A Beginner’s Guide to Safely Operating a Tractor

If you need to make farm work easier, faster, and more efficient, investing in a tractor is a very smart move. These reliable pieces of farm equipment have assisted farmers with various tasks for over a century. Considering their reputation as being reliable workhorses, it’s easy to take your tractor’s functioning for granted. However, there are some precautions that you should take to get the most out of these machines.

Here at Central Arkansas Mahindra, we know how vital tractors are to a farming operation, so we’ve provided this short guide to help you operate your tractor safely and efficiently. When you’re ready to check out our wide selection of farm tractors for sale in Arkansas, call us or visit our dealership. We are conveniently located in Little Rock and we proudly serve all those in Sherwood.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Every time you get ready to work with your tractor, it’s wise to walk around it to perform a quick visual inspection of all its major parts. Trying to operate a tractor that has loose hose connections or that’s leaking fluids could result in you having to tow a tractor out of your field. Tighten hoses and connections and check the glass sediment bowl under your fuel filter. Water or material that’s collected there could indicate that your fuel, engine, or fuel filter are problematic.

Gear Up, Throttle Down

Gear up, throttle down (GUTD) is the idea that a tractor engine achieves the best ratio of work-to-fuel usage when operated under maximum or near-maximum load. Most tractor applications don’t need to max out their horsepower, and operators can save fuel by shifting to a higher gear and slowing the engine RPMs while maintaining the desired speed.

If what you’re doing needs less than 70% of your tractor’s power, then consider GUTD. Refer to your owner’s manual for specifics. If you’re not too tech-savvy, you’re always welcome to get in touch with the experts here at Central Arkansas Mahindra for any help or advice.

Perform a quick test to get the best settings. Operate for a short time at your desired speed and throttle setting, then quickly open the throttle. If the engine readily speeds up, it means that the settings are suitable. If the engine is unresponsive, you should shift down a gear or increase the engine speed. Perform the check again if required to get the optimal settings. Remember that operating in GUTD reduces the tractor PTO speed and hydraulic reaction time.

Weight Distribution

While tractors are extremely powerful, it’s still possible to over-exert your tractor by exceeding its maximum weight capacity. Operating over-ballast is going to put undue stress on the drivetrain, which can lead to decreased engine reliability and loss of rollover protection.

Check the owner’s manual for your tractor to find its maximum working weight. Chances are good that most of the work you’ll be doing isn’t going to push that limit, but it’s an important reference point to keep in mind.

You’ll also want to note the total ballasted weight of your tractor. Optimal weight distribution can improve performance and even reduce operating costs while keeping wear and tear to a minimum.

Follow the Best Safety Practices

When you’re working with heavy farm equipment, it’s essential to take proper safety precautions. It’s easy for someone to become complacent and think that they’re immune to accidents, but you can’t afford to take any chances.

The best way to avoid mishaps with your tractor is to ensure that the correct safety guards are in place. You should also be aware that your tractor is built for heavy-duty applications, so that’s all you should be using it for. You should not allow additional riders on your unit as there’s not enough room for safe operation with extra people inside the cab.

Another key tip is to be sure you’re wearing the appropriate clothing and safety gear. You should wear well-fitting clothes that aren’t fraying so they don’t get caught in the moving parts. You’ll also want to invest in durable footwear so you can maintain your balance. Don’t forget that hearing protection is crucial, so grab those earplugs or earmuffs before you head out for a day of work.

Proactive Maintenance

Fields and farms are full of extra particulates that can cause serious damage if they get past the filter or clog it. To run optimally, your tractor needs proper air filtration. To help with both fuel economy and performance, you can try to install a dirt-restriction gauge that lets you know when you need to change your air filter.

Your tractor’s cooling system also needs to be taken care of to enhance the performance. The manufacturer or your dealer usually sells affordable testing kits that make it easy to test and optimize engine coolant. Remember that the antifreeze you use for diesel is different from the one you’d use on your car or truck.

We hope that these tips will help you get better performance out of your tractor. If you still have questions, or you’re just interested in checking out our wide selection of tractors for sale, head over to Central Arkansas Mahindra. You’ll find us in Little Rock, AR, and we welcome all our patrons visiting us from Conway and Hot Springs.