Tractor Operations and Safety Quiz

Agricultural Tractor

• Agricultural tractors are self-propelled, wheeled vehicles with two axles.
• They are designed to carry, pull, or propel agricultural implements and machines.
• They deliver high tractive effort (torque) at slow speeds.
• They are versatile mobile power sources for various agricultural tasks.
• Tractors can perform both stationary and mobile jobs.
• They pull or tow implements via drive wheels or drawbar hitch, or PTO drive.

Definition of Tractor

• A self-propelled, wheeled vehicle with two axles, designed to carry, pull, or propel agricultural implements and machines.
• A specialized engineering vehicle for delivering high tractive effort for agricultural tasks at low speeds, including hauling trailers and machinery.
• A versatile and mobile power source for diverse agricultural operations.

Functions of Tractors

• Pulling implements behind the tractor
• Pushing implements in front of the tractor
• Operating implements mounted on the tractor
• Power transmission via PTO drive
• Hydraulic power for raising/lowering/controlling attachments
• Belt power for driving implements
• Power transmission through a flexible shaft

Tractor Classification

• Two-Wheel Drive: Power transmitted only to the rear wheels. Front wheels are pushed along.
• Four-Wheel Drive: Power transmitted to all four wheels for better traction.

Types of Steering

• Front-Wheel Steering: Common automotive-style steering for row crops, field work, and road travel.
• Coordinated Steering: Electronic coordination between front and rear wheels for sharp turns and maneuverability.
• Crab Steering: Counteracts drift on side hills, optimizing implement overlap and control. Provides maximum traction on uneven ground (especially for four-wheel tractors).
• Rear-Wheel Steering: Allows for greater maneuverability around yards and buildings, plus fine-tuning of implement hookups.

Description of Agricultural Tractors

• Compact Tractor: Four-wheel tractor with less than 20 horsepower, primarily for landscaping and smaller gardening tasks, capable of plowing 1 hectare in 11-14 hours.
• Farm Tractor: Four-wheel tractor with 20 or more horsepower, suitable for large-scale agricultural operations such as plowing, harrowing, seeding, planting, etc.

Special Type Tractors

• Tract-Type Tractor: Heavy-duty, endless track-type tractors used for heavy-duty operations like earthmoving and industrial jobs demanding high power.
• All-Purpose/Row Crop Tractor: Designed for field and belt jobs, including planting and inter-tillage.

Orchard Tractor

• Small and medium-sized tractor, optimized for operation in orchard settings with minimal projecting parts and protection features, such as fenders.

Industrial Tractor

• Various sizes designed for heavy industrial work such as heavy hauling, hoisting, excavating, or power-loading.

Basic Parts of a Four-Wheel Tractor

• Canopy
• Roll-over protection system (ROPS)
• Signal lights
• Driver's seat
• Rear wheel
• Implement
• Steering wheel
• Hood
• Headlight
• Ballast
• Front wheel

Other Tractor Parts

• Muffler
• Engine
• Driver's seat
• Foot throttle
• Rear wheel
• Front wheel
• Ballast
• Hood
• PTO shaft
• Three-point hitch system
• Signal light indicators
• Stoplight indicators
• Roll-on protection

Tractor Controls

• Light switch
• Horn switch
• Hand throttle
• Steering wheel
• Brake pedals
• Foot throttle
• Key switch
• Turn signal/hazard switch
• Clutch pedal
• Forward/reverse lever
• Handbrake lever

Instrument Panel

• Air restriction sensor
• Hour meter
• Engine oil pressure indicator
• Coolant temperature gauge
• Turn signal direction indicators
• Tachometer
• High-beam indicator
• Fuel gauge
• Battery charge indicator

Pre-Start Safety Check

• Check (and maintain) tires, brake lights, oil, water levels, and battery terminals.
• Check for loose parts or damage to the tractor's equipment.
• Inspect linkages, drawbar, and oil/fuel/water leaks.
• Check the implement.
• Test the clutch.
• Inspect cooling systems.

Cooling System

• Inspect radiator, coolant tank, cooling fins, fans and ducts.

Battery

• Check and maintain battery terminals for cleanliness and tightness

Air cleaner

• Regularly clean (dry or oil-bath type).

Drawbar and three-point linkage

• Check for security issues.
• Inspect tires for cracks, tears, and uneven wear or embedded objects.

Tractor Safety

• PTO Shield: Keep clothing or other items from becoming entangled in the PTO shaft.
• ROPS (Roll-Over Protection Structure): Protects the operator during overturns. The seatbelt is an important component.
• Clutch Safety: Prevents engaging the starter until the clutch is fully depressed. Make sure all levers are in neutral for safety.
• Implement Position: Keep implements as low as possible to prevent rollovers or accidents. Utilize ballast/counterweights for stability.

Tractor Attachment/Removal

• Drawbar and Implementing: Adjust drawbar and implement, position tractor for alignment Ensure engine is off and in parking brake position. Place draw bar pin through the holes and secure it.
• PTO Shaft: Make sure the parking brake is on, disengage the PTO drive, put tractor in neutral/park, attach implement, connect the cross joint and powershaft.

Power Transmission

• Transmission components transfer engine power to wheels and the PTO shaft. Speed and torque are adjusted by these components, to meet the needs of the implement.

PTO Shaft Standards

• Speeds (RPM): 540 and 1000 rpm specifications are common, with differing spline shaft diameters matching.

Check the Coupling

• Carefully verify the number of spline on the shafts (6 or 21) to ensure compatibility.

Check the Powershaft and Spring-Loaded Lock

• Fully extend the powershaft.
• Check the shaft for proper compression.
• Align the two powershaft halves.

Three-Point Linkage

• Use the provided images & captions to learn how to attach and detach the implement components.

Additional Readings

• PAES 104 (Type, Location, and Operation of Controls for Agricultural Tractors)
• PAES 118 (Specification of four-wheel tractors)
• PAES 119 (Method of test of four-wheel tractors)

Tractor Brand and Make

• Provides a list of various tractor brands and makes.

Tractor Terminologies

• Detailed definitions of various tractor features and components.
• Definitions for Drawbar, Drawbar Power, PTO shaft, PTO output power, Roll-over Protective Structure (ROPS), and Three-Point Linkage.

Tractor Size Determination

• Tractor size is determined based on its weight, horsepower, and implement capacity.
• Method for calculating the needed size is included (using unit draft). Values of unit draft for different soils are in an included table.

Specific Implement Resistance

• This table and descriptions help to determine the required horse-power.

Tractor Power

• Power is delivered via traction of drive wheels and drawbar.
• Rotary power is supplied via a PTO shaft or pulley.
• Implements may require hydraulic, electric, or other power sources.

Power Performance

• Technical details concerning drawbar, PTO, and axle power. Values are in given ranges related to engine power, transmission power, etc.

Power Train of a Wheel-Drive Tractor

• Diagram that depicts the power transmission pathway within a wheel drive tractor.

Tractor Controls of Four-Wheel Tractor

• Illustration and description of several tractor controls.

Tractor Control

• A schematic diagram of the controls and functions for the tractor.

Test your knowledge on the essential operations, parts, and safety checks related to tractor use. This quiz covers everything from the primary functions of an orchard tractor to pre-start safety checks and equipment terminology. Perfect for students and operators looking to enhance their understanding of tractors.