Tractor Safety

Farming is a dangerous profession, and there is one item that creates this risk: the tractor. I personally know several people who have been killed on their tractors. The most likely cause of death is the tractor rolling over and crushing the driver. There simply is not enough time to jump free. Do not consider this your avenue of escape. Tractors can tip to the side on an incline. They can also tip nose up and overturn. ROPS (roll over protection systems) and seat belts save lives. Do not operate a tractor without both of these safety systems.

The next dangerous area of a tractor is the PTO. This rotating shaft at the rear of the tractor that can lead to death or worse. I don't want to be graphic. Loose clothing can be caught in the PTO, and faster than it takes to tell about it, you can be wound around the shaft and loosing body parts left and right. Never wear loose clothing around a tractor, and never approach an engaged PTO. Note: the tractor will not stop or bog down even if you or body parts are being wound around the shaft.

The older the tractor, the fewer the safety systems will be available. Some older tractors do not disengage their PTO. This means that you can not turn off the PTO in some situations where you would like to, and if connected to an implement, it is always working. This makes these older tractors especially dangerous. Get a tractor that you can disengage the PTO.

Some tractors have one nose wheel, like a tricycle, called row crop tractors. This wheel configuration narrows the wheel base, making the tipping potential greater. I suggest you avoid this type of tractor.

I have experienced the nose of the tractor rising when pulling a large stump from the ground. Be prepared and don't overturn.


One person dies in a tractor accident nearly every day in the United States, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Don't be a statistic, think before you move, and anticipate danger.


Resources:

• Tractor safety is no accident (web)
• General tractor safety (web)
• Personal tractor stories (web)
• The Ten Commandments of tractor safety (pdf)

I considered these articles when we were looking for a good farm tractor:

• Small farm tractors: choose wisely (web)
• How to buy a very used tractor (web)

Our tractor wish list items:

1. Has or able to add ROPS and seat belt
2. Spread front wheels (not tricycle)
3. Has rear PTO, able to disengage.
4. 32 - 45 hp. You need power in this range to plow.

Our tractor selection:

1. Kubota 3800, 38 hp
2. 66" wide front end loader
3. 7.7' backhoe
4. box blade
5. single roll over plow
6. small disc unit
7. single tine chisel (considering)
8. rototiller (considering)
9. mower (later)
10. snow blower (later)