Tuesdays, beginning April 30, 2013
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Maine Forest Service, Gray, ME
Cost/student: $20.00
Mail in registration: 2013 enrollment form Cumberland County (Word)
Mail in registration: 2013 enrollment form Cumberland County (PDF)
Farm work can be dangerous, but a University of Maine Cooperative Extension tractor safety course will help reduce risks to Maine farmers and farm workers. A farm tractor safety course will be held on 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings starting April 30, 2013 at the Maine Forest Service Building on Route 26 (356 Shaker Road) in Gray.
“Many of the accidents on farms involve tractors and farm machinery,” says Richard Brzozowski of the UMaine Extension Cumberland County office. “Every farm worker needs to develop good skills and a good safety attitude. This course helps them do just that.”
Individuals will receive practical training in the classroom, in the shop, and on tractors. Participants should be at least 13 years of age to participate in this certified course. Adults are welcome to participate in the practical course.
The course is co-sponsored by Cooperative Extension, Hall Implement Co., Wescott & Sons, Hammond Tractor Co., Chad Little Outdoor Power Equipment, Anderson Equipment Co., Beauregard Equipment Inc., Tractor Supply Co., and Maine Farm Bureau — Cumberland County Chapter.
Course Schedule
Session #1: 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Tuesday, April 30, 2013 – Maine Forest Service, Route 26, in Gray
Registration and introduction to the course
Requirements of the course
All assignments must be completed and submitted
Ten hours of practice driving – An adult must sign off for driving hours logged
Successfully pass the final written exam
Successfully complete the tractor hook up and driving exams
Read the following task sheets before Session 1:
1.1 The Work Environment
1.2 Safety & Health Regulations
1.2.1 Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture
2.1 Injuries Involving Youth
2.4 Age-Appropriate Tasks
2.7 Personal Dress
2.8 Hazard Warning Signs
2.9 Hand Signals
2.10 Personal Protective Equipment
2.11 First Aid and Rescue
4.1 Agricultural Tractors
4.2 Tractor Hazards
4.3 NAGCAT Tractor Operation Chart
5.1 Connecting Implements to the Tractor
Session #2: 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Tuesday, May 7, 2013 – Meet at Hall Implement in Windham (Foster’s Corner near the rotary of Routes 302 / 202)
safety check of farm equipment exercise
tractor controls and parts identification exercise
Read the following task sheets before Session 2:
4.4 Tractor Instrument Panel
4.5 Tractor Controls
4.5.1 Engine Stop Controls
4.5.2 Ground Motion Controls
4.5.3 Power Engagement Controls
4.5.4 Position and Adjusting Controls
4.5.5 Location and Movement of Tractor Controls
4.5.6 Tractor Operation Symbols
4.6 Preventative Maintenance and Pre-operational Check
4.6.1 Fuel, Oil and Coolant Levels
Session #3: 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Tuesday, May 14, 2013 – Maine Forest Service Building
Read the following task sheets before Session 3:
3.1 Mechanic Hazards
3.4 Working with Livestock
3.5 Agricultural Pesticides
3.6 Electrical Hazards
3.8 Confined Spaces
3.9 Silos
3.10 Grain Bins
3.11 Manure Storage
3.12 Anhydrous Ammonia
3.13 Farmstead Chemicals
4.7 Starting and Stopping Diesel and Gasoline Tractors
4.8 Mounting and Starting the Tractor
4.9 Stopping and Dismounting the Tractor
4.10 Moving and Steering the Tractor
4.11 Operating the Tractor in Reverse
Session #4: 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Tuesday, May 21, 2013 – Maine Forest Service Building
Practice driving
Safety Video
Review for final exam
Read the following task sheets before Session 4:
4.12 Tractor Stability
4.13 Using the Tractor Safely
4.14 Operating the Tractor on Public Roads
4.14.1 Lighting and Marking
5.1 Connecting Implements to the Tractor
5.2 Using Drawbar Implements
5.3 Using Three-Point Hitch Implements
5.4 Making Power Take Off (PTO) Connections
5.4.1 Using Power Take Off (PTO) Implements
5.5 Using Implements with Hydraulic Components
5.6 Using Implements with Electrical Components
Session #5: 5:30 – 8:00 PM, Tuesday, May 28, 2013 – Driving Test and Written Final Exam
Tentatively scheduled for Windham Public Works, 185 Windham Center Road, Windham
To enroll
For more information call 1.800.287.1471 (in Maine) or andrea.herr@maine.edu. Registration is required, and space is limited.
Image Description: youth driving a tractor