Pre-Operation Check Fuel Level Fuel Level Coolant Level Coolant Level Engine Oil Level Engine Oil Level Hydraulic Oil Level Hydraulic Oil Level Battery Condition Battery Condition Lug Nuts and Wheels Lug Nuts and Wheels Tire Condition Tire Condition Loose or Defective Parts Loose or Defective Parts SMV Emblem SMV Emblem Fluid Leaks Fluid Leaks Operators Platform/Steps Operators Platform/Steps Seat/Adjustment Seat/Adjustment Seat Belt Seat Belt Fire Extinguisher Fire Extinguisher Lighting/Flashers Lighting/Flashers Visibility From Operator’s Seat Visibility From Operator’s Seat

What to Look for in a Pre-Operation Check: Low tires and leakage from valve stem Low tires and leakage from valve stem Oil or hydraulic leaks on the ground beneath the tractor Oil or hydraulic leaks on the ground beneath the tractor A frayed or worn fan belt A frayed or worn fan belt Corroded battery terminals Corroded battery terminals Loose bolts or lug nuts on wheels Loose bolts or lug nuts on wheels Dirty cab windows that obstruct your vision Dirty cab windows that obstruct your vision Headlights/Warning Lights with broken bulbs or glass Headlights/Warning Lights with broken bulbs or glass SMV Emblem that is faded or distorted in color/shape SMV Emblem that is faded or distorted in color/shape Fire extinguisher with a pressure gauge in “recharge” range Fire extinguisher with a pressure gauge in “recharge” range Several tools or supplies on the operator platform Several tools or supplies on the operator platform

Fuel, Oil, and Coolant Levels k%20Sheets/4.6.1%20Fuel,%20Oil,%20an d%20Coolant%20Levels.pdf

Lead Acid Batteries Battery Case—holds the battery acid solution and electrical storage plates Battery Case—holds the battery acid solution and electrical storage plates Battery Plate—Holds electrical charges (+) and (-) 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 (-) Terminals—connected to storage plates and become the connecting points for battery cables leading to the starter (+) and the ground (-)

Using a Battery Charger Tools You Need: Tools You Need: Safety Glasses Safety Glasses Approved Battery Charger Approved Battery Charger Wrenches (for battery cables) Wrenches (for battery cables) Battery Terminal Cleaner Battery Terminal Cleaner Rubber Gloves Rubber Gloves

Using Jumper Cables Tools You Need: Tools You Need: Safety Glasses Safety Glasses Approved Booster Cables of 4-,6-, or 8- gauge wire Approved Booster Cables of 4-,6-, or 8- gauge wire Wrenches to Remove Battery Cables Wrenches to Remove Battery Cables Battery Terminal Cleaner Battery Terminal Cleaner Booster Battery (usually from another tractor or vehicle) Booster Battery (usually from another tractor or vehicle) Rubber Gloves Rubber Gloves

Tire and Wheel Condition Tire Basics Tire Basics Check tire pressure regularly Check tire pressure regularly Use wheel weights to reduce excess slippage (which damages the tire) Use wheel weights to reduce excess slippage (which damages the tire) Drive careful to avoid damaging objects Drive careful to avoid damaging objects Make tire repairs promptly Make tire repairs promptly Tire Facts Tire Facts Worn treads = poor traction Leaking valve stems release calcium solution that rusts rims Tractor tires may cost hundreds of dollars to replace!

The Operator Platform Keep steps and platform clear of mud, manure, and tools Keep steps and platform clear of mud, manure, and tools Tractors with ROPS have seatbelts and they should be used! Tractors with ROPS have seatbelts and they should be used! For better visibility, keep the windows and mirrors clean! For better visibility, keep the windows and mirrors clean! Find seat adjustments and know how they work Find seat adjustments and know how they work The tractor platform compares to a cockpit in a plane The tractor platform compares to a cockpit in a plane

Starting and Stopping Diesel and Gas Engines Gas Engine: Gas Engine: Starter motor spins engine Starter motor spins engine Fuel and air mix enters combustion chamber; spark plug ignites mix Fuel and air mix enters combustion chamber; spark plug ignites mix Engine starts Engine starts Diesel Engine: 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 Gas Gas Throttle back to idle speed Throttle back to idle speed Place tractor in PARK or neutral and set the brakes 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 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 When parking on a hill, place the transmission in a low gear with brakes set Diesel Diesel 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 shut- off control rod When parking on a hill, place the transmission in a low gear with brakes set

Starting Diesel and Gas Engines Gas: Gas: Push in clutch and check that tractor is in neutral Push in clutch and check that tractor is in neutral Adjust throttle to 1/3 open Adjust throttle to 1/3 open Choke ignition on cool days Choke ignition on cool days Turn starter key to “on” Turn starter key to “on” Check lights and gauges Check lights and gauges Turn key to “start” position, but do not crank engine for more than seconds to avoid damage to starter or running down battery Turn key to “start” position, but do not crank engine for more than seconds to avoid damage to starter or running down battery Recheck gauges (especially oil) Recheck gauges (especially oil) Warm up engine at RPMS for a few minutes Warm up engine at RPMS for a few minutes Diesel: Diesel: 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 seconds to avoid damage to starter or running down battery Recheck gauges (especially oil) Warm up engine at RPMS for a few minutes

Mounting and Starting the Tractor Keep platform free of tools, equipment, mud, or other debris Keep platform free of tools, equipment, mud, or other debris Use handholds and steps Use handholds and steps Adjust seat and steering wheel Adjust seat and steering wheel Adjust and buckle seat belt Adjust and buckle seat belt Check major controls for the neutral position Check major controls for the neutral position

Shutting Down the Tractor Engine cool down for several minutes at fast idle ( RPM) Engine cool down for several minutes at fast idle ( RPM) Even if hydraulics were not used, work the hydraulics to relieve pressure 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 Stop and park on the most level ground possible. Set brakes and/or place gearshift in PARK Lower attached equipment to ground Lower attached equipment to ground Place all controls and switches in OFF, NEUTRAL, or LOCKED position Place all controls and switches in OFF, NEUTRAL, or LOCKED position Chock wheels if heavy load is attached Chock wheels if heavy load is attached

Moving and Steering the Tractor An expert tractor operator moves the tractor without stalling or jerking An expert tractor operator moves the tractor without stalling or jerking Know the gear-shift pattern of the tractor you are using 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. Wide turns on public roads will place the tractor and equipment into the opposite lane of traffic. This creates a hazard.

Operating the Tractor in Reverse Tips for backing up a tractor with an implement: Tips for backing up a tractor with an implement: Be sure seat controls are properly adjusted Be sure seat controls are properly adjusted Be sure all people, animals, and objects are clear of the tractor 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 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 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. 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 CG—Center of Gravity is a point where all parts of a physical object balance one another. 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 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 The CG moves around inside the baseline area as you operate the tractor Reasons the CG moves around: Reasons the CG moves around: 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 Movement Hazards Movement Hazards Pulling slowly onto roads with long and heavy loads Pulling slowly onto roads with long and heavy loads Slow tractor travel speeds Slow tractor travel speeds Left turns across traffic into narrow field lanes Left turns across traffic into narrow field lanes Swinging into the left lane to make a right turn into a field Swinging into the left lane to make a right turn into a field Wide machinery being transported Wide machinery being transported Potential for spilled loads Potential for spilled loads

General Practices for Tractors on Highways Time of day—avoid busy times. Moving loads after nightfall may be better timing, but light is a necessary consideration 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 Courtesy—watch others. Let high speed traffic go first Blind Spots—if possible avoid areas that pose visibility problems 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 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 Safe Equipment—be sure damaged equipment doesn’t create a road hazard

Lighting and Marking Headlights Headlights Two white lights mounted at the same level Two white lights mounted at the same level Taillights Taillights Two red lights mounted at the rear Two red lights mounted at the rear Hazard Flashers Hazard Flashers Two or more lamps with amber color to the front and red color to the rear Two or more lamps with amber color to the front and red color to the rear Turn Indicators Turn Indicators Two amber lamps to the front and two red colored lights to the rear mounted with flashers Two amber lamps to the front and two red colored lights to the rear mounted with flashers SMV Emblem SMV Emblem One visible at 600 feet mounted to the rear and 2-10 feet above the ground One visible at 600 feet mounted to the rear and 2-10 feet above the ground Reflectors Reflectors Two red reflectors (on rear outside corners) and two yellow reflectors (on the front outside corners) of the machine Two red reflectors (on rear outside corners) and two yellow reflectors (on the front outside corners) of the machine Conspicuity Material Conspicuity Material Red retro-reflective and red-orange fluorescent color visible to mark the rear. Yellow retro-reflective material to mark the front. Red retro-reflective and red-orange fluorescent color visible to mark the rear. Yellow retro-reflective material to mark the front.