Tractor Operation
Before starting a tractor
a) check the oil
b) check the hydraulic fluid
c) check the radiator coolant (careful if the engine is hot)
d) check for any fluid leaks on the tractor
e) check the air filter
f) check the tires for cracks and pressure (visual)
g) check for any loose or damaged wires
h) check fuel tank
Beginning to start a tractor
a) seat belt on
b) parking brake on
c) clutch in
d) gears in neutral
e) everyone clear of tractor and connected machinery
f) diesel shutoff turned on
g) insert and turn key for no more that 30 seconds
h) release clutch
i) allow the engine to reach operating temperature before applying any load to the drawbar
j) watch all lights and gauges on the dash
Driving a tractor
a) clutch in
b) select gear
c) everyone clear of tractor and connected machinery
d) slowly release clutch to engage transmission
e) completely release clutch
f) drive carefully
Shutting off a tractor
a) stop the tractor movement by:
i) putting the clutch in
ii) the foot brake on
b) disengage PTO if on
c) set parking brake
d) turn off tractor ignition switch
e) pull diesel shut off (if tractor is a diesel)
f) place tractor in low gear
g) unbuckle seat belt
h) get off tractor carefully
i) remove key
Dashboard
- tachometer
- measures engine rpm
- Revolutions Per Minute of the crankshaft in the engine
- measures ground speed (estimated by gear selection and engine rpm)
- measures PTO rpm
- Power Take Off revolutions per minute
- determined by the engine rpm
- not the same as the engine rpm
- measures hours
- life of an engine is not how many miles it travels, but how much the engine has worked.
- 1 hour = PTO speed for 1 hour
- amp meter
- measures charging of the battery
- should be slightly positive
- temperature gauge
- measures the coolant temperature
- should operate in green area
- oil pressure gauge
- measures the engine oil pressure
- should operate in normal area
Fueling a Tractor
- determine if the tractor is a gas or diesel engine
- do not over fill fuel tank - leave room for the fuel to expand
- do not spill fuel
- clean up if you do (dirt attracts to fuel and can cause over heating of engine)
PTO Operation
- Power Take Off
- always have pto shields attached
- engage slowly while engine rpm's are low
- fully engage when in use
- standard 540 rpm
- at engine pto operating speed (see
- optional 1000 rpm (fits different pto shaft)
Safety rules for PTO's
1. Keep PTO guards and shields in place, even when the PTO is not operating
2. Always disconnect the PTO when not in use
3. Never engage the PTO while the machine engine is shut off
4. Keep hands, feet, and clothing away form PTO parts
5. Be sure your clothing fits snugly
6. Never operate PTO shafts at extreme angles
7. Never ride, or permit others to ride on the drawbar of the tractor.
8. Never hook 540 rpm equipment to 1000 rpm equipment
9. Be sure PTO spinner shields rotate freely at all times
10. Always be sure PTO stub shaft is properly secured to the machine's powershaft
11. Do not service on a machine without first disengaging the PTO and shutting off the tractor engine
Road Travel
- seat belt on
- you have every right to drive your tractor and equipment on the road
- do not be intimidated by cars/trucks behind you
- allow them to pass by staying as far to the right as possible
- maximum output speed is 25 mph
- maximum speed depends on conditions
- road
- equipment attached
- traffic
- lock right and left brake pedals so they always work together
- if the brakes were not operating as one, if in a emergency stop you pressed only the right or the left brake you would spin the tractor and jackknife.
- must have SMV signs
- Slow Moving Vehicle
- placed center or left side of tractor or trailer
- new and visible
- lights must work
- amber flashing to the front and rear of the tractor
- headlights to the front
- rear light pointed down and on the left of the tractor
- turning signs must work
- hand signals are fine -- you must use them
- slow down during turns
- always be able to get out of a spot if parked
Field Travel
- seat belt on
- maximum output speed 8 mph
- maximum speed depends on field conditions
- plowing 3 - 4 mph
- harrowing 2 - 6 mph
- planting 5 mph
- harvesting 2 - 8 mph
- ground travel is maintained by PTO speed and gear selection
- tachometer for PTO speed is about 2,000 to 2,500 engine rpm
- 540 or 1000
- idle speed is about 600 - 900 engine rpm
- maintain your ground speed by choosing the gear that allows the ground speed and allows the engine to run at PTO speed
- brake pedals should be able to work independently of each other
- lights as needed
- it is always better to work during daylight hours
- better visibility
- monitor equipment as much as possible while paying attention to your forward direction
- do not turn too sharp in a plowed field:
- front wheels willslide
- front tie rodswill bend or break
- trailing equipment might hit tractor's rear wheels
- STOP IF SOMETHING IS WRONG AND FIX IT!!