NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
April 1, 1999
Make Safety Part of Decision to Purchase Used Tractors
With some farmers going out of business and others striving to
do more with less, the market for used tractors is heating up.
Unfortunately, buying a used tractor may mean bringing someone
else's safety hazards onto your farm, warns a North Dakota State
University agricultural safety specialist.
"The used tractor market can provide good opportunities
to purchase horsepower at a lower price," says George Maher
of the NDSU Extension Service. "But used tractors often lack
the latest safety features that are available on new
tractors."
Safety equipment is available and can be added to most older
tractors, Maher notes. But it's often more expensive than
original equipment, and adding that equipment is often delayed
and forgotten.
"For those reasons, safety equipment should be a major
consideration when you look at purchasing a tractor," Maher
says. "Overlooking safety could be costly and deadly."
In general, tractors should provide shields and guards that
protect the operator from normal operation and moving parts. The
tractor should be stable to minimize the risk of roll-overs.
Visibility from the operator's station should be good. And the
tractor should be comfortable for the operator.
Maher advises checking used tractors or older tractors on your
own farm for the following key safety points:
- A roll-over protective structure (ROPS). "ROPS are
readily available for most tractors and provide
protection equal to that found on newer tractors,"
Maher says. "Check with your farm equipment dealer
or extension agricultural safety specialist for
availability. It's not a good idea to build your own
ROPS. Commercially made ROPS are designed and tested to
protect you. You can't know the limits of homemade
equipment."
- Bypass starting shield. The shield covers the starter
motor terminals to prevent operators from jumping current
between the starter terminals. Shields are available for
most tractors from machinery dealers. The shields do not
prevent safe booster starting.
- A master PTO shield. This shield is positioned over the
power-take-off stub shaft. Retrofit shields are available
to provide improved protection over original equipment
shields on many older tractors. The shield should cover
the top and sides of the stub shaft and should support
265 pounds.
- Adequate drawbar and hitching equipment in good repair.
Worn, broken or welded hitching equipment can break.
Also, proper hitching and attachment of equipment will
reduce the chance of a rear over turn.
- Good seating. Good seating provides a comfortable ride
and makes it easy to reach and operate all controls.
Comfort helps reduce accident-causing stress.
- Lighting systems. Lighting provides operator convenience
and necessary visibility during field and transport
operations. Turn signals, flashing hazard lights,
reflectors and tail lights make tractors visible to other
drivers and improve safety on the road. Older tractors
can be retrofitted with improved lighting systems.
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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629