shutoffs so their locations under the snow are obvious.
- Adjust the collector housing height to assure clearance above gravel or rock surfaces before operation.
- Shut off the engine and wait for attachment blades to stop before clearing the auger or discharge chute. Disengage the attachment and stop the engine before changing the position of the deflector.
- Do not clear snow across the face of slopes.
Rotary Tiller
- Never stand between the tractor and the tiller when inspecting or making adjustments.
- Make sure there is no interference when you lift, back or turn the tiller.
- Never operate the tiller if any blade bolts are missing.
- If the tractor lunges while tilling a hard surface, immediately step on the clutch and brake pedals. Inspect for damage and remove the hazards before resuming.
- At the end of a work run, always raise the tiller. It could propel the tractor if the blades continue turning in the soil.
- Shut off the engine and disengage the tiller before making adjustments or performing maintenance.
Backhoes
Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops, especially when operating on a hillside or rough ground.
- Never use any hydraulic power of the boom or bucket as a pulling or lifting device.
- Practice smooth, even transfer of loads. Sudden, jerky movements are dangerous.
- Use extreme care when working close to fences, ditches or on hillsides.
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Always operate from the operator’s seat.
- Check clearances before operating under electric lines or before entering a building.
- Never move or swing a load when people are in the swing area.
- Never swing over the truck cab.
- Be extremely careful when operating on a slope. Swing to the uphill side if possible.
- Always move soil a sufficient distance from the trench to avoid cave-ins. Make sure the tractor is level and not tilted to the slope angle.
- Make sure that the tractor is properly counter-weighted.
Front-End Loaders
Front-end loaders are used in the agricultural and landscape industries to handle many types of material from feed and manure to soil and gravel. The versatility of loaders allows you to load, lift, transport and handle materials with great ease. A heavy load raised too high can change the center of gravity and the stability of the tractor-loader combination. This can lead to situations where the tractor can tip over. There are a number of rules that you can follow to prevent such accidents from occurring:
- Keep the loader bucket low while transporting loads. Obstacles on the traveling surface such as rocks, boards, or holes in the ground could lead to a quick upset if the load is carried too high. Also, watch for overhead wires and obstacles when you raise the loader. Avoid traveling downhill with loaded buckets.
- Restrict your speed when traveling with a load. The added load that you carry in the bucket adds to the momentum of the tractor.
- Keep your load even in the bucket. Your loader can only handle so much weight and you don’t want to put undue stress on the various components. Check the operator’s manual for the capacity.
- Ballast will help give you stability. Extra ballast will help counter-balance the extra weight at the front of your tractor and reduce rollover risks.
- When not in use, remove your loader from the tractor. Having the loader always attached while trying to perform other duties, can complicate some situations, leading to poor visibility and added fuel costs.
- Don’t misuse your loader. The loader bucket is not to be used as a work platform for people. Hydraulics can fail leading to tragedy.
- When shut off, lower the bucket to the ground.
- Generally, be careful around front-end loaders. Never walk or work under a raised loader. Raise and lower loader arms slowly and steadily.
- Allow for the extra length of the loader when making turns. Never move or swing a load when people are in the work area.
