Five Strategies for Safer Roading of Farm Equipment

In many areas, ag equipment like tractors, combines, and grain carts will soon take to the road for harvest. Farm equipment is large and slow-moving, especially compared to other vehicle traffic, and poses some unique challenges when operating on the road. Luckily, there are steps farmers can take to reduce the risk of accidents, protect their equipment, and ensure the safety of operators.

Below are some best practices for safely roading ag equipment—whether you’re driving a harvester in fall or pulling a planter in spring.

Best Practices for Safer Winter Ag Tire Inspection 

In order to ensure everything is ready to roll in the spring, it’s common to inspect the tires of tractors, implements, and other farm equipment in the winter. Farms are filled with potential hazards and winter only ups the ante of something going sideways. Factors like short dark days, bitter cold, slick snow, and treacherous ice all pose additional challenges to farmers, tire dealers, and other ag tire personnel. 

Ben Franklin famously said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Follow his sage advice and take a few simple steps to improve your safety while working or visiting the farm this winter.  

OTR Tire Safety Advice From Salespeople, Field Engineers, and Technicians  

OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians face unique challenges when selling and servicing tires—whether it’s massive equipment, complex environments, or less-than-ideal conditions. The best OTR personnel understand the importance of prioritizing safety: it helps them protect themselves from potential injury and their customers from running afoul of regulations. Training is at the foundation of safe service calls and is a proven way to teach about potential site hazards and instill good practices.

Experience also plays a significant role in site safety, which is why we reached out to some of the Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America team in the field to get their best tips for staying safe while working in the field.

Five Construction Tire Best Practices for Safer Sites   

Tires are one of the unsung heroes of a construction site—they often travel at high speeds, carry heavy loads, work non-stop, and operate in challenging terrain. By establishing a few simple tire safety best practices, construction business owners and fleet managers can take a significant step toward improving the safety of their operators and equipment.

How OTR Tire Personnel Can Safely Inspect and Service Tires  

Selling and servicing OTR tires presents some unique risks to personnel in the field. From the massive size and weight of mining and construction equipment to the unfavorable conditions they tend to operate in—often at night and in all types of weather—OTR salespeople, field service engineers, and technicians commonly face a complex environment with numerous potential hazards.

Prioritizing safety and following a few best practices when inspecting tires in the field are simple steps toward preventing mishaps and ensuring everyone returns home safe and sound at the end of the day.