Driving a tractor can be risky; however, you can avoid the dangers of operating this type of machine by following the tractor safety tips listed below by Ed Welliver in Mission.
Tractors are one of the handiest machines. They feature multiple functions under construction, landscaping, roadside assistance, emergency aid during natural disasters, and farming. Nonetheless, tractors are also heavy, complex machines that can be dangerous if they roll over to the side, crash, or overturn.
Considering the risks of getting behind a tractor's wheel, operators must be cautious and learn about tractor safety driving. To that end, this post by Ed Welliver shares some valuable pointers on how to operate a tractor safely. If you are a new tractor owner or are looking forward to becoming one, make sure to read the tips below.
Learn Everything You Can About Your Tractor Safety
The more you know about your tractor, the safest you'll be operating it. To that end, reading your owner's manual is an excellent place to start. Within its pages, you'll find your tractor's warranty information, troubleshooting, and tech specs; however, here are the most important contents you should read and familiarize yourself with:
Safety: The safety labels shown in your operator's manual are key to understand your tractor's operational limitations, warnings, cautions, and potential hazards. Also, make sure to read the safety instructions on how to operate your tractor properly.
Operating Controls: Learning the function, position, and use of each control within the tractor's operator compartment structure plays a crucial role in driving safely and adequately.
Service Intervals: A well-maintained tractor will always be safer; considering that, it is crucial to understand and keep up with your machine's maintenance and service requirements.
Complete a Tractor Operation Training
There is more than meets the eye when handling a tractor safely; to operate yours like a pro, you must acquire enough practice to develop spatial awareness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to smoothly manage unexpected situations. To that end, completing a tractor operation training course or program is an excellent option to improve your safety when driving your tractor.
Wear Personal Protective Gear
Working on a tractor has its fair share of challenges; for example, you might get your neck or arms sunburn for driving under the sun for extended hours; also, you might slip and hurt your ankles. So, to avoid any minor or major injury, make sure to wear the proper attire to operate your tractor safely; to that end, make sure to wear the following items:
As mentioned above, you can protect yourself from sunburns by donning long sleeves, pants, and a hat. Plus, since loose clothing can get caught on the tractor's moving parts, wear a snug-fitting outfit instead.
Getting on and off your tractor can be more comfortable when donning a pair of sturdy boots with non-slip soles; plus, wearing them minimizes the risk of getting an ankle injury if you were to slip or fall.
Wearing fitting leather gloves not only protects your hands from the sun but also provides a comfortable grip on the operative controls.
Tractor safety relies on proper maintenance; to that end, make sure to give your machine a synthetic oil change in Mission at the recommended interval. For more information about the best protection for your tractor's engine, call Ed Welliver at (956) 458-9399. Also, visit AMSOIL's online store to find the full line of products.
Inspect the Terrain
Picture this: You are operating your 6,239 lbs tractor over unexplored terrain; suddenly, the machine loses its balance and gets stuck in a ditch. Needless to say, you want to avoid this hypothetical hazard at all costs; to that end, make sure to assess the terrain you intend to work at regularly. When inspecting the area, search for hidden hazards, such as ditches, stumps, large rocks, or even small animals. If you find any rooted obstacle, make sure to place a warning sign to be wary of that spot.
Use ROPS on Your Tractor
Lastly, it's important to mention that most tractor-related fatal injuries are caused by overturns; therefore, most manufacturers include ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) in their tractors to improve the operator's safety. Thus, make sure to use ROPS in addition to wearing your tractor's seat belt to minimize the chances of getting hurt if you lose control of your tractor. On the whole, all safety devices within your tractor's operator compartment intend to keep you safe; for that reason, using them is vital.