Lance
Fluegel and Bradley
Rein
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Read
or review the operator's manual to familiarize yourself
with the machine.
- Learn
the location and use of controls, gauges, and dials for
the tractor.
- Familiarize
yourself with speeds, slope capabilities, braking and steering
characteristics, and tractor-mower clearances.
- Be
sure the tractor is equipped with a roll-over protective
structure (ROPS) and a seat belt. If not, have it retrofitted
for one.
- Check
that the power take off, mower input driveline, drive belts,
chains, and gears are all properly guarded. Repair or replace
if necessary.
- Check
the discharge chute to see that it is present and pointed
downward.
- Fill
the fuel tank out of doors with the engine stopped and cool.
Do not smoke while filling.
- If
you will be driving on public roads be sure the slow moving
vehicle (SMV) emblem is in place. Check that the warning
lights are present and operating.
- Check
overhead clearance of electrical wires and other obstructions,
especially if you are using a wing-type, boom-type, or flail
mower.
- Inspect
the work area for debris, ditches, potholes, stumps, irrigation
valves, etc. Clear removable items and mark the others.
- Be
sure your hands and shoes are clean and dry before mounting
the tractor to prevent slipping. Use the steps and handbars.
- Do
not allow any riders -- especially children.
- Adjust
the seat, fasten the seat belt, set the parking brake, place
shift lever in neutral or park, and disengage the pto before
cranking the engine.
- Raise
the mower high and use low rpm before engaging power to
the unit.
- Use
a ground speed based on length and density of material being
cut -- normally between 2-5 mph.
- Mow
very tall grass twice at 90-degree angles if possible.
- Mow
up and down slopes with rear-mount, pull-type, and wing-type
mowers.
- Mow
across slopes with side-mount, offset, and sicklebar mowers.
- Look
behind you before backing.
- When
finished or stopping, disengage the pto, place shift in
neutral or park, set parking brake, turn engine off, and
wait for all movement to stop before dismounting.
- Remove
the key if leaving the tractor for any length of time.
- Always
block the mower if working under it for any reason.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document
is
8831-K
,
a series of the the Cooperative Extension, the University
of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719. Publication date: May 1989.
Lance
Fluegel, Safety Coordinator, and Bradley Rein, Engineering
Specialist, the College of Agriculture, University of Arizona,
Tucson AZ 85719.
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