Tractor Users Safety Guide

Tractor Safety Guide: Tractor Maintenance Precautions

1. Reviewing tractor operator’s manual for specific maintenance schedules and requirements.

2. During the repair of any machinery, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn. (Helmets, goggles, gloves, hearing protection, and safety shoes.) Baggy clothing should be avoided, as it can more easily be caught in rotating machine areas.

3. Any worn or broken parts should be replaced immediately, or repaired according to manufacturer’s specifications. All machinery should be maintained regularly.
Make sure to replace any guards removed during equipment repair.

4. Periodically check tire pressure to avoid flats and blowouts.

5. Whenever preparing to work on a piece of equipment, wheels need to be blocked to prevent movement and any jacks used should be appropriate for the weight to be lifted, stable and in good condition.

6. Brakes, hitches, safety chains, springs, and shackles should be inspected regularly for wear, broken or missing parts, cracked welds and excessive debris

7. Hydraulic and air lines should be inspected for wear and cracks. Any indication of damage to these lines should be immediate grounds for replacement of the line.

8. When working on the hydraulic systems, caution should be taken. Ensure all pressure in the system is relieved properly and that the fluid is cool before loosening any fittings or removing lines.

9. Use appropriate PPE when performing maintenance on hydraulic systems.

Source:http://www.ehs.iastate.edu/