Safety Tips for Tractor Operations
Tractors are in many ways the backbone of modern mechanized agriculture. They are powerful, versatile, and easy to find. Given how many farmers depend upon tractors for their work, it only makes sense to encourage proper tractor safety. That is why M2 Outdoors has created this guide to safe tractor operation.
Know Your Model
The information in this article is generalized, meaning that it will apply to almost all tractors. models. However, your particular model may have unique characteristics that we can’t account for here. Therefore, it is very important that you read your owner’s manual and pay attention to any warnings contained within, in addition to following the advice given in this article.
Dress Right
Tractor operators should avoid loose-fitting clothing, as loose articles can become caught in the tractor’s moving parts. Solid work boots, work gloves, and safety glasses are also a must.
Starting Safely
Remember that if your tractor’s manual transmission is in gear when you start the engine, it will start to move regardless of whether there is someone inside to steer it. Never start your tractor if you are not in the cab. Be careful when mounting and dismounting your tractor, and only take as many passengers as you have seatbelts.
Avoid Rearward Rollovers
A rearward rollover occurs when your tractor’s rear wheels don’t rotate enough to move the vehicle forward and the vehicle instead tips backward. A sideways rollover is very similar, with the tractor tipping on its side rather than its back. There are several ways that you can reduce your chances of experiencing a rollover, including not working on slopes, taking hills backwards, properly stabilizing your tractor, using tire chains or boards to improve traction, and accelerating smoothly at all times. If you are worried about keeping the operator safe in case of a rollover, you can also install a rollover protection structure (ROPS).
Roadway Rules
Tractors are slower than commuter vehicles, which means that you should minimize your time spent on the road and avoid traffic whenever possible. If you do have to operate your tractor on the road, make sure that your tractor has a slow-moving vehicle emblem, turn signals, reflective tape, and lights. Be sure to broadcast your intentions with the appropriate signals, and pull over for other motorists when possible.
General Safety Tips
Tractors should undergo a safety inspection before each use. The operator should make sure that they are in an open/well-ventilated space and that no humans or animals are in the way before they start the vehicle. Finally, never leave a tractor running unattended, be aware of any potential hazards, and keep your cab clean.
To view our selection of tractors, visit M2 Outdoors online or at our dealerships in Dexter and Kennett, Missouri. We are proud to serve communities like Bloomfield and Essex, Missouri, as well as the Missouri Bootheel region.