Pre-Operation Check
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Fuel Level
Coolant Level
Engine Oil Level
Hydraulic Oil Level
Battery Condition
Lug Nuts and Wheels
Tire Condition
Loose or Defective Parts
SMV Emblem
Fluid Leaks
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Operators Platform/Steps
Seat/Adjustment
Seat Belt
Fire Extinguisher
Lighting/Flashers
Visibility From Operator’s
Seat
http://www.foleyeq.com/ImagesUpload/Track%20Tractor%20page%20-%20Belt%20Tractor.png
What to Look for in a Pre-Operation
Check:
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Low tires and leakage from valve stem
Oil or hydraulic leaks on the ground beneath the tractor
A frayed or worn fan belt
Corroded battery terminals
Loose bolts or lug nuts on wheels
Dirty cab windows that obstruct your vision
Headlights/Warning Lights with broken bulbs or glass
SMV Emblem that is faded or distorted in color/shape
Fire extinguisher with a pressure gauge in “recharge” range
Several tools or supplies on the operator platform
Fuel, Oil, and Coolant Levels
http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Tas
k%20Sheets/4.6.1%20Fuel,%20Oil,%20an
d%20Coolant%20Levels.pdf
Lead Acid Batteries
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Battery Case—holds the
battery acid solution and
electrical storage plates
Battery Plate—Holds
electrical charges (+) and
(-)
Terminals—connected to
storage plates and become
the connecting points for
battery cables leading to
the starter (+) and the
ground (-)
http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Task%20Sheets/4.6.2%20Lead%20Acid%20Batteries.pdf
Using a Battery Charger
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Tools You Need:
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Safety Glasses
Approved Battery
Charger
Wrenches (for
battery cables)
Battery Terminal
Cleaner
Rubber Gloves
Using Jumper Cables
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Tools You Need:
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Safety Glasses
Approved Booster Cables of
4-,6-, or 8- gauge wire
Wrenches to Remove Battery
Cables
Battery Terminal Cleaner
Booster Battery (usually from
another tractor or vehicle)
Rubber Gloves
http://www.accuratebuilding.com/images/publications/family_circle/fc_winter_car_guide/battery_setup.jpg
Tire and Wheel Condition
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Tire Basics
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Check tire pressure
regularly
Use wheel weights to
reduce excess slippage
(which damages the tire)
Drive careful to avoid
damaging objects
Make tire repairs
promptly
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Tire Facts
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Worn treads = poor
traction
Leaking valve stems
release calcium solution
that rusts rims
Tractor tires may cost
hundreds of dollars to
replace!
http://www.trellco.com/images/tire_TM800_large.gif
The Operator Platform
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Keep steps and platform clear of mud, manure, and
tools
Tractors with ROPS have seatbelts and they should
be used!
For better visibility, keep the windows and mirrors
clean!
Find seat adjustments and know how they work
The tractor platform compares to a cockpit in a
plane
Starting and Stopping Diesel and
Gas Engines
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Gas Engine:
 Starter motor spins
engine
 Fuel and air mix enters
combustion chamber;
spark plug ignites mix
 Engine starts
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Diesel Engine:
 Starter motor spins the
engine and activates the
fuel pump
 Fuel droplets are
sprayed into super hot
combustion chamber
 Engine starts
Stopping Diesel and Gas Engines
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Gas
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Throttle back to idle speed
Place tractor in PARK or
neutral and set the brakes
Turn off ignition key and
remove the key to prevent
accidental starting by an
untrained person
When parking on a hill,
place the transmission in a
low gear with brakes set
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Diesel
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Throttle back to idle speed
Place tractor in PARK or
neutral and set the brakes
Turn off ignition key and
remove the key to prevent
accidental starting by an
untrained person
Pull “red” fuel pump shutoff control rod
When parking on a hill,
place the transmission in a
low gear with brakes set
Starting Diesel and Gas Engines
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Gas:
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Push in clutch and check that
tractor is in neutral
Adjust throttle to 1/3 open
Choke ignition on cool days
Turn starter key to “on”
Check lights and gauges
Turn key to “start” position, but do
not crank engine for more than 1030 seconds to avoid damage to
starter or running down battery
Recheck gauges (especially oil)
Warm up engine at 800-1000
RPMS for a few minutes
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Diesel:
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Push in clutch and check that
tractor is in neutral
Adjust throttle to 1/3 open
On cold days, turn ignition key to
warm the glow plug (DO NOT use
ether starter fluid)
Check lights and gauges
Turn key to “start” position, but do
not crank engine for more than 1030 seconds to avoid damage to
starter or running down battery
Recheck gauges (especially oil)
Warm up engine at 800-1000
RPMS for a few minutes
Mounting and Starting the Tractor
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Keep platform free of tools, equipment, mud,
or other debris
Use handholds and steps
Adjust seat and steering wheel
Adjust and buckle seat belt
Check major controls for the
neutral position
http://abe.sdstate.edu/hosta/index_files/Task%20Sheets/4.8%20Mounting%20and%20Starting%20the%20Tractor.pdf
Shutting Down the Tractor
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Engine cool down for several minutes at fast idle
(800-1200 RPM)
Even if hydraulics were not used, work the
hydraulics to relieve pressure
Stop and park on the most level ground possible.
Set brakes and/or place gearshift in PARK
Lower attached equipment to ground
Place all controls and switches in OFF, NEUTRAL,
or LOCKED position
Chock wheels if heavy load is attached
Moving and Steering the Tractor
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An expert tractor operator moves the tractor
without stalling or jerking
Know the gear-shift pattern of the tractor you
are using
Wide turns on public roads will place the
tractor and equipment into the opposite lane of
traffic. This creates a hazard.
http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/images/wcm1110000.jpg
Operating the Tractor in Reverse
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Tips for backing up a tractor with an implement:
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Be sure seat controls are properly adjusted
Be sure all people, animals, and objects are clear of the
tractor
Engage the clutch slowly, use a low engine speed, and
maintain foot contact with the clutch and brake
Turn the top of the steering wheel in the direction you
want the rear of the tractor to move
To back with a two-wheeled implement, you must use
the rear of the tractor to force the implement to go where
you want it. To move the implement to the right, steer
the tractor to the left and vice versa.
Tractor Stability
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CG—Center of Gravity is a
point where all parts of a
physical object balance one
another.
The tractor will not
overturn if the CG stays
inside the stability baseline.
The CG moves around
inside the baseline area as
you operate the tractor
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Reasons the CG moves
around:
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Tractor is operated on a
steep slope
Tractor’s CG raised higher
from its natural location 10
inches above the rear axle
Tractor is going too fast for
sharpness of turn
Power is applied to the
tractor’s rear wheels too
quickly
Tractor is trying to pull a
load that is not hitched to the
drawbar
Operating the Tractor on Public
Roads
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Movement Hazards
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Pulling slowly onto roads with long and heavy loads
Slow tractor travel speeds
Left turns across traffic into narrow field lanes
Swinging into the left lane to make a right turn into a
field
Wide machinery being transported
Potential for spilled loads
General Practices for Tractors on
Highways
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Time of day—avoid busy times. Moving loads after
nightfall may be better timing, but light is a necessary
consideration
Courtesy—watch others. Let high speed traffic go first
Blind Spots—if possible avoid areas that pose visibility
problems
Shifting Loads—Whatever you spill, you are responsible for
cleaning up and for alerting traffic to use caution
Safe Equipment—be sure damaged equipment doesn’t
create a road hazard
Lighting and Marking
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Headlights
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Taillights
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Two amber lamps to the front and two red colored lights to the rear mounted
with flashers
One visible at 600 feet mounted to the rear and 2-10 feet above the ground
Reflectors
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Two or more lamps with amber color to the front and red color to the rear
SMV Emblem
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https://www.outbacktoystore.com/images/products/ZJD9053.jpg
Turn Indicators
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Two red lights mounted at the rear
Hazard Flashers
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Two white lights mounted at the same level
Two red reflectors (on rear outside corners) and two yellow reflectors (on the
front outside corners) of the machine
Conspicuity Material
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Red retro-reflective and red-orange fluorescent color visible to mark the rear.
Yellow retro-reflective material to mark the front.