About one half of all agricultural injuries and fatalities are the result of tractor accidents. As we read in this month's Meet Our Customers with Ron Broglio, tractor accidents can happen to anyone--experienced or novice.
At Cahaba Tractor, your safety is a number one priority to us. Below, we have listed the Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety found on the
Kubota website and added a few extras of our own. Please review them carefully. In addition, be sure to read your manual for important information regarding your tractor or RTV. As always, if you ever have any questions about operating your equipment, please don't hesitate to ask.
1. Know your tractor, its implements, and how they work. Please read and understand the Operator's Manual(s) before operating the equipment. Also, keep your equipment in good condition.
2. Use *ROPS (Roll Over Protection Structure) and seat belt whenever and wherever applicable. If your tractor has a foldable ROPS, fold it down only when absolutely necessary and fold it up and lock it again as soon as possible. Do not wear the seat belt when the ROPS is folded. *Most tractor fatalities are caused by tractor overturns.
Kubota Tractor Corporation strongly recommends the use of ROPS and seat belts in almost all applications.
3. Be familiar with your terrain and work area. Walk the area first to identify any debris or obstacles that could hinder your ability to drive safely. Use special caution on slopes, slow down for all turns and stay off the highway whenever possible.
Be watchful for field hazards, such as ditches, embankments and holes. Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on rough, slick or muddy surfaces. When going uphill, backing up on very steep slopes may help prevent back-flipping. Use extreme caution when going down steep slopes to keep tires from losing traction.
4. Never start an engine in a closed shed or garage. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and deadly.
5. Always keep your PTO (Power Take Off) properly shielded. Make it a habit to walk around your tractor and PTO driven implement, never walk over, through or between the tractor and implement, particularly if either is running. The PTO runs with enough strength and speed to kill you.
6. Keep your hitches low and always on the drawbar. Otherwise, your tractor might flip over backwards.
7. Never get off a moving tractor or leave it with its engine running. Shut it down before leaving the seat. A runaway tractor can be extremely dangerous.
When the tractor is stopped, set brakes securely and secure park lock if available. If possible, park on the level or across the slope to keep the tractor from rolling downhill. Never, ever, try to personally stop a rolling tractor. Remember, it is a heavy piece of machinery that far outweighs you.
8. Never refuel while the engine is running or hot. Additionally, do not add coolant to the radiator while the engine is hot; hot coolant can erupt and scald.
9. Keep all children off and away from your tractor and its implements at all times. Children are generally attracted to tractors and the work they do. However, a tractor's work is not child's play. Remember, a child's disappointment is fleeting, while your memory of his or her injury or death resulting from riding the tractor with you, or being too close, will last a lifetime.
10. Never be in a hurry or take chances about anything you do with your tractor. Think safety first, then take your time and do it right.
