If you are looking to become a tractor operator, remember that safety always comes first! Thus, read the tips below by AED Marketing Inc. in Pasadena to take your tractor safety to the next level.
A tractor is much more than an asset for farm work; it is a powerful machine with an average of 15,628 lbs of weight, built to lift and pull bulky loads. For that reason, tractors are indispensable in several industry fields; for example, they play a crucial role in construction, livestock management, landscaping, even for providing aid during natural disasters. However, operating this heavy-duty type of machine comes with its fair share of risks.
When being careless behind a tractor's wheel, you expose yourself to hazardous situations such as overturns, collisions, and run-overs; for that reason, tractor safety takes a central role in running this type of machinery. Thus, if you are looking forward to becoming a tractor operator, this post by AED Marketing Inc. has put together five safety tips to handle a tractor carefully.
When going through your tractor maintenance checklist, make sure to provide your equipment a synthetic oil change in Pasadena. To place an order on high-quality products for your equipment, call the experts at AED Marketing Inc. at (281) 507-8721 or browse AMSOIL's online store.
Read Your Operator's Manual
The first step in improving tractor safety is learning as much as possible about your equipment; to do so, explore the contents inside your operator's manual. You'll be surprised to find the information you can't find anywhere else, such as the equipment's troubleshooting, warranty, and technical specifications; however, when concerning safety, make sure to get acquainted with the following contents:
Safety Labels and Procedures: Reading your tractor's safety labels lets you be completely aware of the machine's operational limitations, hazard warnings, and cautions. Plus, it's also beneficial to learn indications for the tractor's safest use; to that end, look through the contents about the safest procedures to operate the equipment.
Operating Controls: To take your driving abilities up a notch, read about the function and position of each of your tractor's operative controls; that way, you'll know how and when to use each function.
Service Intervals: It goes without saying your tractor will require regular maintenance and service to perform at its best for as much time as possible; therefore, it's important to keep up with the service intervals indicated in the owner's manual.
Get Tractor Safety Training
Regardless of the type of tractor you intend to operate, it's important to seek training to practice your driving in a supervised and safe manner. Getting guidance from a knowledgeable instructor will allow you to build confidence behind the tractor's wheel; plus, a training experience will build up your coordination, focus, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills to assess and avoid potential hazards.
Use Your Tractor's ROPS and Seat Belt
To ensure a safe tractor operation, you must acknowledge your equipment's safety features, mainly the roll-over protective structure (ROPS), which refers to the roll cage or bar that shields the operator compartment. To use the ROPS correctly, you must wear the equipment's seat belt also. If your tractor were to roll over, the ROPS would keep you protected while the seatbelt keeps you confined to the impact-free area within the operator's compartment.
Since running a tractor for work takes many hours in the sun and significant physical activity, choosing comfortable, and protective clothing is essential. To that end, here are the main garments you should wear to operate your tractor safely:
A moving engine has a lot of rotating parts that might be dangerous if your clothes get caught in them. For that reason, avoid wearing scarves, long flared pants, or any other type of loose clothing; instead, wear snug-fitting pants and long sleeves whenever you operate your tractor.
As mentioned above, driving a tractor implies working for hours under the sun; therefore, protect your skin from sunburns by wearing a cap or a hat.
Driving a tractor at uneven or loose ground terrains entails the risk of tumbling or slipping when getting on and off the machine; because of that, your ankles are vulnerable to sprains. To avoid any foot hazard, make sure to wear sturdy ankle boots with slip-resistant soles.
Leather Gloves come in handy to keep your hands warm during cold weather; plus, they strengthen your hand grip to enhance your operative controls handling.
Assess the Working Area
Whether it is a construction project, a road, or a farm terrain, you must inspect the area you'll be operating your tractor. Look for any obstruction or hazard, such as tree stumps, ditches, pipes, or any other obstacle for your tractor. You must clear the area by removing all the risks. If you find a deep-rooted or non-removable element, place a warning sign to be careful around that spot.