Take Tractor Safety Seriously

We tend to take tractors for granted, easily forgetting that these farm necessities have the potential to be dangerous, especially when operated by an inexperienced driver. Many tractor-related accidents could have been prevented if the operator had been more aware of his surroundings and how the tractor itself was designed to perform.

Most injuries involve operating the tractor at too high a rate of speed, careless turns, a lack of attention to the terrain or bad judgment in tractor use. With a little foresight and focus, even an inexperienced operator can avoid making a tragic mistake.

Use special care when going up or downhill on a tractor, watching for ditches, loose/slippery terrain ordriving too close to the edge of an embankment, any of which could cause the tractor to flip over.

Learning to Drive
Most people will find it difficult to learn to drive a standard/manual transmission tractor on their own, especially if they don't have experience driving a standard-transmission car.

If your tractor is geared - meaning you have to use a clutch for every change of speed - we advise you to get some hands-on driving lessons. You'll need to understand how to engage the clutch and practice so that you get a feel for the clutch and learn to release it slowly instead of with a jerking motion. The jerking motion will usually kill the engine, leaving you right back at square one. You can't learn the feel of the clutch by reading about it on a page.

Fortunately, as with the auto industry, most new tractors can be purchased with a hydrostatic transmission, which is similar to an automatic transmission in cars. Although the tractor will still have a clutch, you'll only use it when you take off or make a drastic change in speed, such as from low to high, or go in reverse. Otherwise, once you're moving, you can use the foot pedal to increase your speed.

One of the most important things to realize about driving your tractor is that it's not your car. Many tractor-

related fatalities involve a driver error that caused the tractor to flip over or land on its side. Speed, of course, is an issue, as is your ability to judge turns and slopes. Rough terrain, unfamiliar ground and hills require you to reduce your speed. Tractors will bounce over bumpy pathways more than cars, and hitting an unseen hole can give you quite a jolt at any speed.

Use common sense when driving on a hill. If it looks too steep to make safely, it probably is. (Be sure you read the owner's manual thoroughly for tips on handling steep terrain.) Watch closely for ditches, loose/slippery terrain and driving too close to the edge of an embankment, as any of these situations could cause the tractor to flip over. This goes for whether you choose to navigate the hill on a sideways path or straight up and down.

When driving down a hill, brake to stop the tractor from going too fast. If you have to stop in the middle of a steep hill - going up or down- and on takeoff let out the clutch too quickly, you could flip the tractor over.

Safety
Just as when you drive your car, it's your responsibility to be fully aware of your surroundings, including what's behind you or what could dart out from behind a bush. Never back up your tractor without looking behind you or move forward without being sure you have a clear path.

Passengers must never be allowed to ride on a vehicle not designed to carry them. A small bump in the road could throw them from the tractor and they could land under a wheel.

Be sure you have the seat properly adjusted and that you can see a full 360° around you. You should be able to comfortably reach the steering wheel and all foot pedals.

The tractor's rollover protection structure (ROPS) should be up and in place. Some models have a foldable bar to allow you to drive through low overhead doors, but you must return it to its normal position once you leave that low area.

Always wear your seatbelt when you have an ROPS. Be sure all safety shields/guards are in place. If any are broken, be sure to replace them before using the equipment.

On roads, use hand signs to signal braking and turns if your tractor isn't equipped with turn signals and brake lights. Follow all driving laws and stop signs. If you need to use your tractor on the road, be sure you have a warning sign on the back that signals a slow-moving vehicle. Avoid driving a tractor at night, especially on roadways. Check that all lights are in working order before you use the tractor.

Unless you need the individual-wheel braking power afforded by the dual-pedal braking system, keep the locking device in place, especially on highways. If you don't use this lock and your foot slips off one of the pedals, you will only stop one tire, which could cause the tractor to flip - much like when you ride a bicycle at a high rate of speed and only hit the front-tire brake.