Guidelines for Securely Managing and Halting Tractors: A Guide for Instructors and Overseers
In the landscaping and horticulture industries, tractors are common vehicles that require careful operation to ensure safety. Here are some essential guidelines to follow when starting, operating, and stopping a tractor.
Before Starting: - Park the tractor on flat, stable ground, ensuring the area is clear of obstacles and people. - Fully understand the controls and manufacturer’s guidelines for the specific model. - Before mounting the tractor, ensure guards and shields are in place, use handrails, and adjust the seat for fit and easy access to controls.
Starting Procedure: - Engage the parking brake or ensure the tractor is in neutral. - Start the engine as per the manufacturer's instructions. - Check that all safety guards and equipment are in place, and confirm attachments (like PTO equipment) are properly connected and secure before use.
While Operating: - Be mindful of terrain, avoiding steep slopes or unstable ground to prevent tipping. - Keep bystanders at least 15 feet away from the working tractor to prevent injuries from flying debris or moving parts.
Stopping Procedure: - Slow down and bring the tractor to a complete stop on level ground. - Disengage PTO or any attachments. - Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission to neutral or park. - Turn off the engine following the manufacturer's recommended shutdown steps. - Remove the key to prevent unauthorized use and perform any necessary post-operation checks, such as blade or attachment inspection.
Other safety tips include: - Ventilating when operating tractors indoors to avoid asphyxiation. - Keeping trash away from the exhaust system to prevent a fire. - Keeping the operator station free of oil, grease, mud, and tools to prevent falls. - Maintaining control lights and gauges. - Keeping tires properly inflated. - When jump-starting an engine, avoid sparks around the battery and wear eye protection. - If jumper cables are needed, ensure polarity is correct, connect the positive cable first, and position the ground connection away from the battery to avoid sparks.
The training modules in the landscape and horticultural tailgate training series were developed with funding from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the training modules are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Labor. The author team for the training modules follows the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Remember, incidents can occur with tractors if safety is not carefully observed. Always apply brakes evenly and disengage the PTO before stopping the tractor.
[1] Training modules funded by Grant Number 46E3-HT09. [3] The author team includes Dee Jepsen, Michael Wonacott, Peter Ling, and Thomas Bean.
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