• What should you do when operating a tractor?
• What are some safe driving tips?
• What should you avoid doing?

What should you do when operating a tractor?

• Wear close-fitting clothes that are not frayed. Tuck in shirts, and tie back long hair.
• Use footwear with slip-resistant soles.
• Wear a seat belt when the tractor is equipped with ROPS (roll-over protection structure).
• Check to see that no one is near the tractor before starting the engine.
• Operate controls from the tractor seat only.
• Use hearing protection unless you are enclosed in a soundproof cab.

• Hitch loads to the draw bar only. Set the draw bar on a three-point hitch and no higher than the fixed draw bar. Use a draw bar pin which locks into place and is the right size for the job.
• Use counterweights (front end or wheel weights) to help keep the tractor stable when necessary.

• Engage the clutch slowly at all times.
• Disengage the power take-off (PTO) and turn off the engine before unclogging, adjusting or servicing equipment.
• Maintain safe operating speed according to surface conditions

What are some safe driving tips?

Watch out for for:

• stumps, logs, rocks,
• holes, ruts, cave-ins, excavations,
• ditches, embankments, ravines,
• people, machinery, debris, buildings, and
• overhead powerlines.

Slow down when:

• turning,
• driving near ditches, ravines, buildings, trees, posts, fences, people, or animals
• working on slopes,
• pulling heavy, high, swaying, or unstable loads,
• driving on rough, soft or slick ground, or when
• plants or darkness restricts visibility.

Engage the parking brake and put into park or neutral. Remove the ignition key before leaving tractor.

What should you avoid doing?

• Do not permit another person to ride on a tractor except during training.

• Do not overload a tractor.
• Do not start the engine while standing beside the tractor.
• Do not drive so quickly that the tractor wheels bounce.

• Do not move loads that are poorly stacked.
• Do not drive a tractor with greasy or slippery steering wheel.
• Do not idle a tractor inside a building.
• Do not drive a tractor up to anyone standing in front of a fixed object, such as a building, wagon or implement.

Want more information?

Document last updated on February 25, 2002

Copyright ©1997-2012 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety