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February 5, 2004 Click here to download an Audio clip to accompany this story. (482KB wav file) Click here to download an Audio clip to accompany this story. (646KB wav file) Click
here to download an Audio clip to accompany this story. (733KB
wav file) Tractor Safety Shouldn’t Slip in Winter With tractors doing chores and moving snow during the winter months, George Maher, North Dakota State University Extension Service safety specialist, reminds operators that the basics of tractor safety still apply and says they should change their driving practices to adjust for winter conditions. Man and machine must endure tougher working conditions during the winter months. Ice, cold and snow can make using a tractor more dangerous. When feedlots and farmyards are icy, it is even more difficult to stop a tractor. The stopping ability of a tractor is even more limited when hauling large round bales in the loader bucket. Two wheel drive tractors have brakes on only the rear wheels and tractors with front wheel assist have limited stopping ability. Only the true four-wheel drive tractors have four-wheel braking, Maher notes. “Considerably more caution is required when using front-end loaders in winter conditions,” Maher says. “The hazard of maneuvering elevated loads is greatly increased during icy conditions. Always keep the load and speed low when the loader bucket is in use.” Grapple forks should be used on front-end loaders when moving large round bales so the load can’t shift. Without grapple forks, big round bales can roll down onto the tractor operator with disastrous results, he says. Even a tractor cab does not always provide adequate protection when the loader is not equipped with jaws. The use of a front-end loader calls for safe and proper ballasting of the tractor in any season, especially in winter. The safest answer to ballasting is the use of a calcium chloride solution in the tire or solid weights. Solid weights are more stable and actually have the advantage in winter or summer. Pure water should never be used for ballast because it will freeze resulting in a tractor that is very difficult to handle. “Humans and machines require more time to respond and react in winter conditions,” Maher says. “Human reaction time is definitely affected by cold temperatures, icy conditions and poor visibility. Plan your work activities carefully, allow additional time to get the work done and set realistic goals for daily work.” ### Source: George
Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
