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BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES // SAFE USE OF TRACTORS ON FARMS2.24 TRAILERSTractors often pull wheeled trailers usinga drawbar with a clevis hitch or a fittedtow ball. Tractors can rear up and roll overbackwards if they are used with trailersconnected to a high hitch point.Accidents happen when steering onslopes or slippery surfaces with poor trailerbrakes because it pushes the tractor sideways,causing it to slide out of control.Excessive wear can also be placed onthe tractor’s brakes.MANAGING THE HAZARD:Always connect wheeled trailers to thedrawbar. This means the load is pulledunder the tractor’s centre of gravity.Check that the safety chain or cable issuitable for the job. Always use correctlysized and rated pins.Use the correct high-strength steel hitchingpin designed for the tractor and the task. Usethe appropriate diameter pin for the tractor ortrailer coupling’s diameter, whichever has thesmaller hole. The coupling pin’s diameter mustnot be smaller than 75 per cent of the largercoupling hole.Do not repair or weld coupling pins andtowing hooks. Replace pins and hooks thatare damaged, deformed, cracked or wornat any point to below 90 per cent of theiroriginal diameter, or the manufacturer’s weartolerance, whichever is less.Securely retain coupling pins by a lockingmechanism.Figure 4: Correct and incorrect hitching pinsDo not repair tow-eyes. Always replace themif they are worn beyond 10 per cent of theoriginal diameter or the manufacturer’s weartolerance, whichever is less.Fit a safety chain between a tractor and towedtrailers or implements, except those carried ona three-point linkage. The safety chain’s tensilestrength (its breaking load) must be equal toor greater than the total weight towed.The safety chain’s length must be adjustableso it is neither too tight nor too loose. Wherepractical, attach the chain to the tractor’schassis, not the hitch. The chain’s tensilestrength must be displayed on the chainusing a plate or similar method.Also:> > Use a large enough tractor and choose thebest gear to stop the combination within asafe distance.> > Buy trailers with a suitable braking systemto match your tractor. Ask the supplier forbrake efficiency information.> > When connecting implements or trailersin train, make sure the collective weightdoes not go over the manufacturer’srecommendations. Correctly hitch all trailers.18
SECTION 2.0 // HAZARDS AND CONTROLS2.25 TRACTOR FIRESFires can cause serious and fatal injuries.Three things must be present for a fire: air,material that can burn and an ignition or heatsource. Around three-quarters of all tractorfires start in the engine compartment. Somecommon causes are grease or oil build-up,hay or straw, or bird’s nests.If the tractor does catch fire, approach it withextreme caution. Even a small fire can flareup dramatically when doors, hatches or otherareas are opened to gain access. Fires are verydangerous when liquid fuels are involved.MANAGING THE HAZARD:Keep the tractor clean, remove ignitionsources and carry a fire extinguisher.Regularly remove caked-on grease, oil, cropresidue, dry chaff, leaves, bird nests andother material. Clear away wrapped plantmaterial on bearings, belts and other movingparts – and check them for wear. Make surethe exhaust system is in good condition andleak-free. Check exposed electrical wires fordamage or wear.A fully charged 2kg extinguisher is yourbest source of fire protection. If a fire breaksout, quickly shut off the engine, grab theextinguisher and get out. Try to use theextinguisher’s flexible hose to shoot thechemical at the flames’ base from a safedistance. Blanket the flames to starve thefire of oxygen and prevent the fire restarting.2.26 OVERHEAD POWER LINESIf any part of a tractor, front-end loader,mounted implement or trailer touchesoverhead power lines, it can be lethal.If an operator touches the tractor and theground at the same time, they could beseriously hurt or killed when electricityflows through them.MANAGING THE HAZARD:Avoid working near overhead power linesif possible.> > Know the minimum line heights andthe maximum height/reach of <strong>tractors</strong>and machines passing below or nearpower lines.> > Look up before raising implements.> > Think about the height and reachof machinery when buying or hiringreplacements.> > Mark power lines on a farm map andpass this information on to employees,con<strong>tractors</strong> and other visitors that needto know where they are.Do not get out of the tractor if it or animplement touches power lines. Instead,ring for help, warn people not to comenear and wait until the power companyhas made it safe.If the fire extinguisher runs out, use water(from troughs or creeks) or soil to put outthe fire.Use a mobile phone or two-way radio tocall for help.19
Page 2 and 3: The purpose of these guidelinesis t
Page 4 and 5: TABLE OF CONTENTS01 INTRODUCTION 41
Page 7 and 8: SECTION 1.0 // INTRODUCTIONThis pub
Page 9 and 10: SECTION 2.0 // HAZARDS AND CONTROLS
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Page 35 and 36: SECTION 6.0 // REFERENCESTermNIHLPT
Page 37 and 38: SECTION 6.0 // REFERENCESGuidelines
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