Cymraeg

Machinery
Section 3 - Operating a Tractor With a Range of Mounted and Trailed Attachments

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Content

This section on operating a tractor with a range of mounted and trailed attachments will contain information on the following:

  • Session 1 - Attaching trailed and mounted equipment.
  • Session 2 - Warning signals and indicators.
  • Session 3 - Tractor driving with attachments including warning signals and indicators.
    • tractor with attachments in field

    Session 1
    Attaching Trailed and Mounted Equipment

    Attaching Trailed and Mounted Equipment and Machines

    There are three main ways to attach equipment or machines to a tractor:

  • Loader
  • Drawbar/pick-up hitch
  • Three point linkage
    • tractor with attachments in field

    Loader

    On many farms the loader stays on the tractor throughout the year, on other farms it may stay on over the winter months only.

  • In many cases, the initial attaching may be done by the loader/tractor dealer.
    • tractor with loader attachment in field

    Loader Checks

    Before operating the tractor and loader, ensure that all the pins are safe and appropriate for the loader, and that the hydraulic oil pipes are secure with no leaks or bulges.

  • Ensure that the bucket/grab or muck-fork is securely attached.
    • tracter with loader in field

    Drawbar and Pick-Up Hitch

    Observe the following points while hitching your tractor:

  • Make sure that the area is clear and no one is behind the tractor.
  • Back up slowly to the implement and apply the hand brake.
  • Put the tractor in neutral.
  • Dismount and hitch up.
    • tractor drawbar

    Drawbar

    The length of the drawbar can be adjusted:

  • Short for equipment with no pto connection.
  • Long for equipment with pto equipment.
    • tractor drawbar

    Pick Up Hitch

    Some pick up designs mean that you have to lean out of the rear of the cab to see the position of the hitch.

  • If this is the case it is much safer for you to have another person guiding you into position – if you lean too far out of the rear you will lose control of the clutch and brake pedals as you over stretch.
    • pickup hitch

    Pick Up Hitch

    With some other pick up designs, on lowering the pick up hitch the hitch moves out so greatly improves your view of it.

    Hitching Up Using a Pick Up Hitch

    You have to ensure that when you lift the hitch to attach an implement, you compensate for its forward motion.

  • Either moving the tractor forward slowly as you lift up the hitch or reversing just beyond the eye of the implement so when you lift the hitch it moves into the required position.
    • pickup hitch

    Three Point Attachment and PTO Attachment

    When attaching implements to the three point linkage ensure that the drawbar will not interfere with the operation of the implement.

  • It may be necessary to remove the drawbar.
  • Manoeuvre the tractor following the same steps as above.
  • Back up tractor so the lower links are in position for connecting to implement-hitch pins.
    • tractor with PTO attachment in field

    Procedure for Attaching a 3 Point Linkage Implement

    Step by step guide

  • Line up the left side linkage first.
  • Stop the tractor, put in neutral and put the hand and put on the hand brake, dismount and insert the lynch pin.
  • Attach the right side linkage which has adjustment for height by turning the crank.
  • Attach the top link to the implement mast.
  • Adjust tractor stabilisers as required.
  • Ensure pto shaft is secure.
  • Raise the implement with hydraulic control and ensure it clears the tractor at all points and that the connections are secure.

    • Session 2


    Warning Signals and Indicators

    Warning Signals and Indicators

    Which warning signals should you use?

  • Lights
  • Beacon on top of the cab
  • Horn
    • tractor beacon

    Lights

    When and how should lights be used?

  • Headlights – when travelling on the road to make others aware of your presence.
  • Hazard warning lights to warn others of hazard – wide load.
  • Beacon which required by law and placed on the tractor in a position where it can be seen from the front and rear.
    • lights from tractor in the dark

    When and How Should the Horn be Used?

  • When reversing.
  • When approaching a sharp/blind corner.
  • When going into or out of sheds/field gateways.
  • To warn others that you are approaching.
    • tractor on a road

    Session 3


    Tractor Driving With Attachments

    Tractor Driving With Attachments

    When carrying out tractor work with the implements attached, these attachments will change how the tractor responds.

    tractor on a road carrying attachment

    Implements

    Implements attached as loaders, trailed and mounted implements affect the way the tractor responds to the driver. These changes will affect the tractor and its:

  • Stability
  • Turning circle
  • Combination width and length
  • Visibility
  • Safe operating speed
    • tractor with front attachment carrying haybale. It looks in the way of the driver's view

    Stability

    Stability can be affected in ways that can cause the tractor to overturn, this could be to the side or over backwards.

  • It is possible to overturn a tractor easily without attachment by incorrect driving methods but attachments add another hazard to the driver.
    • tractor with rear attachment

    Causes of Instability

  • High speeds when turning
  • Turning up a slope sharply
  • Turning with the loader high in the air
    • tractor with front attachment carrying haybale. It looks in the way of the driver's view

    Causes of Instability

  • Turning with mounted implement without the use of stabilisers
  • Turning sharply with trailed implements will cause a jack-knifing action which in turn could cause the tractor to overturn
    • tractor with back attachment carrying heavy load of hay

    Causes of Instability

  • Travelling at high speeds with a trailed implement may cause fish-tailing (implement snakes back and fore behind the tractor).
  • Braking heavily down a hill with a trailed implement could also cause jack-knifing effect.
  • Driving at high speeds over ruts or over obstacles (stones).
    • black and white image of tractor on road with overturned attachment

    Turning Circle

    The turning circle is affected with a loader as the tractor is now longer, similarly with a trailed implement and mounted combination.

    tractor working field with attachment

    Allowances for Increased Length

    Allowances for increase in overall length must be made when negotiating around buildings, on the yard and turning through any field or farm entrance.

  • With all the above combination an exaggerated line may be necessary in order to negotiate the turn/entrance.
    • tractor with long attachment going through gate

    Travelling on the Road

    When travelling on the road the driver must be aware of the overall dimensions of the combination especially the width.

  • Many trailed and mounted implements have different ways of reducing the operating width for transportation and it is essential that the driver is aware of this and moves the implement in the transport mode before transportation.
    • tractor on road travelling towards camera

    Visibility

    The visibility from the driving seat can be affected by the attachment.

  • While travelling with an empty loader may not affect the visibility, having a big bale on a spike on the loader will. Be aware of blind spots caused by different loads.
    • tractor with haybale covering view

    Visibility

    With many mounted implements the implement will cause a restriction on visibility through the rear of the tractor e.g. grain or silage trailers, the driver may be completely unaware what is directly behind the combination.

  • Correct positioning of tractor side mirrors will greatly increase visibility to the sides of the implement.
    • tractor in field surrounded by dust

    Field Conditions and its Effect on the Tractor with an Implement

    There are however many different field conditions that will affect the safe use of the combination.

  • The method or position the implement is attached can affect the centre of gravity of the tractor and the traction (grip).
    • tractor on field

    Loader

    A laden loader will move the weight off the rear wheels of the tractor, reducing the traction of the rear wheels, this will also affect the braking ability.

  • To counteract this you can either have ballast or weight on the rear wheels, or a rear weight on the three - point linkage.
    • tractor with loader attached

    Heavy Implement

    Using a trailed or mounted implement will put more weight on the rear of the tractor and will make the front of the tractor lighter, reducing traction and steering ability.

  • This is counteracted by using weight or ballast on the front wheels or weights to the front of the tractor.
    • tractor with back load and ballast at front

    Ground Conditions

    Ground conditions, vary in different fields e.g. wet patches, ditches, slopes and obstacles, will have a great effect on safe efficient operation of the combinations.

  • Always look ahead for bumps, rocks, stumps, and other obstructions that could tip one side of your tractor up past its tipping point.
    • steep grassy slope

    Ground Conditions

    Also watch out for holes, ruts, and depressions which could drop one side down, putting your tractor in an unstable position.

  • The stability would be affected much more on slopes.
    • field with holes and rut

    Driving on uneven ground

    diagram of tractor driving at an angle, with depression labelled to the left and obstruction towards the right.

    Driving on Slopes

    Driving on slopes is one hazard which causes many serious tractor accidents (overturns).

  • Slopes are not confined to hilly or mountainous regions.
  • Accidents happen just as easily on or near ramps, ditches, banks, drains, potholes or any uneven ground. Accidents frequently happen on slopes of less than 10 degrees.
    • grassy slope

    Slope Risks

    The four main risks are:

  • Loss of control (which in turn can lead to)
  • Runaway
  • Jack-knifing
  • Overturn
    • a sheep on a grassy slope

    Why are Slopes Dangerous?

    Control loss occurs when wheels lose traction rendering the brakes and steering ineffective. e.g.

  • a) braking on wet grassy surface cause the wheels lock and the tractor skids;
  • b) changing gear going up a slope causes a loss of power and momentum and create a back slide; going over uneven ground causes one or more wheels to lose contact with the ground and power transmission is lost through the spinning wheel.

    • Jack-knifing

    Jack-knifing happens when a trailer or trailed implement pushes into the tractor and slews the tractor round.

  • Severe braking when turning can have the same effect.
  • A jack-knifing can happen with a gradient of as little as 5 or 6 degrees.
  • This risk is increased by poor ground conditions, heavy loading and poor wheel grip.
    • black and white image of jack-knifing

    Overturns

    Overturns are the single most important cause of injuries and death on slopes. You can overturn in three ways:

  • Sideways where you drive across a slope or try to turn down a slope
  • Forwards when using a heavy load on the loader with the loader up
  • Backwards where the tractor is attached to rear-mounted spreaders and sprayers

    • An overturn can happen very quickly; at 2 mph a tractor can rear up within 1 second which may not give you any time to prevent it.

    Points to Consider When Driving on Slopes

    The gradient.

    The steeper the slope, the greater the danger. A tractor may go up a 18 degree slope safely but not come down it. Slopes of less than 10 degrees can cause accidents.

    The surface.

    Grass, heather, earth, loose stones, track, road, mud., all affect how well a tractor can deal with the slope. A change in vegetation may halve the grip.

    Ground conditions.

    A slope which is safe during dry conditions may become unsafe if it is wet, waterlogged, frozen, thawing, etc.

    Points to Consider When Driving on Slopes

    Weather conditions.

    The change in weather also affects the safety of the slope especially if it is raining, misty or windy.

    Uneven ground.

    Steer clear of ruts, potholes, depressions, rock outcrops and animal tracks.

    Major obstacles.

    Take care near gateways, ditches, banks and drains.

    Hidden obstacles.

    Look out for rabbit holes, mole hills, rocks, tree stumps – which may be hidden in vegetation.

    a sheep on a grassy slope

    Emergency Procedure if the Tractor Loses Traction Down the Slope

    If you lose control:

  • Don’t panic
  • Steer in a straight line down the hill
  • Don’t turn across the slope
  • Don’t apply the brakes hard
  • Don’t jump out of the cab
  • Hold on to the steering
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