Tractors are crucial pieces of equipment for many industries; however, they can be dangerous when used unsafely. To avoid any hazard, read these tractor safety tips by Ken Reaser Enterprises in Apopka.

Whether used for plowing and disking at cultivation lands, pulling and pushing heavy loads at construction sites, or for clearing debris out after a natural disaster hits, tractors are the most versatile and valuable pieces of equipment nowadays. However, being a heavy and complex machine as it is, it must be handled carefully. If you consider owning a tractor, you need to acknowledge the risks of an unsafe operation; for instance, most fatal injuries involving tractors are caused by rollovers; however, there are also crashes, run-overs, among others other preventable hazards. All in all, you can ensure tractor safety by following the safety tips listed in this post by Ken Reaser Enterprises.

Make your tractor's maintenance a priority by choosing high-quality products for its hydraulic system, like AMSOIL's Synthetic Anti-Wear Hydraulic Oil - ISO 22. Call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the top-performing synthetic oil in Apopka.

Important Tractor Safety Tips You Should Know

Learn About Your Tractor

Reading your operator’s manual is key to becoming a safe tractor operator. This handbook contains all the information about your equipment, including its troubleshooting, tech specs, and warranty details; therefore, you should keep it handy. Now, as for safety, your operator’s manual should contain the following contents:

• Safety Information: Your operator’s manual includes detailed information about the equipment’s warnings and cautions; read them carefully to acknowledge your tractor’s limitations. Also, look through the safety instructions or procedures you must follow if you encounter a hazard.
• Controls: To become an efficient tractor operator, you must acknowledge the function and position of each pedal, knob, and lever; to that end, refer to your manual and read the contents regarding the operating controls.
• Service Intervals: Since neglecting your tractor’s care can result in an accident caused by engine failure, make sure to keep up with the servicing and maintenance requirements as pointed out by the operator’s manual.

Supervised Training is Crucial

When it comes to operating heavy-duty equipment, training is key. Once you read your tractor’s manual, get some supervised training so you can gain some experience doing some tasks that might be challenging for beginners, such as driving on a slope, turning, or doing an emergency stop. Practicing with an experienced instructor will allow you to gain some confidence and skillset; hence, look for training courses or certification programs in your area.

Aside from learning essential tractor safety tips, know how to keep your heavy equipment working as expected by calling the experts at Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958. To place an order on the most efficient synthetic oil in Apopka, visit AMSOIL's online store.

Improve Safety by Using ROPS

Since rollovers cause most tractor-related accidents, tractor manufacturers have been adding safety structures to their tractors for many decades; these are called ROPS (rollover protective structures). Therefore, most tractors are equipped with roll bars, cages, and other protective structures around the operator’s seat nowadays. Now, if you were to overturn, the ROPS would keep you safe by creating an impact-free space around you; however, to be effective, you must buckle your seatbelt up to stay in the safe zone.

Dress Safely

Operating heavy-duty equipment comes with the need to wear protective clothing; after all, running a tractor entails some significant risks to your body. To keep yourself safe, here are some items you should consider when getting dressed for work:

• Snug-fitting clothes: Several moving parts are exposed when you operate a tractor, such as the drive belts, pulleys, and rotating cutter heads. If you wear loose clothing such as scarves or flaring pants, chances are the clothes will get caught by the moving machinery. Avoid this risk by wearing snug-fitting pants and shirts whenever you operate heavy-duty machinery.
• Hat or cap: Since most tractor-related projects and tasks involve working long hours under the sun, the risks of getting sunburns are high; given that, make sure to protect your face from the sun by wearing a hat or a cap.
• Boots: If you were to fall or slip from your tractor, your ankles would be vulnerable to significant injuries. Considering that, wear a sturdy pair of slip-resistant boots with ankle support whenever you intend to operate your machine.
• Leather gloves: Wearing leather gloves is key to keeping your hands covered and warm during winter. Plus, wearing them helps enhance your grip on the controls.

Inspect the Area You’ll be Working Over

Last but not least, know the area you’ll be operating your tractor over. Doing this is instrumental in spotting ditches, stumps, large rocks, among other dangerous hazards. If possible, clear the area by removing obstructions. If you find immovable hazards, mark them with a warning sign so you or any other tractor operator can be extra cautious around.

Keep your tractor in tip-top shape by using high-quality products for its hydraulic system, like AMSOIL's Synthetic Anti-Wear Hydraulic Oil - ISO 22. Call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or explore AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the top-performing synthetic oil in Apopka.