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