Tractor Operations━Safety Tips

Tractors are the backbone of agricultural enterprises so it’s not hard to see why operators turn to them to handle a wide variety of work that crops up on a farm. As with any other machine that’s sturdy and tough, you have to keep safety a priority when operating a tractor. We at Magnum Power have compiled the following information to help you stay safe on your farm when working with tractors. If you’re still looking for that perfect tractor, visit our dealership in Lawson, MO and we’ll give you a tour of what we have in stock. If you’re looking for tractors for sale in Clay County or near Kansas City, get in touch with our sales department today.

Your Owner’s Manual

The tractor safety tips you’re about to read are applicable to most tractors on the market. However, sometimes individual models have safety precautions that are applicable only to them. You can find out about any such recommendations in your owner’s manual. Pay close attention to any safety labels or colors on the tractor. 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.

Proper Attire

Your tractor has plenty of moving parts, as do the implements and attachments that are hitched to it. Step one of staying safe when working with tractors is to wear the right clothes. Don’t wear anything too loose-fitting or flowy as it can get caught in the moving parts of the machines around you. Avoid wearing scarves and tuck in the tails if you’re wearing a shirt. Your shoes should be sturdy with non-skid soles. Use appropriate safety gear whenever needed, like heavy work gloves and safety glasses.

Starting Your Tractor

You should never start a tractor when you’re not in the cab. This is because when you’re outside the cab, you can’t tell if the transmission is in neutral or park. If the manual transmission is in gear when you start the engine, the tractor will start to move, which has led to people getting run over in the past. You can get retro-fit shields for your tractor to ensure it won’t by-pass start. Always mount and dismount carefully. Usually, tractors aren’t meant for multiple operators so don’t take someone along for a ride. Have only as many passengers as there are seat belts.

Rearward Rollovers

A lot of tractor accidents are the result of rollovers. When the rear wheels of your tractor don’t rotate enough to move the vehicle forward, the tractor tips backward; this is called a rearward rollover. You can avoid these types of rollovers by stabilizing the tractor properly before doing any heavy work. You should also avoid working on slopes and backing up the tractor when going uphill. You should also use tire chains or boards to improve traction and hitch any attachments/loads properly. If you change the tractor speed gradually and apply power smoothly, it should also help you avoid rearward rollovers.

Sideways Rollovers

When you tip your tractor to the side, it’s called a sideways rollover. This happens when you try to turn your tractor too sharply or take on a pretty steep incline. The first thing to do is get a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) on the tractor. This will keep the operator safe in case a rollover does happen. Other things you can do are: refrain from operating the tractor on a slope, take turns at moderate speeds, properly stabilize the tractor, and avoid driving close to roadside ditches. Always ensure the operator wears their seatbelt before they begin working.

Rules of the Road

Your tractor moves much slower than commuter vehicles so try and restrict the amount of time you spend on roads. If you have to travel on roads, try to do so at times when there’s little to no traffic. Make sure you have a slow-moving vehicle emblem, turn signals, reflective tape, and lights. Use your turn signals properly, 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. When you can, 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

All operators must perform a general quick inspection before they start using their tractors. They should also be knowledgeable about how to balance and ballast load a tractor. Always start the tractor in an open or well-ventilated space. Before you start moving the tractor, ensure there are no humans or animals in the way, and always be 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.

Hopefully, you’ll find these tips useful when increasing safety on your farm. To check out some tractors for sale in Lawson, MO, visit Magnum Power. We’re here for all the farm equipment needs of our friends in Clay County, as well as those coming from Kansas City.