Ask the Mechanic

Safety Tip of the Month October 2024

Take the time to set the safety stop (left). The farmer (right) took the time to engage the safety stop on his hay cutter before working on the equipment. (Steve Thompson)
Take the time to set the safety stop (left). The farmer (right) took the time to engage the safety stop on his hay cutter before working on the equipment. (Steve Thompson)

Steve Thompson, Contributor

Be very careful not to work under an implement, no matter how big of a hurry you are in to handle the crop. Hydraulic systems can fail internally and externally, instantly dropping the load. Take the time to set the safety stop (see inset left photo accompanying this article) on the implement. If it's inoperable, put jack stands, blocks of wood or whatever you can find to catch the load if it were to fall. The farmer (in the inset right photo) is in a hurry to get his hay cut, but he took the time to engage the safety stop on his hay cutter. One hydraulic hose failure can change a life. The farmer working on this cutter went home safely -- standing up, with his hay down. He set the safety latch on the cylinder at the back of the machine.

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-- Email Steve Thompson at mechanic@progressivefarmer.com, and be sure to include your contact information and phone number.

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