Every year farm and utility tractors designed for agricultural or residential tasks head out to the woods to provide transportation needs and power for jobs in the forest.  All too often, they or their operator fail to return in the same condition.  Job safety depends on a number of variables – having the right tool for the job, training and experience, good judgment, and weather conditions just to name a few.  If you or someone you know is occasionally involved in woodland activities involving the use of a tractor, we urge you to take a few hours of your time familiarizing yourself with the basics of tractor safety.

A good place to start is the operators manual for your tractor which contains a wealth of important information, safety tips, and warnings.  Even better, attend a tractor safety program designed to address the dangers of operating a tractor in the woodland environment.  Agricultural Health and Rural Safety is one of Penn State Extension’s Program Priority Initiatives and our Renewable Natural Resources Extension Educators have teamed with our DCNR Bureau of Forestry counterparts to bring you a free 4 hour tractor safety program addressing the dangers faced by those who venture into the woods.

“Tractors in the Woods – Things you need to know” will be offered on Saturday, June 15^th from 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. at the PA Bureau of Forestry District 8 Office, 158 South Second Avenue, Clarion, PA  16214

Our lead instructor will be Mr. William C. (Bill) Harshman, Research Assistant for the Penn State Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department’s Ag Safety and Health Program.  Bill has a long history of teaching tractor and machinery safety and is certain to challenge some of your understanding of safe operating procedures.  The first half of the program will be classroom presentations and will be followed by an opportunity to participate in hands-on safety activities and demonstrations including the Penn State Power Take Off (PTO) Reaction Time Simulator and the Tractor Stability Simulator – a full size mock-up that will allow you to climb into the cab and test your ability to estimate different slopes and the dangers they represent to the operator.  Pre-registration is requested no later than June 10^th to allow for adequate hand out materials and can be done by calling 724 -662 – 3141 mailbox # 304