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Tractor Operation & SafetyParking a Tractor Safely
Most tractors get parked a dozen times a week without a thought. That is the problem. A tractor that rolls away or an implement that drops can hurt someone long after the job is done.
Key points
- Park on level, firm ground away from hazards.
- Lower implements, set the brake, shut down and remove the key.
- Use wheel chocks on any slope.
- Never ignore a parking brake that does not hold.
- Walk around at day's end and report problems.
Where should you park a tractor?
Choose level, firm ground away from ditches, ponds, slopes and traffic lanes. Avoid parking under power lines, low branches or near fuel storage. Keep clear of the paths children, animals or visitors use. If you must park on a slight slope, point the machine across it only if the manual advises, and use chocks.
Think about the next person who walks up. Leave the machine where it is visible, not around a blind corner. In the orchard or hayfield, avoid parking at the end of a row where others will turn.
- Level, firm ground
- Away from ditches and water
- Clear of power lines and fuel storage
- Visible, not behind a blind corner
What is the safe shutdown routine?
Make it a habit and do it every time. Bring the tractor to a full stop, lower all attachments to the ground, disengage the PTO, shift to park or neutral as the manual says, set the parking brake, shut off the engine and remove the key before leaving the seat.
Do not dismount while the tractor is moving or the engine is running. Wait for rotating parts, such as a PTO shaft or a mower blade, to stop completely. Some implements coast for a while after the PTO is off.
- Stop fully and lower attachments
- Disengage PTO and shift to park or neutral
- Set the brake and shut off the engine
- Remove the key and wait for parts to stop
Why must implements be lowered?
A raised loader, bale spear, backhoe or three-point implement can drop if a hydraulic seal leaks or a lever is bumped. Anyone walking under it or children climbing on it are in danger. Lowering to the ground takes pressure out of the picture.
If a raised implement needs service, support it with proper stands or blocks rated for the load, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never trust hydraulics alone when you or anyone else is going beneath it.
How do you prevent rollaways?
Set the parking brake every time, and use the transmission setting the manual describes. A parking brake can wear or fail, so use wheel chocks on any slope, even a slight one, and whenever you leave the tractor to work nearby. If the brake does not hold on level ground, stop using the machine and get it fixed.
A tractor can also be bumped into motion by a child or by someone who does not know the controls. This is another reason to remove the key and keep machines out of play areas.
- Parking brake every time
- Chocks on slopes
- Never ignore a weak brake
- Key out, machine out of play areas
What about parking in cold, wet or muddy conditions?
In winter, a brake can freeze to the drum or pad overnight, and in mud a tractor can sink and become hard to recover. Park on gravel, concrete or a firm pad when you can. Check your manual for cold-weather brake advice.
On soft ground, park in the same spot only if it stays firm. Frost heave and thaw can shift a machine. Keep an eye on the tires and be ready to move early if ground conditions change.
- Park on gravel or a firm pad
- Check cold-weather brake advice in the manual
- Watch for sinking after rain or thaw
How do you keep parked tractors secure?
Remove keys and store them where children and strangers cannot get them. Lock cabs and fuel caps where it makes sense, and consider lighting the machine yard. Theft and unauthorized use are real problems in rural areas.
Ask your insurance agent whether your policy has requirements for storing equipment or keys. Write down serial numbers and keep them somewhere other than the machine.
What should you check at the end of the day?
Look at the tractor for leaks, damage and loose hardware, and fix problems early. Fill the fuel if the manual suggests, since an empty tank can collect condensation. Clean mud and debris off steps and grab handles so the next mount and dismount is safe.
Make a quick note of anything unusual. If something seems wrong with the brakes or hydraulics, tag the tractor as out of service until a qualified mechanic has looked at it.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.