Important Safety Tips for Driving Tractor

Whether you’re looking for a quick safety refresher or you are learning to operate a tractor for the first time, we encourage you to read through our important safety tips below. We’ve included a few easy things you can do to ensure both you and your machinery stay safe every time you start your engine. For more information on how to drive a tractor safely, we advise reading through your owner's manual or visiting one of our locations in Albuquerque or Belen, New Mexico to speak with one of our knowledgeable employees.

Inspection

Before each ride, you’ll want to take a moment to give your machinery a quick once-over. Before you climb into the cab to check your mirrors and buckle your seatbelt, take a quick walk around your tractor. Check that the wheels and treads aren’t damaged in any way and that the installed implements are still safely attached. You’ll also want to pay close attention to any puddles around your tractor as they may be the result of leaking fluids that need to be attended to. 

Obstacles 

Tractors aren’t very agile vehicles and can tip over easily if turned too sharply. When driving your tractor remember to take slow, wide turns and keep an eye out for any obstacles in your path. If you run over a large object it could easily damage your machine’s wheels or tracks, and even cause it to tip over. 

Rollovers 

While rolling over and tipping your tractor are similar scenarios, rollovers are actually much more common. Because a tractor’s weight is not distributed evenly across its chassis, it’s much more likely to flip forward or backward rather than on its side. To avoid a rollover, keep an eye out for bumpy terrain or steep inclines. While you want to avoid driving your tractor uphill, if you need to drive up a slight incline, remember to put your tractor into a higher gear first. 

If you’re located nearby in Santa Fe or Rio Ranchero, New Mexico, we hope you’ll visit us here at Desert Greens Equipment for all of your farming needs! Whether you’re looking for some new equipment, quality repair, or helpful accessories, we’re happy to help you find everything you need at Desert Greens Equipment.