Tips to Safely Operate a Tractor
While using your tractor, adopt the correct operation practices to boost your productivity as well as safety. These practices can also help you add life to your machine and improve the quality of your work at the farm. Are you ready to learn some of these essential safety practices that you must follow while using your tractor? Read this guide from the experts at West Hills Tractor in Jonesborough, Tennessee. When you are ready to upgrade your tractor, visit our dealership to look at our collection. We are happy to serve all those in Johnson City and Greeneville, so stop by today.
Regular Maintenance
Regularly inspect your tractor to ensure that it’s ready for heavy-duty farm work. You’ll want to perform a visual inspection of all the essential parts, including hoses and connections, the fuel filter, engine, and even the tires.
Tighten all loose connections and check to see if there is any leaking fluid. You’ll also want to clean up or replace any clogged filters to enhance your machine’s performance and fuel efficiency. By regularly inspecting the cooling system and the tires, you can optimize their performance and avert potential risks.
Gear Up, Throttle Down
Use this fuel-saving strategy and help your machine achieve the best work-to-fuel ratio when operated at its near-maximum load. Most tractors don’t need to utilize their full horsepower anyways. So, shift to a higher gear and slower RPM. But don't be surprised to see that this has reduced the tractor’s PTO speed and hydraulic reaction time.
Weight Distribution
Refer to the owner’s manual to find the maximum working weight for your tractor and remember not to exceed it. If you go over the permitted limit, it will stress the machine’s drivetrain and reduce its performance. Additionally, it will lower the rollover protection system’s guard and put you at risk in case a rollover occurs.
Safety Best Practices
A tractor is a workhorse meant for heavy-duty tasks. Don’t let it be a cause for injury to you or others. The only way to avoid this is to always remain alert and cautious while you're using it. Wear your seat belt and make sure that you have sufficient experience to handle this complex machine.
Never bring extra riders onto your tractor. If you must bring one, consult your tractor’s owner’s manual to see if the model can handle the extra weight. Also, avoid bringing in children as it can be risky.
Another tip is to ensure that you’re wearing the appropriate safety gear – well-fitting clothes and sturdy, durable footwear. Don’t forget to bring along your earplugs or earmuffs for hearing protection.
We hope these tips will help you operate your tractor safely. If you need more safety tips, head to West Hills Tractor and connect with our experts. We can also show you our latest collection of tractors and help you upgrade to one that best matches your requirements and budget. We are in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and happy to welcome our customers from Johnson City and Greeneville.