Is lack of training killing tractor operators?

[plowhog]

I am fairly new to tractors. I appreciate how dangerous they can be. "Tractor Jim" just posted about pushing tree limbs with his tractor, and how one acted like a "bow" and snapped back against his forehead-- almost killing him. There are many stories like that.

Before tractors, I flew airplanes. In 1,500 hours of flight time, I've landed airplanes in most of the 48 continental states, and the Arctic Circle. Compared to airplanes, it seems tractors are equally dangerous. Whether it is buckets or branches, a brush hog throwing rocks, slopes, or a spinning PTO shaft, there is much to go wrong.

A *huge* difference is operator training. On delivery of my first SCUT tractor, the dealer showed me each control and described what it was for. Then thank you and goodbye. It was only later, when reading the manual, that I learned not to make quick turns with a loaded bucket high up in the air. I only learned that tip after I had been out operating my new tractor. Maybe that seems obvious to the experienced operators, but it wasn't obvious to a newbie. After all, I had a shiny new big heavy powerful tractor, right?

To compare, I had 35 hours of flying with an instructor before being allowed to "solo" an airplane. Then a required 200 hours of pilot-in-command flight time before I could even attempt an instrument rating. Then another forty hours training to receive the instrument rating. With FAA checkrides to pass or fail at each step. With a heavy emphasis on safety of operation and risk management.

Recently I bought my Massey 1758 cab model with grapple, etc. On delivery, the dealer showed me each control and explained what it was for. Then thank you and goodbye.

I'm surprised by the difference in safety training. With airplanes, a lot is required, with tractors, none. I presume that is responsible for some number of injuries and death. I'm not an advocate for government regulation, but as a newcomer it does seems this is a woefully lacking part of the industry.

 

[jeff9366]

Most of the tractors discussed here are "residential" tractors, used in yards and small acreage generally contiguous to residences. There are fairly regular posts saying average residential tractor engine hours are around eighty per year. I have no ideal of what the average or median tractor weight is for residential tractors discussed here.

With an average of eighty engine hours per year, how many would be willing to pay for inconvenient off-site tractor training? With big tractor volume now in the <25-horsepower category, at what point is training practical? With "practice" of eighty engine hours per year, how much training imparted knowledge would be retained?

Dealers occasionally comment that when they make $1,000 gross on a residential tractor sale, they are happy. It seems gross profits are often around $600 per unit. Slim pickings.

Seat-of-the-pants feel for tractor stability is important. I doubt that can be taught.

What preserves us is a practical top speed of 15 miles per hour and a max altitude of zero.



Perhaps new tractor buyers should be required to write on a blackboard ten times:

Definition of PRUDENCE:

1 :the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason
2 :sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs
3 :skill and good judgment in the use of resources
4 :caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

 

[s219]

To me it comes down to understanding the physics of how the machine works, whether it's because you know physics or because you were taught the physics. I am a mechanical/aerospace engineer, so I know airplanes pretty well. Every pilot I have ever met, regardless of their background or formal education, thoroughly understands the physics of how airplanes fly, basic aerodynamics, stability and control, etc. I know a dentist with pilot training who can't tell you the first thing about fixing his car but is extremely well versed in the physics of flight. Obviously pilot training does a very good job of thoroughly teaching the pilot how their machine works, how it can fail, what to do when things fail, etc.

With tractors, there isn't formal training, so you either have a keen feel for the physics, or you don't. When you don't, you end up learning from experience. I know that after many years of tractor ownership, some stuff is obvious, and some I learn the hard way. I have always been conscious about weight distribution on hills, keeping the bucket low, etc, yet the only time I came close to a tip-over was when operating on flat ground and one of the rear wheels dropped into a soft spot. I've always been conscious that my tractor only had brakes on the rear wheels, yet I still got into a situation where a heavy load in the bucket and some wet grass made me realize I needed to engage 4WD *NOW* to get any hope of braking control.

I suspect that for most of us, we learn as we go. It seems obvious after the fact. If that experience can be shared with others, like we do here on TBN, it will surely help speed the learning curve for others. Hopefully you don't get injured or killed along the way. Nature/physics can be cruel.

 

[M5farms]

Common sense is what lacking, so many people today cant figure out how to routine things without a Manual or youtube video. Tractor accidents happen to people that have 1000's of hours in the seat most of the problems are from too many things going on at one time and needing to be thru with this job and on to another.

 

[Citydude]

coming from a mining background where training was paramount on heavy equipment, the incident/accident rate was higher for employees with 10 years or more experience. Complacency, inattention and running the equipment outside it's designed parameters were the most common factors.

 

[mljenkins]

I think the same applies for other farm vehicles such as ATVs, UTVs, and the like. A lot of people if they didn’t live on a farm their parents or someone close to them did, so they learned things from word of mouth. I recall my dad telling me stories of people rolling their tractors off steep large hills and watching the tractor to roll to the bottom, sometimes resulting in the death of someone he knew.

For others that are new, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of obvious training available when you purchase a tractor. I’ve seen people do some crazy things, and wonder if they had been told not to. Accidents like rollover, getting whacked in the face, backing into something, etc. happen and are just that, accidents that even happen to experienced operators. But you can definitely reduce your chances of those things occurring had you had some sort of formal or informal training.

For me I have learned over the years through forums just like here, as well as YouTube videos and websites. I started with two horses 16 years ago that my parents bought without much thought and it was a miracle I didn’t get killed by them. Though others online and local groups (and the help of some sexy lady that had pitty on me and married me later) I learned how to be safe. Then obviously came tractors to care for our property, and I spoke to neighbors, my dad, and others in horse groups to gain safety knowledge. However, a good portion of all my farm knowledge has come from online. Even the extension service websites have good safety information they publish online and in bulletins.

For people that don’t take an initiative and just jump on and go, I suppose it’s not much difference than those that do the same with other tools and vehicles that don’t require a license. Cars, trains, trucks, busses, airplanes all operate in areas where others could get hurt. When it comes to being on your own property, I suppose your life is in your own hands.

I do think that manufacturers and/or dealers could do a better job pointing people in the direction of public information and just have a disclaimer they are not responsible for it.

My hats off to the countless forum posters and YouTube content makers for all the information that is out there that has probably saved my life at some point over the past 16 years

Matt

 

[MossRoad]

Think about how much safety training occurs with cars..... In Indiana, you CAN take drivers Ed, but you aren't required to. So most people don't.

 

[frugalangler]

Think about how much safety training occurs with cars..... In Indiana, you CAN take drivers Ed, but you aren't required to. So most people don't.

This occurs with watercraft also, even to the extent that with a tractor, the dealer is on tera-firma and can safely demonstrate what each control does, in a boat it's a little more difficult, and people seem to forget there is NO brake pedal and steering is non-existent when you remove throttle, but if you got the $$ you can be a boat driver................

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, weekend at the lake... the peace, the quiet.... the jet skis!

 

[tomplum]

The OP has a valid point. Most new tractor operators learn by the seat of their pants. Question about how to run an attachment? The first place I'd look is the youtube, then at least I would know what questions to ask the dealer or a neighbor. It seems , maybe on Tractor Mike he featured a tractor safety day put on by an extension office or dealer for that matter. It would be good PR to do a couple of field days a year to show the Schmo family the features of their compact line, capabilities of a couple of models coupled with some common sense safety training. They would sell more tractors by building confidence and knowledge in their entry level clients. These people are more likely to accomplish more after buying the proper tractor , thus buying more attachments. Build the base. I would want a customer who asks questions. I would also think a customer with better knowledge of the tractor is a safer customer.