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Tractor Operation & SafetySafe Starting and Shutdown Procedures
Many runover injuries trace back to a tractor started from the ground or left running in gear. The start and shutdown routine is short and worth doing exactly the same way each time.
Key points
- Start only from the seat, with the transmission in neutral or park and the PTO off.
- Never bypass start switches or other safety interlocks.
- Check gauges and listen for problems after start.
- At shutdown, lower attachments, set the brake, stop the engine and take the key.
What should you do before starting the engine?
Walk around and look for people, pets, tools and anything in the way. Check the oil, coolant and fluid levels as the manual describes, and look for leaks. Make sure shields are in place and the area around the tractor is clear.
Climb on using three points of contact. Adjust the seat, fasten the seat belt if the ROPS is up, and check that the parking brake is set, the PTO is off, the hydraulic controls are in neutral and the transmission is in park or neutral.
The few minutes spent here are the cheapest safety measure on the farm, and they are the ones people skip when running late.
Why must you start only from the operator's seat?
If the tractor is in gear when a starter engages, it can lurch forward and run over the person standing beside it. Starting from the ground, by reaching in or by jumper wires across the starter, has caused many deaths. Start from the seat with your foot on the clutch or brake, as the manual directs.
Never bypass the neutral start switch or other safety interlocks. If the tractor will not start with the controls in neutral, or starts in gear, something is wrong, and a dealer or qualified mechanic should fix it.
- Start only from the seat
- Never bypass start or seat switches
- Never jump the starter from the ground
How should you start a diesel tractor?
A diesel uses compression ignition, so there are no spark plugs. Many diesels use glow plugs or an intake heater to help in cold weather, and your manual describes the procedure for your model. Follow the sequence in the manual and do not crank for long periods, which overheats the starter.
Do not use starting fluid unless the manual says it is acceptable, since it can cause damage and fire on engines with intake heaters. Ask your dealer if you are unsure.
What should you check after the engine starts?
Watch the gauges and warning lights. Oil pressure should come up quickly, and the charging indicator should behave as the manual describes. Listen for unusual noises and look for smoke, leaks or fluid under the machine. If a warning light stays on, shut down and find out why.
Let the engine settle at low speed for a short time before working it hard. Check that the brakes, steering and hydraulics respond normally before you move.
Keep a record of any warning lights or odd sounds so you can describe them to the dealer. Specifics help a mechanic find the problem faster.
What is the right way to shut down?
Stop on level ground if you can. Lower the loader, implement and anything else to the ground, disengage the PTO, set the parking brake, put the transmission in park or neutral and let the engine idle briefly if the manual calls for it. Turn off the engine and take the key.
Wait for any rotating parts to stop. Make sure the machine will not roll before you step down. Use three points of contact on the way down and never jump.
Remove the key every time, even on your own place. Children and visitors may climb on a tractor that is left with the key in it.
How do you park on a slope or leave the tractor for a moment?
Avoid parking on a slope. If you have to, set the brake, put the transmission in gear or park as directed, lower the attachment and block the wheels. Never leave a tractor running unattended, even for a minute at the gate.
A rule that works on small farms: if your feet leave the platform, the engine is off and the key is in your pocket. It sounds fussy until the day it matters.
On a ranch with gates to open and close all day, build gate stops into the routine: the tractor stays shut off, in park, with the key out, or you use another way to handle the gate.
What problems should send you to a mechanic?
Call a qualified mechanic if the tractor starts in gear, if the safety switches seem to be bypassed, if the brakes or parking brake do not hold, or if the engine runs rough or smokes heavily. Do not work around these problems.
Ask your dealer service department about an inspection of all start-related safety systems before the busy season.
Sources and further reading
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