I have been riding articles on tractor safety and I am little concerned. I have never operated a tractor before. I will use it for plow snow and the field. Other than the service and operating manual any books or websites on safety you can recommend? I was currently looking to purchase an 8n but know I am wondering if a newer tractor would be safer? Any tip or advice?
- Thread starter MLB
- Start date
Find someone who knows what theyre doing and can help you learn. I bet even the owner of the tractor would help you. You should be concerned, all tractors are dangerous. Theres not much to them, but theyre dangerous. Do you have any idea how it works???
And if you are plowing a field, you will need someone who will show you how. Not nearly as easy as it looks. Trust me. My email is open, i can help you somewhat.
And if you are plowing a field, you will need someone who will show you how. Not nearly as easy as it looks. Trust me. My email is open, i can help you somewhat.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
Yep farming and tractors operating is one of the top 10 most daneruos job there is. If you have a friend or know some one that owns a tractor see if they will help you learn what to do and what not to do. The ford 8N is one that because if the non live any thing can get a novice in trouble. One of the best rules is never get off the tractor with the engine running. That said I do it all the time but if your working on one some times there is no choice but to get off and do things.
Hobby farm
Hobby farm
Yeah. Don't get lulled into complacency.
It can be as simple to drive a tractor as to drive a car, you've already got most of the basics down except for the individual brakes, and flip a metal bar over and you don't even have to worry about that. But it's easy to think "a car goes 75 miles an hour, this thing only does 6mph wide open in 4th gear, this will be cake." I learned the hard way that sometimes when you're on a tractor you gotta watch a dozen things at once and sometimes even 3mph is too fast!
Tractors just feel bigger and more awkward in general than a car or pickup.
It can be as simple to drive a tractor as to drive a car, you've already got most of the basics down except for the individual brakes, and flip a metal bar over and you don't even have to worry about that. But it's easy to think "a car goes 75 miles an hour, this thing only does 6mph wide open in 4th gear, this will be cake." I learned the hard way that sometimes when you're on a tractor you gotta watch a dozen things at once and sometimes even 3mph is too fast!
Tractors just feel bigger and more awkward in general than a car or pickup.
An 8n wouldn't pull a greased string out of a cat's a#$, look for a Massey 135 instead. Just kidding. Main things to look out for are:
1. Always shut the tractor down and set parking brake before dismounting. Dont even think about messin' with an implement while the pto is engaged
2. Never put yourself between/under a load.
3. Understand that there are alot of pinch/crush points on a tractor. Most of my ring finger is no longer functional from a heavy baler pto shaft crushing it. Everything was turned off-me being clumsy. I'm lucky, I know more than one farmer missing fingers, arms, permanant limps etc. from accidents
1. Always shut the tractor down and set parking brake before dismounting. Dont even think about messin' with an implement while the pto is engaged
2. Never put yourself between/under a load.
3. Understand that there are alot of pinch/crush points on a tractor. Most of my ring finger is no longer functional from a heavy baler pto shaft crushing it. Everything was turned off-me being clumsy. I'm lucky, I know more than one farmer missing fingers, arms, permanant limps etc. from accidents
Doug in Illinois
Member
4H used to offer tractor safety courses. Check with them and maybe FFA (Future afrmers of America). Also, 8N is a little more risky as regards PTO as is not live PTO, meaning that it will "push" the tractor thru the inertia of the PTO powered implement. At least pick up an aftermarket overruning clutch for the PTO. DOUG
TripleRange
Member
Sure a newer tractor will probably be safer. But 90% of saftey is using common sense.
Chuck (CA)
Well-known Member
For about the same price, look at a MF 35 or 135 as prev suggested; Live PTO and hydraulics and also a hi/low transmission for slower going when necessary.
Since the throttle is by hand and not by foot, reaction to situations is not as quick.
If you ever have to pull, tow, uproot, etc, ALWAYS hook up below the rear end, not by the top link. It can flip over much too quickly.
Watch yourself if you have to go along an incline. Better yet, don't go along an incline, always go perpindicular to it.
HTH, Chuck
Since the throttle is by hand and not by foot, reaction to situations is not as quick.
If you ever have to pull, tow, uproot, etc, ALWAYS hook up below the rear end, not by the top link. It can flip over much too quickly.
Watch yourself if you have to go along an incline. Better yet, don't go along an incline, always go perpindicular to it.
HTH, Chuck
dave guest
Well-known Member
Never start tractor unless you are in seat. Safer with clutch down. After started let clutch up real slow, you may have it in gear. Remember tractor will roll on hill when out of gear. No parking brake, leave in gear if necessary. Any chance tractor is frozen on ground, only reverse, forward will flip. Watch dogs and little kids. Watch loose clothing, long hair. Don't smoke on tractor. Stop engine to do anything until you are experienced. Try some emergency stops and shutdowns. Don't turn around and look behind you unless you have darn good reason. Only a couple that hit me. You will find lots more.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Most tractor fatalities are caused by backflipping due to trying to pull trees or stumps. and also by side overturns, as in operating on a steep sideslope. A local man died here a few days ago, when he was mowing a bank over a creek, the bank collapsed and the tractor crushed him.. These are the situations that a tractor operator needs to always be aware of.. It is best to always stop for a moment, and assess a situation, before rushing in.. There is no shame in not doing a certain tractor job, if you so not feel it is safe.. I would rather be a living " Skairdy Cat" , than a dead guy that would take chances..
Many tractors have the safety features bypassed or disabled, especially the switches on the gearshift and clutch to prevent you from starting it in gear. So get in a habit to always wiggle the gearshift to make sure it is out of gear before twisting the key or pushing that button, and for good measure try not to park a tractor in gear. There are times (on a slope etc) you cant help it but make a habit not to. Oh, and start it while sitting on the seat, not on the ground.
It takes a lot of brass to chase down a runaway tractor only a second after leaping away because it tried to run you over!
It takes a lot of brass to chase down a runaway tractor only a second after leaping away because it tried to run you over!
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I'll recount the 3 tractor-related near death experiences I've had (the ones I know about anyway). I'm sure I will be called out for being an idiot, but it's for the greater good 
1) Pulling a loaded manure spreader up a steep hill, and ran out of fuel on a JD 3010. I was in too high of a gear and the load started running the motor backwards pulling be backwards. For my third stupid mistake, I went for Park without realizing that I had no fricking brakes with the engine dead. Luckily the spreader quickly jack-knifed saving my life.
2) Driving a JD 4010 and square baler up a steep road and the power steering went out. My first response was to slam down the clutch and brakes. Oops, brakes are on the same system as power steering. There was just enough brakes to get me stopped, so I was rolling backwards almost immediately. I managed to use the clutch as a brake without popping it, then when i burned enough clutch to nearly stopped, I popped it to kill the engine. Could have easily ended in disaster.
3) Pulling a load of square bales down a steep hill with an AC WD-45. One rear tractor wheel slipped on a patch of loose hay and the rear of the tractor shifted sideways and wagon tongue started to jack-knife pushing the tractor even more sideways. I had to through out the hand clutch and went for a wild ride off to the even steeper hill off to the side of the road. I had pulled the same load down the same hill with the same tractor a hundred times before, but that was the last time I ever pulled a load down that hill with a tractor less that 80HP.
1) Pulling a loaded manure spreader up a steep hill, and ran out of fuel on a JD 3010. I was in too high of a gear and the load started running the motor backwards pulling be backwards. For my third stupid mistake, I went for Park without realizing that I had no fricking brakes with the engine dead. Luckily the spreader quickly jack-knifed saving my life.
2) Driving a JD 4010 and square baler up a steep road and the power steering went out. My first response was to slam down the clutch and brakes. Oops, brakes are on the same system as power steering. There was just enough brakes to get me stopped, so I was rolling backwards almost immediately. I managed to use the clutch as a brake without popping it, then when i burned enough clutch to nearly stopped, I popped it to kill the engine. Could have easily ended in disaster.
3) Pulling a load of square bales down a steep hill with an AC WD-45. One rear tractor wheel slipped on a patch of loose hay and the rear of the tractor shifted sideways and wagon tongue started to jack-knife pushing the tractor even more sideways. I had to through out the hand clutch and went for a wild ride off to the even steeper hill off to the side of the road. I had pulled the same load down the same hill with the same tractor a hundred times before, but that was the last time I ever pulled a load down that hill with a tractor less that 80HP.
Alot of what I am going to say has probably been said already.
For starters the absolute best safety device on what ever tractor you buy is between your ears. USE IT!!!
For what you are describing as your intended use the 8N would be a good choice. If you want to push snow with a front end loader I would suggest getting one with a crank driven pump. this will give you live hydraulic (pump won't stop when you depress the clutch). And the pump will have enough flow to handle the loader. If you are going to primarly use a back blade for snow this will work but less than ideal as the pump will stop when you depress the clutch and you will need to put the tractor in neutral and let the clutch out to raise the blade.
The 8N has a low center of gravity and if using your head will be real tough to roll over. However if you decide to try and pull a stump with the three point while lifting at the same time you are asking for trouble. Same goes for pulling from any point other than the drawbar.
If you think you may want to run a mower with this tractor at a later date I would suggest getting something with live Power Take Off (PTO). The 8N doesn't have it and you can't realistically add it to that tractor.
Ford was real early in adding safety features to their tractors. They were the only company to have a neutral safety start interlock in the 40's and 50's that I know of. I guess the Ferguson's had this also but it is a little different on them. Just make sure that the 8N you buy has this feature working. If the starter switch is right in front of the gearshift you are good to go there. Not a big deal to fix so I wouldn't turn one away if the safety interlock has been disabled. This set up won't let the tractor turn over when it is in gear.
Not a whole lot more I can add at this point.
HTH
jt
For starters the absolute best safety device on what ever tractor you buy is between your ears. USE IT!!!
For what you are describing as your intended use the 8N would be a good choice. If you want to push snow with a front end loader I would suggest getting one with a crank driven pump. this will give you live hydraulic (pump won't stop when you depress the clutch). And the pump will have enough flow to handle the loader. If you are going to primarly use a back blade for snow this will work but less than ideal as the pump will stop when you depress the clutch and you will need to put the tractor in neutral and let the clutch out to raise the blade.
The 8N has a low center of gravity and if using your head will be real tough to roll over. However if you decide to try and pull a stump with the three point while lifting at the same time you are asking for trouble. Same goes for pulling from any point other than the drawbar.
If you think you may want to run a mower with this tractor at a later date I would suggest getting something with live Power Take Off (PTO). The 8N doesn't have it and you can't realistically add it to that tractor.
Ford was real early in adding safety features to their tractors. They were the only company to have a neutral safety start interlock in the 40's and 50's that I know of. I guess the Ferguson's had this also but it is a little different on them. Just make sure that the 8N you buy has this feature working. If the starter switch is right in front of the gearshift you are good to go there. Not a big deal to fix so I wouldn't turn one away if the safety interlock has been disabled. This set up won't let the tractor turn over when it is in gear.
Not a whole lot more I can add at this point.
HTH
jt
Nikolas Britton
Member
Tractors are not that dangerous if you use common sense... Just like driving a car. Things you should know...
* Stay away from steep grades. If you have to cross one, drive straight up or down it... A sure fire way to roll a tractor is for one of your wheels to fall into a hole while your driving on the side of a hill. Row crop tractors also have the same problems as three wheelers, when you hear in the news about a tractor rollover... 9 times out of 10 it was a rowcroper.
* Hitching to anything other than the drawbar dramatically increases the chance of tipping the tractor.
* Somebody should always be in the drivers seat while it's moving... Putting it in the slowest gear and slowest engine rpm is still unsafe, because the rear wheels can sneak up on your feet.
* Stay away from the PTO when engaged! It's not going to stop if you get your hand, leg, glove, shirt, hair stuck in it. Remember that one movie where someone accidentally fell into an industrial chipper/shredder? Same effect.
* A good habit to get into is always checking if the tractor is in or out of gear when starting. That way it won't run you over if you try and start it without being in the seat. If starting without being in the seat, take the shifter AND the forward/reverse shuttle out of gear.
* Stay away from steep grades. If you have to cross one, drive straight up or down it... A sure fire way to roll a tractor is for one of your wheels to fall into a hole while your driving on the side of a hill. Row crop tractors also have the same problems as three wheelers, when you hear in the news about a tractor rollover... 9 times out of 10 it was a rowcroper.
* Hitching to anything other than the drawbar dramatically increases the chance of tipping the tractor.
* Somebody should always be in the drivers seat while it's moving... Putting it in the slowest gear and slowest engine rpm is still unsafe, because the rear wheels can sneak up on your feet.
* Stay away from the PTO when engaged! It's not going to stop if you get your hand, leg, glove, shirt, hair stuck in it. Remember that one movie where someone accidentally fell into an industrial chipper/shredder? Same effect.
* A good habit to get into is always checking if the tractor is in or out of gear when starting. That way it won't run you over if you try and start it without being in the seat. If starting without being in the seat, take the shifter AND the forward/reverse shuttle out of gear.
Fergienewbee
Well-known Member
One of the things that impresses me and that I'm still learning, is the amount of torque or traction a tractor has. Things that would stop a car dead in its tracks, a tractor climbs or runs over. Be careful going up steep hills or banks with a load on the back. Once the front wheels are off the ground, tractors get real squirley. Even pulling things from the drawbar, like downed trees, can get you in trouble. Can raise the front wheels off the ground. BTDT.
Even though road gear may top out at 10-12 mph, running along the shoulder can get dicey if there are any steep banks. Just pay attention.
Like others said, never work on or try to free anything with the PTO running.
Larry in Michigan
Even though road gear may top out at 10-12 mph, running along the shoulder can get dicey if there are any steep banks. Just pay attention.
Like others said, never work on or try to free anything with the PTO running.
Larry in Michigan
![4020_rowcrop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket](https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii44/thurlow8/4020_rowcrop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket)
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
WOW! This thread is a prime example of the dumbing down of America.
"Those who can...DO. Those who CAN'T......TEACH!
I suppose the next thing I read will be, Tractors are like guns.........they should be outlawed!
If you have never used a tractor in your life.....ya darn sure ain't getting on mine!
"Those who can...DO. Those who CAN'T......TEACH!
I suppose the next thing I read will be, Tractors are like guns.........they should be outlawed!
If you have never used a tractor in your life.....ya darn sure ain't getting on mine!
Revredneck
Member
In normal conversation, a "rowcropper" is a tractor with the front wheels set close together, which makes it more like a tricycle. That setup is much less stable than the wide front version in your photo.
Good Luck and God Bless.
Good Luck and God Bless.
Kentb of SWMO
Well-known Member
Tractor pictured in this threas IS NOT a tow crop model. Row Crop models have a narrow front end with the tw wheel mounted very close together.
Kent
Kent
The term "row crop" is still used by various manufactures even though none manufacture a narrow front wheel configuration. John Deere refers to their 100-275 hp tractors (7000-8000 series) as "row crop" tractors). My neighbor went to "organic farming" and has several tractors set up with 60" tread spacing on the front wheels and 60" and 120" on the rears to fit between the "row crops".
The Ford 8N is a perfectly safe little tractor if operated within its design limitations. It's a lightweight (about 2500 lbs), so keep that in mind when pulling loads, particularly on hills. It's low slung so it has a relatively low vertical center of gravity and is good for getting under low branches, etc. ROPS are available as add ons but I've never seen anyone with them. Do some homework. Search for tractor safety tips. Carver Equipment of Dunn Hill, NC used to have a long list of safety tips on their website as do many others. There are so many ways to get into trouble with a tractor that it's impossible to list them all but, as far as I know, no one is coming up with anything new. People are getting hurt in the same old ways. Try to learn from the mistakes of others.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
The tractor should have a rops and the operator wear the seat belt.
There were some some farm safety videos around of roll over demos. They were a real eye opener of how little of a bump on a side hill or while pulling. How easy it is to flip the tractor and crush the operator.
If something is making you feel like something is wrong or going to go wrong. That"s a good time to halt things. Instead of "get er done" and have a wreck.
Open shafts and belts still maime and kill people even thought they knew they were there and they were being careful.
There were some some farm safety videos around of roll over demos. They were a real eye opener of how little of a bump on a side hill or while pulling. How easy it is to flip the tractor and crush the operator.
If something is making you feel like something is wrong or going to go wrong. That"s a good time to halt things. Instead of "get er done" and have a wreck.
Open shafts and belts still maime and kill people even thought they knew they were there and they were being careful.
Nikolas Britton
Member
This is what I meant by rowcroper... Here's a video of a typical rollover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlBZ8ewSVj8
My county is predominately farming country.
Most of the deaths around here can be catagorized into 2 catagories.
Novices doing stupid things
Experienced operators doing stupid things.
One novice died @ 540 rpm being bashed around the shaft of a silage blower
One experienced oper. died while starting a diesel with a screwdriver on the solenoid.
Another novice died when he THOUGHT he had the manure skidsteer in reverse pushing into a lagoon.
Another experienced op. died when he raised a Richardton dump trailer up into a 115KV line.
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE YOU CAN PUT ON YOUR TRACTOR IS ORGANIC!!!!
Resides between yer ears. The machine don't care.
Now that I've neatly catagorized tractor safety, I gotta add 'nother one.
One of my grandson's other grandfather (Experienced) died while balein' hay. Neighbor wondered why he wuz going in circles in the hayfield and found him; arm hooked inna steering wheel. Dead of a heart attack.
Most of the deaths around here can be catagorized into 2 catagories.
Novices doing stupid things
Experienced operators doing stupid things.
One novice died @ 540 rpm being bashed around the shaft of a silage blower
One experienced oper. died while starting a diesel with a screwdriver on the solenoid.
Another novice died when he THOUGHT he had the manure skidsteer in reverse pushing into a lagoon.
Another experienced op. died when he raised a Richardton dump trailer up into a 115KV line.
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE YOU CAN PUT ON YOUR TRACTOR IS ORGANIC!!!!
Resides between yer ears. The machine don't care.
Now that I've neatly catagorized tractor safety, I gotta add 'nother one.
One of my grandson's other grandfather (Experienced) died while balein' hay. Neighbor wondered why he wuz going in circles in the hayfield and found him; arm hooked inna steering wheel. Dead of a heart attack.
jose bagge
Well-known Member
The tractor related deaths/ injuries out here where I live fell into 2 categories- stupidity with loaders and stupidity on slopes.
Although I am usually considered the wreckless type, in the interest of my own safety I try to keep any load as low as possible for as long as possible- no sense riding around with it overhead until you absolutely need to get it that high. Side passes on slopes scare the BeeJeeses out of me so I'm pretty safe in that regard.
Although I am usually considered the wreckless type, in the interest of my own safety I try to keep any load as low as possible for as long as possible- no sense riding around with it overhead until you absolutely need to get it that high. Side passes on slopes scare the BeeJeeses out of me so I'm pretty safe in that regard.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
If you can go work for some grumpy old farmer with zero tolerance for nonsence. It may save your life, although it could hurt your feelings.
I have been there.
I have been there.
cornfarmer
Member
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is an excellent choice. I use their safety manuals (about $2.50 ea) and materials to train my operators on various types of machinery, including farm tractors.
Untitled URL Link
Untitled URL Link
GeneMO
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pilot Grove, Mo.
Hire someone else to do the work and set in the shade.
Gene
Gene
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy