Tractors have been helping farmers to complete their work more quickly and efficiently for a century now, and it’s hard to imagine a time without their presence in our lives. While you’re probably pretty experienced in operating your tractor, a brush-up on best safety practices never hurts. Here are some of the things to bear in mind when using your tractor to keep yourself and other people, animals, and property safe.

1. Master Your Tractor

First off, it’s a great idea to review your tractor’s owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends in terms of maintenance and operational safety. The owner’s manual will also help you to learn how to operate your tractor correctly by showing you what switches, buttons, and levers do what. If you haven’t taken the time to review your owner’s manual, it’s never too late!

2. Operate While Sober

You should only ever operate your tractor while you’re sober, alert, and in good spirits. If you’re feeling bad mentally or physically, or if you’re intoxicated in some fashion, your focus will be dulled and your reaction time will be slower. There’s a reason why there are “do not operate heavy machinery” warnings on various medications.

3. Use Caution

Finally, when you’re out on your tractor, you should be mindful of who or what is around you and your machine at all times. You’ll also want to be sure you’re wearing proper clothing (snug-fitting clothes without draping fabric or hanging cords are best), along with safety gear like a helmet, work gloves, work boots, and goggles.

Looking to buy a new tractor? Stop by our location in Athens, GA, to view our wide range of new and used tractors and other types of farm equipment for sale. You can also talk to our sales team about our financing and trade-in options if you’d like to use those to fund your tractor purchase. A&H Sales & Service serves the greater Atlanta, GA, metropolitan area as your #1 Mahindra® dealer.