Sure, you might already know how to make the farm equipment move and do its job, but are you really being as safe as you can possibly be? To find out, you will want to take a few moments to review the following safety tips for using farm equipment.

Be Prepared For An Accident

Keeping a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the barn is a great thing. However, what happens if there were to be an accident while you are out in the field working? The best thing to do is to make sure that you are equipping all of your farm machinery with fire extinguishers and first aid kits. This way, any problems, such as cuts, burns, or a small fire can be addressed immediately.

Protect Yourself From Rollovers

Do not make the mistake of assuming that your tractor can never roll over. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you are prepared for the worst. If your tractor does not already have a rollover protection structure on it, you will want to have one installed. These can usually be purchased at most farm equipment or tractor supply stores. Also, make sure that you are wearing your seat belt while riding on your farm equipment, as this will prevent you from being tossed from it and potentially crushed by it in the event of an accident.

Keep An Eye On The Hoses

It is important to make sure that you are keeping an eye on the condition of your hydraulic hoses and all electrical lines. If you simply wait until something noticeably breaks and causes you to be stuck in the middle of a large field with no easy way to get your equipment back to the barn, you will want to catch issues before you head out there. Therefore, take just a few moments every couple of days to glance over all lines and hoses. Looking for wear, rotting, or chew spots from rodents found on the farm.

Don't Allow Riders To Sit Wherever They Want

Sure, you might need a little help out in the field, especially when it comes to things such as bailing hay. However, they need to sit with you on the front of the tractor or ride out on a different piece of equipment, truck, or ATV. Never allow anyone, no matter how much experience they have on a farm, to ride on attachment pieces, fenders, or the hitch. They could easily fall off and become injured

With those four safety tips in mind, you should be a lot safer the next time you venture out on your farm equipment. For more information, contact companies like Clark Tractor & Supply.