Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Cultivate soil for crops or gardens
In 1984, the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) instituted safety reg-
ulations for tractors manufactured in the United States. Since that time, U.S. tractors must
have a rigid, arched rollover bar called a rollover protection structure (ROPS); seat belts;
and a protective power takeoff (PTO) cover. Most Japanese tractors have safety features
comparable to U.S. tractors, but some other foreign-made tractors do not. And many used
small-farm tractors, because of their age, do not have safety gear. If you purchase an older
tractor or a foreign tractor, it is up to you to update your machinery and to maintain it
and operate it in a responsible manner. All major equipment manufacturers provide tractor
safety programs, including information about retrofitting older tractors with ROPS.
Safety features are put there for a reason. Keep all protective equipment in place and be
sure all guards, shields, and safety signs are installed properly. If you remove, modify, or
disengage safety features, you increase your risk of injury or death.
Don't alter or remove the ROPS. If a ROPS has been damaged, it should be replaced.
Use a seat belt with the ROPS. If your tractor overturns, the recommendation is to hold
the steering wheel firmly and don't leave the seat until the tractor has come to rest. A seat
belt will help ensure that if the tractor overturns, your body will be held in place and pro-
tected by the ROPS.
Never use a seat belt when operating a tractor not equipped with a ROPS. Not being re-
strained by a seat belt will make it possible for you to jump or be thrown clear if the tractor
overturns instead of being trapped beneath it.
The following are the most common tractor accidents: falling off a tractor when mount-
ing or dismounting or when hitting a bump while speeding; becoming entangled in the PTO
shaft while it is running; rolling over as a result of an unbalanced load, unlevel ground, or
a sharp turn; and flipping over backward due to improper hitching.
Safe tractoring rules
Know your tractor and its capacity.
Know your implements.
Keep manuals handy for easy reference.
Avoid running a tractor at high RPMs when it is cold.
Before starting your tractor, look for children, animals, and other bystanders in the
vicinity.
Do not carry passengers on the tractor or implements.
When you stop the tractor and plan to leave the driver's seat:
• Disengage the PTO.
• Lower implements and attachments to the ground.
