Pre-Operation CheckPre-Operation Check Fuel LevelFuel Level Coolant LevelCoolant Level Engine Oil LevelEngine Oil Level Hydraulic Oil LevelHydraulic Oil Level Battery ConditionBattery Condition Lug Nuts and WheelsLug Nuts and Wheels Tire ConditionTire Condition Loose or Defective PartsLoose or Defective Parts SMV EmblemSMV Emblem Fluid LeaksFluid Leaks

Operators Platform/StepsOperators Platform/Steps Seat/AdjustmentSeat/Adjustment Seat BeltSeat Belt Fire ExtinguisherFire Extinguisher Lighting/FlashersLighting/Flashers Visibility From Operator’s Visibility From Operator’s

SeatSeat

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What to Look for in a Pre-Operation What to Look for in a Pre-Operation Check:Check:

Low tires and leakage from valve stemLow tires and leakage from valve stem Oil or hydraulic leaks on the ground beneath the tractorOil or hydraulic leaks on the ground beneath the tractor A frayed or worn fan beltA frayed or worn fan belt Corroded battery terminalsCorroded battery terminals Loose bolts or lug nuts on wheelsLoose bolts or lug nuts on wheels Dirty cab windows that obstruct your visionDirty cab windows that obstruct your vision Headlights/Warning Lights with broken bulbs or glassHeadlights/Warning Lights with broken bulbs or glass SMV Emblem that is faded or distorted in color/shapeSMV Emblem that is faded or distorted in color/shape Fire extinguisher with a pressure gauge in “recharge” rangeFire extinguisher with a pressure gauge in “recharge” range Several tools or supplies on the operator platformSeveral tools or supplies on the operator platform

Fuel, Oil, and Coolant LevelsFuel, Oil, and Coolant Levels

http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Task%20Sheets/4.6.1%20Fuel,%20Oil,%20and%20Coolant%20Levels.pdf

Lead Acid BatteriesLead Acid Batteries Battery Case—holds the Battery Case—holds the

battery acid solution and battery acid solution and electrical storage plateselectrical storage plates

Battery Plate—Holds Battery Plate—Holds electrical charges (+) and electrical charges (+) and (-)(-)

Terminals—connected to Terminals—connected to storage plates and become storage plates and become the connecting points for the connecting points for battery cables leading to battery cables leading to the starter (+) and the the starter (+) and the ground (-)ground (-)

http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Task%20Sheets/4.6.2%20Lead%20Acid%20Batteries.pdf

Using a Battery ChargerUsing a Battery Charger Tools You Need:Tools You Need:

Safety GlassesSafety Glasses Approved Battery Approved Battery

ChargerCharger Wrenches (for Wrenches (for

battery cables)battery cables) Battery Terminal Battery Terminal

CleanerCleaner Rubber GlovesRubber Gloves

Using Jumper CablesUsing Jumper Cables Tools You Need:Tools You Need:

Safety GlassesSafety Glasses Approved Booster Cables of Approved Booster Cables of

4-,6-, or 8- gauge wire4-,6-, or 8- gauge wire Wrenches to Remove Battery Wrenches to Remove Battery

CablesCables Battery Terminal CleanerBattery Terminal Cleaner Booster Battery (usually from Booster Battery (usually from

another tractor or vehicle)another tractor or vehicle) Rubber GlovesRubber Gloves

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Tire and Wheel ConditionTire and Wheel Condition

Tire BasicsTire Basics Check tire pressure Check tire pressure

regularlyregularly Use wheel weights to Use wheel weights to

reduce excess slippage reduce excess slippage (which damages the tire)(which damages the tire)

Drive careful to avoid Drive careful to avoid damaging objectsdamaging objects

Make tire repairs Make tire repairs promptlypromptly

Tire FactsTire Facts Worn treads = poor Worn treads = poor

tractiontraction Leaking valve stems Leaking valve stems

release calcium solution release calcium solution that rusts rimsthat rusts rims

Tractor tires may cost Tractor tires may cost hundreds of dollars to hundreds of dollars to replace!replace!

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The Operator PlatformThe Operator Platform Keep steps and platform clear of mud, manure, and Keep steps and platform clear of mud, manure, and

toolstools Tractors with ROPS have seatbelts and they should Tractors with ROPS have seatbelts and they should

be used!be used! For better visibility, keep the windows and mirrors For better visibility, keep the windows and mirrors

clean!clean! Find seat adjustments and know how they workFind seat adjustments and know how they work The tractor platform compares to a cockpit in a The tractor platform compares to a cockpit in a

planeplane

Starting and Stopping Diesel and Starting and Stopping Diesel and Gas EnginesGas Engines

Gas Engine:Gas Engine: Starter motor spins Starter motor spins

engineengine Fuel and air mix enters Fuel and air mix enters

combustion chamber; combustion chamber; spark plug ignites mixspark plug ignites mix

Engine startsEngine starts

Diesel Engine:Diesel Engine: Starter motor spins the Starter motor spins the

engine and activates the engine and activates the fuel pumpfuel pump

Fuel droplets are Fuel droplets are sprayed into super hot sprayed into super hot combustion chambercombustion chamber

Engine startsEngine starts

Stopping Diesel and Gas EnginesStopping Diesel and Gas Engines GasGas

Throttle back to idle speedThrottle back to idle speed Place tractor in PARK or Place tractor in PARK or

neutral and set the brakesneutral and set the brakes Turn off ignition key and Turn off ignition key and

remove the key to prevent remove the key to prevent accidental starting by an accidental starting by an untrained personuntrained person

When parking on a hill, When parking on a hill, place the transmission in a place the transmission in a low gear with brakes setlow gear with brakes set

DieselDiesel Throttle back to idle speedThrottle back to idle speed Place tractor in PARK or Place tractor in PARK or

neutral and set the brakesneutral and set the brakes Turn off ignition key and Turn off ignition key and

remove the key to prevent remove the key to prevent accidental starting by an accidental starting by an untrained personuntrained person

Pull “red” fuel pump shut-Pull “red” fuel pump shut-off control rodoff control rod

When parking on a hill, When parking on a hill, place the transmission in a place the transmission in a low gear with brakes setlow gear with brakes set

Starting Diesel and Gas EnginesStarting Diesel and Gas Engines Gas:Gas:

Push in clutch and check that Push in clutch and check that tractor is in neutraltractor is in neutral

Adjust throttle to 1/3 openAdjust throttle to 1/3 open Choke ignition on cool daysChoke ignition on cool days Turn starter key to “on”Turn starter key to “on” Check lights and gaugesCheck lights and gauges Turn key to “start” position, but Turn key to “start” position, but

do not crank engine for more than do not crank engine for more than 10-30 seconds to avoid damage to 10-30 seconds to avoid damage to starter or running down batterystarter or running down battery

Recheck gauges (especially oil)Recheck gauges (especially oil) Warm up engine at 800-1000 Warm up engine at 800-1000

RPMS for a few minutesRPMS for a few minutes

Diesel:Diesel: Push in clutch and check that Push in clutch and check that

tractor is in neutraltractor is in neutral Adjust throttle to 1/3 openAdjust throttle to 1/3 open On cold days, turn ignition key to On cold days, turn ignition key to

warm the glow plug (DO NOT use warm the glow plug (DO NOT use ether starter fluid)ether starter fluid)

Check lights and gaugesCheck lights and gauges Turn key to “start” position, but Turn key to “start” position, but

do not crank engine for more than do not crank engine for more than 10-30 seconds to avoid damage to 10-30 seconds to avoid damage to starter or running down batterystarter or running down battery

Recheck gauges (especially oil)Recheck gauges (especially oil) Warm up engine at 800-1000 Warm up engine at 800-1000

RPMS for a few minutesRPMS for a few minutes

Mounting and Starting the TractorMounting and Starting the Tractor

Keep platform free of tools, equipment, mud, Keep platform free of tools, equipment, mud, or other debrisor other debris

Use handholds and stepsUse handholds and steps Adjust seat and steering wheelAdjust seat and steering wheel Adjust and buckle seat beltAdjust and buckle seat belt Check major controls for theCheck major controls for the

neutral position neutral position

http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Task%20Sheets/4.8%20Mounting%20and%20Starting%20the%20Tractor.pdf

Shutting Down the TractorShutting Down the Tractor Engine cool down for several minutes at fast idle Engine cool down for several minutes at fast idle

(800-1200 RPM)(800-1200 RPM) Even if hydraulics were not used, work the Even if hydraulics were not used, work the

hydraulics to relieve pressurehydraulics to relieve pressure Stop and park on the most level ground possible. Stop and park on the most level ground possible.

Set brakes and/or place gearshift in PARKSet brakes and/or place gearshift in PARK Lower attached equipment to groundLower attached equipment to ground Place all controls and switches in OFF, NEUTRAL, Place all controls and switches in OFF, NEUTRAL,

or LOCKED positionor LOCKED position Chock wheels if heavy load is attachedChock wheels if heavy load is attached

Moving and Steering the TractorMoving and Steering the Tractor

An expert tractor operator moves the tractor An expert tractor operator moves the tractor without stalling or jerkingwithout stalling or jerking

Know the gear-shift pattern of the tractor you Know the gear-shift pattern of the tractor you are usingare using

Wide turns on public roads will place the Wide turns on public roads will place the tractor and equipment into the opposite lane of tractor and equipment into the opposite lane of traffic. This creates a hazard.traffic. This creates a hazard.

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Operating the Tractor in ReverseOperating the Tractor in Reverse

Tips for backing up a tractor with an implement:Tips for backing up a tractor with an implement: Be sure seat controls are properly adjustedBe sure seat controls are properly adjusted Be sure all people, animals, and objects are clear of the Be sure all people, animals, and objects are clear of the

tractortractor Engage the clutch slowly, use a low engine speed, and Engage the clutch slowly, use a low engine speed, and

maintain foot contact with the clutch and brakemaintain foot contact with the clutch and brake Turn the top of the steering wheel in the direction you Turn the top of the steering wheel in the direction you

want the rear of the tractor to movewant the rear of the tractor to move To back with a two-wheeled implement, you must use To back with a two-wheeled implement, you must use

the rear of the tractor to force the implement to go where the rear of the tractor to force the implement to go where you want it. To move the implement to the right, steer you want it. To move the implement to the right, steer the tractor to the left and vice versa. the tractor to the left and vice versa.

Tractor StabilityTractor Stability CG—Center of Gravity is a CG—Center of Gravity is a

point where all parts of a point where all parts of a physical object balance one physical object balance one another.another.

The tractor will not The tractor will not overturn if the CG stays overturn if the CG stays inside the stability baseline.inside the stability baseline.

The CG moves around The CG moves around inside the baseline area as inside the baseline area as you operate the tractoryou operate the tractor

Reasons the CG moves Reasons the CG moves around:around: Tractor is operated on a Tractor is operated on a

steep slopesteep slope Tractor’s CG raised higher Tractor’s CG raised higher

from its natural location 10 from its natural location 10 inches above the rear axleinches above the rear axle

Tractor is going too fast for Tractor is going too fast for sharpness of turnsharpness of turn

Power is applied to the Power is applied to the tractor’s rear wheels too tractor’s rear wheels too quicklyquickly

Tractor is trying to pull a Tractor is trying to pull a load that is not hitched to the load that is not hitched to the drawbardrawbar

Operating the Tractor on Public Operating the Tractor on Public RoadsRoads

Movement HazardsMovement Hazards Pulling slowly onto roads with long and heavy loadsPulling slowly onto roads with long and heavy loads Slow tractor travel speedsSlow tractor travel speeds Left turns across traffic into narrow field lanesLeft turns across traffic into narrow field lanes Swinging into the left lane to make a right turn into a Swinging into the left lane to make a right turn into a

fieldfield Wide machinery being transportedWide machinery being transported Potential for spilled loadsPotential for spilled loads

General Practices for Tractors on General Practices for Tractors on HighwaysHighways

Time of day—avoid busy times. Moving loads after Time of day—avoid busy times. Moving loads after nightfall may be better timing, but light is a necessary nightfall may be better timing, but light is a necessary considerationconsideration

Courtesy—watch others. Let high speed traffic go firstCourtesy—watch others. Let high speed traffic go first Blind Spots—if possible avoid areas that pose visibility Blind Spots—if possible avoid areas that pose visibility

problemsproblems Shifting Loads—Whatever you spill, you are responsible for Shifting Loads—Whatever you spill, you are responsible for

cleaning up and for alerting traffic to use cautioncleaning up and for alerting traffic to use caution Safe Equipment—be sure damaged equipment doesn’t Safe Equipment—be sure damaged equipment doesn’t

create a road hazardcreate a road hazard

Lighting and MarkingLighting and Marking HeadlightsHeadlights

Two white lights mounted at the same levelTwo white lights mounted at the same level TaillightsTaillights

Two red lights mounted at the rearTwo red lights mounted at the rear Hazard FlashersHazard Flashers

Two or more lamps with amber color to the front and red color to the rearTwo or more lamps with amber color to the front and red color to the rear Turn IndicatorsTurn Indicators

Two amber lamps to the front and two red colored lights to the rear mounted Two amber lamps to the front and two red colored lights to the rear mounted with flasherswith flashers

SMV EmblemSMV Emblem One visible at 600 feet mounted to the rear and 2-10 feet above the groundOne visible at 600 feet mounted to the rear and 2-10 feet above the ground

ReflectorsReflectors Two red reflectors (on rear outside corners) and two yellow reflectors (on the Two red reflectors (on rear outside corners) and two yellow reflectors (on the

front outside corners) of the machinefront outside corners) of the machine Conspicuity MaterialConspicuity Material

Red retro-reflective and red-orange fluorescent color visible to mark the rear. Red retro-reflective and red-orange fluorescent color visible to mark the rear. Yellow retro-reflective material to mark the front.Yellow retro-reflective material to mark the front.

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