I'm Bill Pauli, President of the California Farm
Bureau Federation. The Farm Bureau and the State Fund have
created a series of Tractor Safety video. The goal is to
eliminate tractor accidents. But, safety does not come as easily as
watching a video. We need you to create a safe working environment for
yourself, your co-workers and your family. And that means taking the
common sense messages in these safety programs and applying them to your
daily work.
Since the transition from horse-drawn implements right up to today, tractors
are the most valuable players of all of the tools used on
today's farm. No other piece of equipment has as many uses or works as
hard as the basic tractor.
But, tractors can be deadly. Nationally, over 418 of our neighbors and co-workers were
killed in tractor accidents in a recent year. And,
tractor accidents remain the number one cause of
farm related work deaths.
About 55% of all tractor accidents occurred when the
tractor rolled over and crushed the occupant or rider.
Another 26% of the victims are run over by either the tractor or an
implement being towed. By watching this program
you will learn what you need to know in order to avoid
becoming a tractor accident statistic.
Tractors are rugged machines that are built to last, and roll over protection is your
first line of defense in many types of accidents.
cages protect drivers in these violent crashes.
This extra protection often means the difference between 1ife and death
We have known for a while that roll-over protection systems on tractors save llves. But even the
best ROPs system will not help you if you forget to use your seat belt.
Because of the tractor's design the center of gravity is much higher than that of a car
or truck, making it less stable and prone to roll-overs
The way to start every session with tractor is to perform a pre-operation
Keep your tractor in good repair, including replacing safety decals if they can not be
read or understood.
Look at the tries: Check for cuts, punctures or excessive tread wear.
Check the ROPS for loose bolts or bad welds. Make sure all guards and safety shields are
in place. If not, replace them.
If you are using a Power Take-Off, or PTO device, be sure to check that the PTO shield
is in place and spins independently of the PTO shaft. Do this check manually before starting
up the engine.
Next check the fluid levels and look for leaks; including oil, water, fuel, steering system
and Hydraulic system.
To protect your skin, use a piece of cardboard when checking for hydraulic leaks. If you
note low fluid levels or see excess spots on the ground under fluid reservoir you may
have a problem that needs attention.
Look for loose connections and damaged parts. Test and check the running lights, headlights
and turn signals.
Test and check the running lights, headlights and turn signals.
Test the flashing warning lights -苟specially if you plan driving on the roads or highway.
__ Check that the Slow Moving Vehicle or SMV sign is in place and visible? Know where
A few points must be made before we begin working the farm. First of all, never use
drugs, whether legal or not, before operating a tractor. The same goes for alcohol. These
substances can effect a driver's alertness, coordination and judgement.
A tractor operator on prescription, or over-the-counter medications needs to get specific medical
advice about the effects of
In hot weather wear sun, skin and eye protection. Likewise, tractors can be noisy --so consider
wearing hearing protection if working alone. But when working with a harvesting or other
type of crew with others around you, do not wear hearing protection since you need to
be able to hear and communicate with your co-workers. Always use the hand and foot holds
when mounting and dismounting the machine. When climbing down --face the tractor --this
is the best way to avoid slips and falls that can put you out of commission.
Before starting the ignition make sure the brakes are set and the tractor is out of gear.
Bypass starting can easily lead to your being run over by your own machine, or by an attached
implement. Also, before you begin, make sure the tractor
is balanced with the correct amount of ballast -- especially if you will be towing a heavy
implement.
After starting, let the engine warm up a moment, and use the time to look around and locate
children, pets or others in the area. When it is safe, put the tractor in gear and briefly
test the brakes before moving on.
Make sure that people know where you are working and approximately when you are expected to
return.
On many farms, radios are used to keep in contact throughout the day.
Take the time to scout the area you wil1 be working for hazardous
conditions. Make a mental note of the location of holes, ditches, boulders
and other problems.
Never allow riders on your tractor -- even on short trips. Tractors are
designed as one-person machines, and there is no safe place for anyone else
to ride. Riders can easily fall off and be run over.
Likewise, don't let an untrained person or a child operate a tractor.
Sometimes it is considered a badge of honor to brag about how young you were
when you started driving tractors, but put bragging rights aside for safety.
The problem is often compounded when an older tractor is
relegated to the kinds of chores a young person is given. The potential
for a tragic incident is huge.
Make sure only mature and responsible persons are allowed at the controls of
these powerful and unwieldy machines.
Because of the kinds of work they perform, tractors are designed to have
a high center of gravity --
which makes them top heavy , compared to driving
a car or a truck. This, combined with there special steering and braking
systems, can make difficult to handle.
Like any other skill, "practice makes perfect". This goes for tractors as
well.
Always start slowly especially when you are getting a feel for the
machine.
Operate the tractor smoothly. Avoid rabbit starts and stops.
Drive slowly, and keeping, your head on a swivel -- always look for
the unexpected.