Module 4 - Continuation

Safety Precautions for

Farm Machinery &
Mechanization
 Blocks and Chocks
✓ Ensure wooden blocks for
jacking are of hardwoods, e.g.
any wood with a surface area
that will support the tractor’s
weight from soft soil’s surface.
✓ Chock all the wheels that will
remain on the ground, using big
wooden chocks at the front and
rear of each wheel.
 Blocks and Chocks – Cont’n…
✓ Don’t use rocks, they are too
unstable.
✓ Chock all wheels on articulated
vehicles to stop them twisting
sideways during jacking.
✓ Before jacking, apply brakes,
place in gear-or automatic park –
and switch ignition off.
✓ Stay clear of the tractor while
operating the jack.
 When Removing Wheels
✓ Loosen wheel nuts before the
wheel is off the ground, to avoid
any movement that could dislodge
the tractor.
✓ Before removing a tractor tire from
a rim, release all water and air
pressure.
✓ To avoid serious injuries, it is
recommended that work performed
on split rims be done by the
professionals.
When Removing Wheels-Cont’n…
✓ Never jack more than one wheel off
the ground at a time in the field.
✓ If both rear wheels have to be
removed, work on a flat, level
concrete floor, in the workshop.
✓ When removing rear wheels,
ensure the front wheels are
immobilized by fixing wedges
between axle and body.
 Combine Operator Safety
✓ Good safety habits are vital for
anyone who operates a
combine, corn picker, or other
grain-harvesting machine.
✓ However, constant alertness is
also necessary to prevent
machinery accidents.
 Combine Operator Safety
✓ The combine operator is
responsible not only for his
safety but also for the safety
of others who may be working
on or just be near the machine.
✓ The operator must be aware of
hazards and remain alert to
situations tat are potentially
dangerous.
 Combine Operator Safety
✓ This includes pre-operational
checks, starting, transporting,
towing, operating, field repair
and maintenance and stopping
the combine.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
1. Hand signals. A set of hand signals
has been endorsed by several safety
institutions.
➢ Since spoken instructions are very
difficult to hear over the sounds of
a combine, knowledge of hand
signals can be extremely helpful to
the operator when maneuvering a
combine, especially in tight places.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
2. Safety before starting.
➢ Before attempting to operate a
combine, study the operator’s manual.
➢ It has information on general safety
rules.
➢ The more you know about the
machine, the better prepared you will
be safely operate it.
➢ Always clean the combine before
starting.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
2. Safety before starting-continuation
➢ Trash around the exhaust system can
cause fires.
➢ Oil, grease or mud on ladders can cause
serious falls.
➢ If the combine is equipped with a cab,
clean the glass to provide maximum
visibility.
➢ Check the brakes once a week. With
hydraulic brakes, make sure that the
master cylinder is full of fluid and that no
air is present in the lines.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
2. Safety before starting-continuation
➢ Trash around the exhaust system can
cause fires.
➢ Oil, grease or mud on ladders can cause
serious falls.
➢ If the combine is equipped with a cab,
clean the glass to provide maximum
visibility.
➢ Check the brakes once a week. With
hydraulic brakes, make sure that the
master cylinder is full of fluid and that no
air is present in the lines.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
2. Safety before starting-continuation

➢ Always use the handrails and ladders

provided on the combined for safe
mounting and dismounting.

➢ Be sure that all power take-off (PTO)

covers, safely stands and shield are
on the machine before taking it to the
field.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
3. Starting the Combine.
✓ Before mounting the combine, make
sure that everyone is clear of the
machine.

✓ Do not allow anyone to ride with you,

unless combine is equipped with a
passenger seat.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
3. Starting the Combine-continuation

Before starting the combine:

a) Disengage header drive
b) Disengage separator drive
c) Place gearshift in neutral
d) Depress clutch pedal

➢ Be careful when using diesel starting

fluid because it is extremely
flammable.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
3. Starting the Combine-continuation

➢ If it is necessary to use jumper cables

to start the combine, be careful to
avoid sparks around the battery.
➢ Hydrogen gas escaping from the
battery can explode.
➢ Follow the operator’s manual
instructions for using jumper cables.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
4. Transporting the Combine.
➢ Always keep your mind on the
dangers of driving the combine on
public roads.
✓ Beside maintaining control of the
machine, you must watch for
obstacles on the roads, pedestrians,
and traffic.
➢ High speed is the leading cause of
accidents. Anticipate dangers and
slow down to avoid accidents.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
4. Transporting the Combine-continuation
➢ Always check headlights and safety
flashers to make sure they are properly
adjusted and in working order.
➢ Be careful when making turns. Make
sure that the rear of the combine will
have clear obstacles when it swings
around.
➢ Avoid sharp turns. Turning too sharply
at high speed can cause the machine to
turn over.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
5. Towing the Combine.
➢ If the combine must be transported
over long distances, it is safer to haul
it on a large truck or a special low
trailer.
➢ Never tow the combine at speeds
higher than 20mph.
➢ Never tow a combine equipped with
hydrostatic drive.
➢ Towing can cause damage to the
drive unit, instead, haul the combine.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
6. Operating the Combine.

➢ Never operate the combine if you are

ill or sleepy.
➢ Before starting to harvest a field,
check it carefully for ditches, fences,
and other obstacles.
➢ Be aware of weather conditions,
which present safety hazards.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
7. Field Repair & Maintenance Safety.

✓ Always keep the machine clean.

✓ Field trash around the exhaust
system can cause fires.
✓ Mud, grease, and oil on the operator’s
platform or ladders can cause falls.
✓ Before adjusting the combine,
disengage all drives and stop the
engine.
 Key Points and Supporting
Information
7. Field Repair & Maintenance Safety-
continuation

✓ Never leave the operator’s platform

with the engine running.
✓ Make sure that the header drive and
separator drive are disengaged before
attempting to clean the combine.
✓ Never try to unclog the machine with
a stick when the machine is running.
 Key Points and Supporting Information
7. Field Repair & Maintenance Safety-
continuation
✓ When operating in a dusty or noisy
locations, wear goggles and ear plugs to
ensure safe visibility and prevent hearing
loss.
✓ Never wear loose clothing that can cause
entangled in moving parts.
✓ Keep belts properly adjust and aligned.
✓ When adjusting the wheel spacing, make
certain the machine is blocked. Never
rely on jacks alone for support.
Key Points and Supporting Information

7. Field Repair & Maintenance Safety-

continuation
✓ When possible, always refuel the
combine outside the field. Let the
engine cool before attempting to
refuel and never smoke around fuels.

✓ Always carry a first aid kit and fire

extinguisher on the combine.
 Key Points and Supporting Information
8. Stopping the combine safely.
✓ To make sure drive units do not cause injury
when the machine is started again, do the
following when stopping the combine:
a) Disengage header drive
b) Disengage separator drive
c) Place gearshift lever in neutral
d) Lower header
e) Apply parking brake
f) Remove ignition key to prevent tampering or
accidental starting.
Remember: The hydraulic drive unit is not an
effective parking brake.
 HOMEWORK (Individual Activity)
1. Identify at least one farm machinery and enumerate
what are the safety precautions that should be taken
before operating it in the field.
2. Make a summary on considering those safety
precautions which you had enumerated.

Note: Put in an A4-sized of bond paper, write your last

name, first name, middle initial, subject, course year and
section, and the date (April 8, 2024) on the upper portion
of the bond paper (hand written-write legibly). Copied
output from your classmates will be rejected.
Deadline: April 15, 2024
END OF MODULE 4…