NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 27, 2000
Tractor operators need to change their driving practices to adjust for winter conditions and ensure their safety, says an agricultural safety specialist at North Dakota State University.
"Throughout winter, both man and machine must endure tougher working conditions. Problems and hazards are amplified by ice, snow and cold temperatures," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service.
Reduced traction and frequent use of front-end loaders contribute to many winter tractor accidents, Maher notes. Human reaction times may be slowed by cold weather and equipment may not respond as expected in cold and icy conditions. Layered clothing, gloves, boots and other cold weather gear may limit visibility and mobility.
"Workers just aren't as alert and quick when it's cold. Plan work activities ahead of time, allow additional time to get work done and set realistic goals for daily work in the winter. It can be very difficult to stop a tractor quickly when feedlots and farmyards are icy," Maher notes.
Two-wheel-drive tractors have brakes on only the rear wheels, so their stopping ability can be severely reduced when there is a big round bale or other heavy load in the bucket of a front end loader. Only true four-wheel-drive tractors have four-wheel braking and their stopping ability may also be compromised by ice and snow.
Front-end loaders get frequent use in the winter for moving snow, livestock feed and other materials. "Remember that slippery conditions increase the hazard of maneuvering elevated loads," Maher says. "Always keep the load and speed low where traction is poor."
When moving big round bales, be sure to use a front end loaders equipped with grapple jaws so the load cannot shift. Without the advantage of grapple jaws, big round bales can easily roll down onto the tractor operator with disastrous results. Even a tractor cab does not provide adequate protection when the loader is not equipped with jaws, Maher notes.
Safe and proper ballasting is needed with the use of a front-end loader in any season, but especially so in winter. The safest options are calcium chloride solution in the tires and/or solid weights. Solid weights are most stable and therefore may be the best year-round choice, Maher says. Pure water should never be used for ballast in tractor tires because it will freeze and result in a tractor that is very dangerous and difficult to handle at any speed faster than walking.
"Moving loads over frozen, rutted areas such as those frequently found in feedyards increases the odds of an accident happening," Maher says. "It's important to take every safety precaution possible."
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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629
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