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Healthy respect for PTO can prevent farm injuries
The figure on the warning label is cartoonish in its contortion. But becoming entangled in a tractor’s power take-off can turn serious before anyone has time to react.
That’s why a few commonsense safety checks are in order before using equipment powered by a power take-off, or PTO.
"There’s a reason all this equipment has guards, shields and warning labels on it," said Jimmy Maass, safety coordinator for Virginia Farm Bureau. "And the time to think about not getting entangled is before you ever start the equipment up.
"The only sure way to prevent being injured is to avoid all contact with moving parts."
The PTO transfers power from a tractor to implements such as mowers, post hole diggers, grain augers, manure spreaders, sprayers and feed grinders. The grabbing action of a turning shaft or universal joints can result in broken bones, severed limbs and more severe injuries.
Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon, Mr. Maass said, for guards to get removed for machine maintenance and then never replaced. "That safety feature can’t help you any if you’re in the field and it’s sitting in the shop."
Broken or missing safety features should be replaced before farm equipment gets used, and manufacturers have made considerable improvements to older safety guards. Talk with your dealer for specific information on what’s available.
Contributed by the Virginia Farm Bureau.
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