Tractor Safety

Training Objectives Understand types of common accidents and injuries. Know how to operate a tractor safely. Know how to work around a PTO safely. Know safe roadway operation rules.

Roll overs/ overturns Falls Run over Hitching PTO entanglement Carbon Monoxide poisoning Common Accidents

Common Injuries Broken bones Head injuries Crushed injuries Amputations Death

Before You Start Items to inspect include:  Fluid levels  Guarding  Lights  Controls  Gauges  Safety items (seatbelt, fire extinguisher, first- aid kit) Preparing the operator:  No loose fitting clothing  Remove jewelry  Secure long hair  Proper footwear This will assist in preventing you from being entangled in the tractors moving parts Inspect the tractor before each use.

Mounting and Dismounting Keep steps, handholds, and handrails clean and dry. Never jump from a tractor. 3 Points of contact  Handrails  Handholds  Steps Avoid pulling the steering wheel.

To Start Place the gearshift lever in “neutral” or “park.” Place all hydraulic controls in neutral. Disengage the PTO. Apply the brakes. Push down the clutch pedal. NEVER START FROM THE GROUND!!!!!!!!!!

Need a Jump Make sure the tractor is in park. Make sure the polarity is correct. Positive cable first then negative to a ground on the engine away from the battery. Avoid sparks around the battery. Wear eye, face, and hand protection.

Always start from a seated position. Never dismount with the engine running or an implement engaged. Watch for overhead obstacles. Always set the parking brake. Chock wheels if parked on an incline. NEVER allow riders. Safe Operation

Power Take-Off (PTO) Facts The shaft spins at extremely high speeds. It doesn’t take much to become entangled. At 540 RPM the shaft will rotate 9 times and travel 2.17 meters in one second. At 1000 RPM the shaft will rotate 16.7 times and travel 4 meters in one second.

Power Take-Off (PTO) Safety Always disengage the PTO and turn the tractor off before going near the PTO.  The PTO could slip or be bumped into gear if the engine is still running. Never step over the PTO. Make sure the master shield is present.

PTO Safety (con’t) Check to be sure the guards are in good condition. Wear close fitting clothes. Never wear loose fitting clothes around any type of machinery. People with long hair need to be careful when working around running PTO shafts. Make sure the correct size drive line is used for the equipment being powered.

R.O.P.S. Roll Over Protection Structure Protects operator in a rollover Must be used with a seatbelt If there is no R.O.P.S. don’t use a seatbelt Exemptions:  Tractors built before 1976  Tractors with less than 20 HP  Equipment interference  Low profile tractors Used where there is little clearance (ex. Greenhouses & orchards with low tree limbs)

Avoid Being Caught Between Moving Parts Many tractor operators are injured when they are crushed by moving parts.  Never put yourself or another person between an attachment and the tractor.  If it is an articulating tractor, be extremely cautious of the area between the front & rear tires. A slight movement of the wheel can cause the tractor to articulate with more than enough power to crush a person.  Beware of all pinch points. Tractor arms, attachments, moving parts, etc.

Tractor Stability Centrifugal Force Raising a load Carrying heavy loads Crossing steep slopes

Front-end Loaders Wide wheel setting Add rear weights Travel with bucket low Avoid fast starts & stops

Tractor Rollovers Side Rollovers Occur When:  Driving across an incline.  Driving too close to a ditch. culvert or pond.  Turning too fast.  Driving with a raised. implement.  Driving on roadways without locking brakes.

Tractor Rollovers Rear Rollovers Occur When  Hitching too high.  Driving forward up a steep slope.  Driving forward in mud or ice.  Towing a load that is too heavy.

Preventing Rollovers & Overturns Space the tires as far apart as possible or use duals. Have the proper amount of weights. Pull with the drawbar. Slow down. Leave plenty of room between ditches, ponds, and creeks. Operate the machine within its capabilities.

Preventing Falls From Tractors Operate from the operator’s seat only. Come to a complete stop before dismounting. Operate the tractor at a safe speed for conditions. Rest when tired. Use 3 points of contact when mounting and dismounting.

The “No Riders” Rule There is only 1 seat on a tractor. Do not allow anyone to ride in the loader bucket. The fenders are not a seat. Do not allow riders on the hitch. NO CHILDREN!!!!

Moving Parts Never place any part of your body in an area where a moving part may come in contact with you.

Road Safety Lock brake petals together. Always display a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem in the center of the tractor or trailer.  Never post the SMV emblem higher than 6 ft. Clearly indicate  Turns,  Slowing,  Stopping.

Road Safety (con’t) Make sure the turn can be made safely. Use flashing hazard lights and turn signals. If necessary, use an escort vehicle. Use hand signals if turn signals are not available.

Hand Signals Left Turn – left arm and hand straight out and point the first finger. Right Turn – left arm out with forearm and hand up, and palm facing forward. Slowing/Stopping – arm and hand pointed down with palm facing backwards.

To Stop Push down the clutch and apply the brakes evenly. Disengage the PTO. Lower all hydraulically powered equipment to the ground. Put the gearshift lever in “park” or “neutral”, and set the brakes. Turn the ignition off and remove the key to prevent tampering or accidental starting.

Tractor Noise Hearing protection is needed if:  You have ringing in your ears after prolonged exposure.  Speech or other sounds seem muffled after exposure.  You lose the ability to tell musical tones apart.  You fail to hear high pitched sounds. If you reach the last 2 items on this list it may be too late for your ears to recover!!!!

Loading & Unloading If possible back the tractor onto the trailer Make sure that:  the ground is level,  the ramps are clean & clear,  truck brakes are set & the wheels are chocked,  you have a spotter,  everyone stands away from the trailer,  you fasten binders so they can’t open.

Refueling Risk of FIRE or EXPLOSION. Always turn off the engine. Allow tractor to cool off. Refuel outside. Have each tractor equipped with a general-use fire extinguisher. 5 lbs or larger. Carbon Monoxide: Never start or work on a tractor in a closed shed or garage!!!

Conclusion Never push the tractor beyond its limits. Never bypass or remove safety devices. Do not allow riders. Read the owner’s manual. Follow safe operating procedures.

Any Questions????? Developed by: Hortica Loss Control Department