HARVESTING SAFETY
Exposure to powerful agricultural machinery occurs most often during the harvest season Operators may be less familiar with seasonal equipment used only a few days each year and may not be accustomed to situations that pose possible dangers or risk. For these reasons, it is important to be familiar with harvest equipment and be able to anticipate and avoid potentially hazardous.
CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS WHILE HARVESTING
Tractors are most commonly used to haul various pieces of equipment needed during harvest. Various field conditions such as ruts, hills, mud, or the addition of front-end loaders can affect the stability of a tractor. The operator must be constantly aware of changing conditions and make adjustments as necessary.
IMPROPER USE, HITCHING, OR MAINTENANCE OF IMPLEMENTS
Harvesting forage crops may involve mowers, rakes, balers, stackers, loaders, and other machines. All have moving parts that can easily entangle a person who comes in contact with them. Improper hitching of the implements could cause the tractor to overturn. Improper maintenance may result in loose parts flying off and striking bystanders or workers. Trying to unclog a machine when it is still running is a major reason for serious accidents.
WORKING IN UNFAMILIAR FIELDS
Hitting a hole, rut, or stump may cause an overturn, or throw the operator from the platform of the tractor and cause an accident.
UNSAFE TRANSPORT OF EQUIPMENT
Going too fast, not having clear sight when turning onto the road, failure to have the proper signs and lights, and not driving defensively all contribute to accidents. Driving on the shoulder, half on the road and half off, is dangerous since it encourages people to pass in possibly unsafe or dangerous situations.
LIFTING BALES ONTO A TRUCK OR WAGON
Sudden movements by the truck or tractor can throw workers off balance. Workers can fall off the platform and be run over by the machine, or they can lose control of the hay bale causing it to fall off the platform and strike a worker.
BEFORE HARVESTING
- Equipment should be made harvest-ready in the off-season, or at least several weeks before use.
- Review operation manuals and follow maintenance guidelines. Cleaning, proper lubrication, replacement of worn parts (belts, chains, springs, hydraulic hoses, etc.) and replacing shields may save valuable time during the short harvest period.
- Secure all guards and shields before starting equipment. These protective devices reduce the chance that people will get caught in moving parts.
- Examine fields for changes since last fall: debris, limbs or foreign objects and driving hazards such as holes and ditch formation or undercutting.
- Remove stumps, stones, or other debris from the field, or clearly mark them to prevent upsets, turnovers, and damage to equipment. Also mark ditches and banks.
- Some banks are undercut. You need to be aware that what appears to be the edge may not be solid but that there may be an open space below it.
- Plan harvesting so equipment travels downhill on steep slopes to avoid overturns. Space tractor wheels as far apart as possible when operating on slopes.
- Make sure the hydraulic hoses are clean and in good repair and hooked up correctly. Check the twine feeding and cutting mechanisms to see that they are working properly and that your twine is in good condition.
- Keep fluids clean and check often for damage to the system. Use a piece of cardboard to check for hydraulic leaks, as the high pressure can penetrate the skin.
- Also check the slip clutch, roll scraper and rear gate latch to make sure they are adjusted and functioning according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Many machines also have belts and chains. Keep these in good repair and have the right tension on them at all times.
- Be sure the tractor has front-end ballast. This will prevent the tractor from tipping backwards.
- Make sure all machines are hooked up correctly—do not hook up a 540-rpm mower to a 1,000-rpm PTO. Operating a mower or forage harvester at excessive speed can cause machine failure and possible injuries from flying debris if parts fail.
- When loading bales manually, be sure that the driver does not start and stop suddenly. This can throw workers off the wagon or truck. Make sure workers do not ride on top of the stack. They could fall off and be run over.
- Instruct workers to be aware of the stack condition and where fellow workers are throwing the bales. Bales falling off the stack can strike a worker and result in a serious injury. Lock or secure machines such as headers, bars, and stackers, when working on them. Block the wheels too. This will keep the machine from falling or rolling on workers as it is being repaired.
- Finally, check all lights and warning reflectors, and clean your slow-moving vehicle emblem. Check your fire extinguisher to see that it is in proper operating condition.
CONVENTIONAL BALERS
- The flywheel maintains the uniform momentum of a baler’s working parts. It also keeps the machine operating for a considerable time after power is disengaged. Never attempt to work on a baler until the flywheel has completely stopped. The flywheel can be turned manually to permit slow motion observation of the knotter function.
- However, it should never be turned while someone else is working on the knives, knotter or other moving parts.
ROUND BALE HAZARDS
There are some key points to consider when harvesting and handling large round bales.
- Equipment used to handle the big bales should be fitted with rollover protective structures. Never attempt to carry a round bale in a loader bucket. All loaders should be equipped with a spear or grapple that is specifically designed for the size of the round bales being handled.
- Loaders should be equipped with a restraining device that will prevent a loose bale from sliding backwards.
- Loaders must be large enough and equipped with sufficient counterweight to handle bales safely. Set wheels at maximum width to increase stability.
- Avoid steep slopes and rough terrain when moving bales with a loader. If it is impossible to avoid sloping land, approach bales from the downhill side.
- Avoid sudden stops, starts or changes of direction. Be very cautious and travel at low speed when carrying a bale. Always keep bales as low as possible for maximum stability. The risk of a bale breaking free is greater when loader arms are raised because the load is less stable.
- Wagons used to haul bales should be of sufficient width and have end racks to prevent bales from moving off the ends and sides during transport.
- Use good judgment when stacking bales in storage. High stacks make efficient use of available space, but removal could be hazardous.
- Carefully transport round bales from the field to storage. Keep the load as low as possible. Use the controls smoothly, avoiding jerky movements.
- Do not travel too fast and make sure that there is adequate ballast on the front and rear to counter balance the load.
FORAGE HARVESTERS
- Always disengage the PTO and shut off the tractor/harvester before working on equipment. Allow the machine to stop before hooking up wagons.
- Doors and shields should be tightly latched to deflect objects thrown by the cutter.
- Stay well clear of the discharge spout while the harvester is operating. To avoid being hit by objects from the spout completely stop the machine before hooking up wagons.
- Components may continue to rotate for several minutes after the power is shut off. Do not open doors until all parts have stopped moving.
- Knives must be kept sharp and properly balanced for safe, effective operation. Follow maintenance procedures specified in the owner’s manual.
