Tractor Safety

1. Tractor Safety

2. 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.

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

4. Common Injuries • Broken bones • Head injuries • Crushed injuries • Amputations • Death

5. 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 Before You Start • Inspect the tractor before each use.

6. 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.

7. 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!!!!!!!!!!

8. 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.

9. Safe Operation • 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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)

14. 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.

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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!!!!

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

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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!!!!

28. 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.

29. 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!!!

30. 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.

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