How to Operate Tractors Safely
Your versatile and hardy tractor is one of the most important machines on your farm, and it can make short work of a number of jobs that you need to get done. Since it is a rugged and heavy piece of equipment, you do have to consider safety when you’re operating it. Middletown Tractor Sales is your local tractor dealer in Fairmont and Buckhannon, WV as well as Washington and Uniontown, PA, and we’ve compiled some safety precautions you should follow when working with one of these machines. If you’re looking for tractors for sale, contact our sales team for further assistance.
Know Your Model
A lot of what we’ll discuss below is applicable to most of the tractor models on the market, but there might be some safety steps you have to take for your particular model. To find any specific safety precautions, you have to go through your owner’s manual. Also pay attention to all the safety labels and colors on your tractor itself. Caution signs are yellow, warning signs are orange and danger is indicated by red. If you need to wear hearing or eye protection, make sure you do so before you begin working.
Dress Right
Your tractor (and all its attachments and implements) has moving parts that you have to work around carefully. To increase safety on your farm, make sure you wear the right attire. Don’t wear anything that’s loose and flowing, as the material can get caught in the moving parts of the machine. If you’re wearing a shirt, make sure you tuck in the tails and wear shoes that are sturdy with non-skid soles. Avoid wearing things like scarves. Use appropriate safety gear whenever needed, like heavy work gloves and safety glasses.
Start Safely
Do not start your tractor if you’re not in the cab! When you’re outside the cab, you don’t know if the transmission is in park or neutral. In case the manual transmission is in gear when you start the engine, the tractor is going to start to move. This increases the chance of someone getting run over. To ensure it nevers does a by-pass start, you can get retro-fit shields. Often tractors are designed for solo operators only, so don’t take people along with you for a ride. Have only as many passengers as there are seat belts. Always mount and dismount carefully.
Avoid Rearward Rollovers
A common tractor accident is a rollover. When the rear tires of a vehicle don’t rotate enough to move it forward, the tractor can then tip backwards, which is called a rearward rollover. To avoid rearward rollovers, you should avoid working on slopes, backing the tractor up hills and properly stabilizing the tractor when you’re going to be doing heavy work. To improve traction and hitch any attachments/loads properly, you should also use tire chains or boards. If you change the tractor speed gradually and apply power smoothly, it should also help you avoid rearward rollovers.
Avoid Sideways Rollovers
You can tip your vehicle onto its side if you try to turn your tractor sharply or take on a very steep incline, which is called a sideways rollover. The first thing to do is get a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) on the tractor, which will help keep the operator safe in case a rollover does happen. Other safety precautions include refraining from operating the tractor on a slope, taking turns at moderate speeds, properly stabilizing the tractor and avoiding driving close to roadside ditches. Always ensure the operator wears their seatbelt before they begin working.
Roadway Rules
A tractor moves much more slowly than commuter vehicles, so you should try to limit driving on the roads. If you have to travel on roads, pick the times when there will be little to no traffic. You should have a slow-moving vehicle emblem on your tractor, along with turn signals, reflective tape and lights. Ensure you use your turn signals correctly as sometimes motorists assume a tractor that has slowed down is letting them pass, while it might just have slowed down to take a turn. Whenever possible, pull off the road to let cars pass you safely. Use hand signals to let motorists know you’re letting them pass you. If you can, use pilot vehicles to escort your tractor on longer trips.
General Safety Tips
Before you begin working with your tractor, conduct a quick inspection to make sure everything is good to go. All operators should know how to balance and ballast load a tractor. The vehicle should only be started in an open and well-ventilated space. Before your tractor begins to move, make sure no humans or animals are in the way, and always stay aware of your blind spots. Don’t jump off a moving tractor and never leave a running tractor unattended. Always be aware of any terrain hazards and also keep the floor of your operator cab clean; ropes and tools thrown about can interfere when you’re driving.
We hope this information helps you make your farm or your job site safer! For more help or to check out tractors for sale, contact Middletown Tractor Sales and one of our expert staff will gladly help you out! We’re proud to be the leading tractor dealer serving the great folks of Marion, Harrison, Barbour, Monongalia, and Upshur County, WV as well as Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland, Washington, and Allegheny County, PA!