Safety and Farm Tractors

An estimated 255 tractor-related deaths occurred nationwide during 1997.
The National Safety Council offers some strategies for workers who operate tractors. These strategies are intended to help reduce the number of tractor-related deaths and injuries that occur each year.

• Operate only tractors equipped with an approved rollover protective structure and wear your seatbelt.
• Review the operator's manual before operating equipment.
• Service and perform necessary maintenance on tractor before operating.
• Set the wheel tread at the widest setting possible.
• Slow down when turning and crossing slopes and on rough, slick or muddy surfaces.
• If you must travel on steep slopes, go in reverse up the slope or forward down the slope. Do not travel across the slope.
• Avoid ditches, embankments, riverbanks and hoes. Stay away from edges.
• If you get stuck in a ditch, back out.
• Hitch all loads to the drawbar. Start pulling the load slowly and gradually increase speed.
• Use front-end weights to increase tractor stability when pulling a heavy load.
• If the tractor is equipped with a front-end loader, keep the bucket or load as low as possible.
• Lock brake pedals together when traveling on roads.
• Seek out training and other educational opportunities on safe tractor operation.
• The risk of carrying riders on tractors is not worth taking, especially the risk of carrying children.