posted
on Friday, October 14, 2022
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Ag-Pro Companies News
Harvest season has begun! That means lots of long days (and nights!) in the field. While this time of year leaves the farming community with a feeling of satisfaction, there are plenty of feelings of exhaustion along the way as well.
One thing that can make harvest season go a lot more smoothly is a commitment to safety throughout.
Keep reading for some important, simple tips to help keep you and others safe this harvest season.
1. Stay Alert When Moving Equipment
Whether you’ve been farming since you were young or it’s your first day on the job, it’s imperative to stay alert to your surroundings when moving equipment.
This can be especially true for larger tractors, like the John Deere 8 Series or combines, where visibility may be more of an issue. Check, then double-check, for any people near you (especially children) to prevent accidents.
2. Utilize Proper Lighting and Markings
When moving large equipment down the road, the use of proper lighting and markings is incredibly important, especially at night.
Ensuring your equipment utilizes an appropriate lighting package and that all the bulbs are in working order can help you see obstacles in a dark field as well, possibly preventing down time or even injury.
3. Check In With Yourself
We get it - there’s a relatively short window of time to take care of everything that needs to be done on the farm during harvest season. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a John Deere S770 or in the office knocking out paperwork, that to-do list can feel like it’s never ending.
It’s during this time that it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your body and prevent fatigue. Working yourself until you’re overtired can actually cost you time in the long run, not to mention potentially money or, even worse, your own health or someone else's.
4. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
The time to prepare for emergencies is before they happen. Keeping a small fire extinguisher readily available near equipment that’s working long hours in a dry field is always wise.
5. Be Respectful of Oversized Traffic
Most people in the farming community are already well aware of the importance of this tip, but it can’t be overstated, especially for any readers who may not have grown up around farming.
Large John Deere equipment is the size it is because it has a big job to do. The operator behind said equipment has no control over the size of the road or how curvy it may be. Other vehicles must slow down and give deference to oversized/slow-moving traffic during harvest season and, for that matter, year-round.
The driver behind that John Deere 9R has loved ones to get home to. So do you. No matter how late you may feel, there’s never a good reason to get in such a hurry that you cause an accident.
Harvest season is an exciting time, and at Ag-Pro, we’re grateful for all the farmers and farming families that make it happen.
We’re proud to offer 36 locations across Ohio and Kentucky. Come see us at the location nearest you for all your John Deere equipment, parts and service needs.