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Kansas State University Research and Extension
To
identify precautions and safety tips for the operation of tillage
equipment.
While
the skilled operator of tillage equipment avoids errors with
very little conscious thought, accident studies show that hurrying
and human error are responsible for or are involved in the vast
majority of equipment accidents. An operator must have an understanding
of the function, operation and limitations of the equipment
he/she is operating and the operator must resist the temptation
to be hurried into an accident.
- Moldboard
Plows
- Provide
adequate front-end weight for tractor stability in transport
and operation, particularly with integral and semi-integral
plows. Never pull from any point higher on the tractor
than the recommended hitch point.
- Use
extreme caution and reduce speed when transporting the
plow and the tractor over rough ground.
- Avoid
sharp turns at high speeds, especially on slopes.
- On
tight turns, avoid swinging rear of plow into fences
or other obstacles.
- Turning
stops on semi-integral plows limit turning radius. Shorter
turns may severely damage plow frame and tractor hitch.
- Never
carry passengers on the tractor or permit others to
ride on the plow -- particularly plows with automatic
reset.
- Always
lower the plow when not in use or left unattended.
- Lower
the plow and securely pin the parking stand before detaching
the plow from the tractor.
- Always
use proper lighting, reflectors, SMV emblem, and other
safety devices for road travel as required by state
and local laws.
- When
hitching drawn plows, always use a hitch pin with adequate
strength for the tractor-plow combination.
- Disk
Plows
- Integral
plows are transported completely raised, and all weight
is carried by the tractor 3-point hitch. Adequate tractor
front-end weights are required to offset the plow weight.
- When
the transporting on a road or highway, always display
SMV emblem and use lights and reflectors as required
by state and local regulations.
- Semi-integral
plows are quite long and caution must be used when turning
to prevent swinging the plow into fences or irrigation
ditches.
- Reduce
speed when transporting over rough ground, and avoid
quick, sharp turns at high speeds.
- When
transporting semi-integral or drawn plows, always install
cylinder locks to prevent accidental lowering of the
plow. Relieve the load on hydraulic cylinders before
starting to transport.
- Lower
the plow to the ground or install hydraulic cylinder
locks when the plow is not in use.
- Watch
for other people when raising, lowering, or indexing
the plow.
- Never
permit anyone to ride on the plow, and allow only the
driver on the tractor. Do not permit children to play
on or near the plow either when parked or in operation.
- Lower
the parking stand and securely pin it in place before
detaching integral or semi-integral plows from the tractor.
- Disk
Tillers or Oneways
- Keep
SMV emblem clean and prominently displayed. Do the same
with reflectors and warning lights as required by state
and local regulations.
- Never
allow anyone but the operator to ride on the tractor.
- Never
ride or permit others to ride on the tiller.
- Lower
the tiller to the ground when not in use.
- Secure
the machine in the raised position by installing safety
locks or hold-up pins when servicing or cleaning it.
- Disk
blades are extremely sharp; be very careful when working
or making adjustments in the disk area.
- Never
walk close beside the rear wheel when the tiller is
in operation. A sudden imbalance of forces could cause
this wheel suddenly to jump to the left.
- Never
grease, oil, or adjust the tiller while it is in operation.
- Escaping
hydraulic oil under pressure can cause serious personal
injury and infection. Therefore, be sure all connections
are tight and that oil lines are undamaged. Always relieve
hydraulic pressure in lines before disconnecting hoses.
See a doctor immediately if escaping hydraulic oil has
penetrated the skin.
- Chisel
Plow
- Reduce
speed when transporting chisel plows over rough or uneven
terrain.
- Use
lock-up straps or transport locks when transporting
a chisel plow.
- Be
sure wings are locked in the folded position before
traveling.
- Use
proper lights, reflectors, and a clean SMV emblem when
transporting equipment on road or highway.
- The
transport width of most folding-section plows exceeds
maximum width of normal vehicles. Therefore, use extreme
caution when meeting other traffic, to avoid collisions
and the possibility of transport wheels dropping into
holes, drains, or ditches along the road edge.
- Allow
only the operator to ride on the tractor.
- Never
allow passengers to ride on the chisel plow.
- Never
allow anyone to stand or work near the chisel plow when
it is in operation, particularly when raising or lowering
outriggers.
- Do
not permit children to play on or near the chisel plow
during operation or storage.
- Provide
adequate tractor front-end ballast for stability in
transport and operation, especially with integral models.
- Be
particularly careful of escaping hydraulic fluid which
can penetrate the skin and cause serious infection or
reaction if not given immediate medical treatment.
- Do
not unhitch from the tractor or store a chisel plow
when outriggers are in the raised position.
- Make
sure raised outriggers will safely pass under power
and telephone lines.
- Disk
Harrows and Offset Disks
- Always
lock safety lock during transport, if the disk is to
be left raised for an extended period, or while working
on the machine.
- Never
depend on tractor hydraulic pressure to carry harrow
weight in transport--use safety lock, and relieve pressure
in cylinders.
- Lower
integral harrows to ground each time tractor engine
is shut off, and any time harrow is being serviced or
repaired. If it must be raised for repairs, securely
block the frame to prevent accidental lowering.
- Always
use lights, reflectors, and SMV emblem when transporting,
day or night.
- Lock
the tractor drawbar in fixed position when transporting
wheeled disks.
- Never
transport a disk harrow on its own wheels at more than
normal tractor speed, and considerably less than that
on rough or uneven ground.
- Never
clean, adjust, or lubricate the harrow while it is in
motion.
- Wear
protective gloves when working with or near disk blades.
- Hydraulic
fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate the skin
and cause serious infection or reactions. Never use
hands to locate the source of a small leak which may
be nearly invisible. Obtain immediate medical attention
if injured by escaping hydraulic fluid.
- Park
or block the harrow so it cannot roll when unhitched.
- Make
sure wings are securely locked in transport position
before moving the harrow.
- Large
disk harrows exceed normal vehicle width, so be particularly
careful to avoid collisions when meeting other vehicles
on the road. Avoid dropping wheels of tractor or harrow
into holes, drains, or ditches along the road.
- Provide
adequate tractor ballast for front-end stability and
to prevent excessive slippage.
- Never
allow anyone to ride on tractor drawbar or harrow in
operation or transport.
- Never
allow anyone but the operator to ride on the tractor.
- Lower
the machine or install safety lock when storing a disk
harrow.
- Never
permit children to play on or near a disk harrow while
it is in operation, transport, or storage.
- Stand
clear of harrow wings during folding or unfolding.
- Remove
spring-loaded scrapers in proper order to avoid personal
injury. Use care in relieving any spring under tension
or compression.
- Do
not make sharp turns with blades down.
- Field
Cultivators
- Never
exceed recommended transport speed for the cultivator
used; if speed is not stated, do not exceed maximum
tractor speed.
- Reduce
speed for turning and travel over rough or uneven ground.
- Use
transport locks and relieve pressure in cylinders when
transporting field cultivators. Do not depend on hydraulic
pressure to carry the weight. Always lock wings in transport
position and relieve pressure in cylinders.
- Never
walk or work under wings when they are in the folded
position.
- Follow
state and local regulations regarding lights, reflectors,
SMV emblem, and maximum width when transporting on roads
or highways.
- Transport
width of most field cultivators exceeds normal vehicle
width. Therefore, use extreme caution when meeting other
vehicles and avoid the possibility of dropping tractor
or- implement wheels into holes, drains, or ditches
along the road edge.
- Never
permit anyone to ride on the tractor drawbar or cultivator
in transport or operation, or to stand near the machine
while it is operating--particularly when raising or
lowering wings.
- Toothed
Harrows
- Provide
sufficient front-end weight for safe,stable operation
and transport.
- Use
widest practical wheel tread to improve tractor stability,
especially when working on steep slopes.
- Reduce
implement to narrowest possible width for transport
on roads or highways.
- Lock
wings or folded sections securely in place before transporting
equipment.
- Use
lights, reflectors, and SMV emblem as required by law
when transporting equipment--day or night.
- Schedule
moves for least hazardous periods; avoid transporting
equipment on busy roads, during peak traffic periods,
or after dark.
- Never
transport wheeled harrows, harrow carts, or field conditioners
at more than tractor transport speeds; transport considerably
slower on rough or uneven terrain.
- Never
make sharp turns at high speeds.
- Never
allow anyone to ride on the tractor but the operator.
- Never
allow anyone to ride on the tractor drawbar or implement
in operation or transport.
- Always
stop implement and tractor engine to adjust, repair,
or lubricate.
- Lower
implements to the ground before stopping tractor engine,
before servicing or repairing equipment, or at any time
the machines are left unattended.
- Never
make extremely short turns with drag-type eveners which
could foul tractor tires.
- Never
park implements where they could be hidden by tall or
growing crops, grass, or weeds.
- Keep
PTO shaft properly shielded. Never get off tractor without
disengaging PTO and stopping engine.
- Packers
- Always
use reflectors, lights, and SMV emblem as required when
transporting equipment--day or night.
- Provide
adequate front-end weight for tractor stability in operation
and transport of integral harrows. Use maximum allowable
front ballast if operating integral harrows in lower
gears.
- Never
exceed normal tractor speed when transporting drawn
roller harrows, and drive considerably slower than that
on rough or uneven ground.
- Do
not transport roller packers over hard-surfaced roads--use
carriers.
- Never
permit anyone but the driver to ride on the tractor.
- Never
permit anyone to ride on the tractor drawbar or implement
during operation or transport.
- Install
transport lock pin before storing, transporting, or
parking drawn implement; do not depend on hydraulic
pressure to support the weight. Lower machines to the
ground whenever the tractor engine is shut off.
- Pin
tractor drawbar in center before transporting.
- Never
lubricate, adjust, or repair the implement while it
is in motion or the tractor engine is running.
- Always
raise spring teeth before lowering roller harrow to
the ground for parking or storage.
- Park
or block the implement to prevent rolling when it is
disconnected from the tractor.
- Never
try to lift or support the roller harrow on the spring
teeth for service or repairs.
- Undercutters
- Use
the SMV emblem, lights, and reflectors as required by
law for transporting equipment on roads or highways.
- Install
the transport safety lock and relieve hydraulic pressure
in the cylinders when transporting.
- Be
certain wings are securely locked in the folded position
before transporting.
- Limit
transport speed as recommended--15 miles an hour (24
Km/h) for some machines, even less on rough or uneven
terrain.
- Never
ride or allow others to ride on the machine during operation
or transport. Allow only the driver on the tractor.
- Do
not unhitch from the tractor or store the machine with
wings in the folded transport position.
- Sweeps
are sharp--watch out for them when wings are folded
for transport or when servicing, adjusting, or repairing
the plow. Always position wrenches to pull away from
sharp edges or corners.
- Never
stand with feet under blades while making adjustments
or during maintenance. Be extremely careful while working
within the implement frame.
- Do
not stand or walk on the plow frame, or under wings
when they are folded for transport.
- Stand
with both feet on the same side of the tongue when hitching
or unhitching.
- Do
not allow children to play on or near the plow.
- Rod
Weeders
- Allow
only the operator to ride on the tractor during operation
and transport.
- Never
permit anyone to ride on the rod weeder.
- Never
exceed recommended transport speed or, if not stated,
maximum tractor speed. Reduce speed on rough or uneven
terrain or when turning.
- Use
lights, reflectors, and SMV emblem as required by state
and local regulations when transporting equipment, day
or night.
- Avoid
busy highways and peak traffic periods if possible.
Move equipment only in daytime.
- Never
attempt to repair, adjust, or lubricate the rod weeder
while it is in motion.
- Shut
off the engine and relieve the hydraulic pressure in
hoses before disconnecting them.
- Never
exceed recommended transport speed, or tractor road
speed if maximum is not stated. Reduce speed when turning
or crossing rough areas and slopes.
- Always
lower parking stands on integral equipment before detaching
from tractor.
- Always
lower equipment or install transport lock before servicing,
lubricating or repairing equipment, and when the machine
will be left unattended.
Source:
Fundamentals of Operation - Tillage, Deere & Co.
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NASD Review: 04/2002
Kansas State
University Cooperative Extension Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
The
KSU Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, research-based
information and educational programs to address critical issues
facing individuals, families, farms, businesses and communities.
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