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Chapter 6 — Tractor Hitches, PTO and Hydraulics


Objectives

Youth will:

  • be able to explain the different types of tractor hitches and the proper usage as related to safety.
  • increase their knowledge of hydraulic systems.
  • identify safety precautions when working with PTO-driven implements.
  • experience the procedures for safely attaching a PTO-driven implement to a tractor.
  • develop skills in communicating with hand signals.

Resource Materials

Safe Operation of Agricultural Equipment, student manual
Tractor operator's manual
Tractor for demonstration
Implement with PTO
Examples of PTO shields
 

Video Resources

"Tractor Hitches, PTO and Hydraulics", Agricultural Equipment Operator Safety Series, Iowa State University Extension Service
Driveline Safety...and You!, Agricultural Driveline Manufacturers' Association
 

Activity Ideas

  1. Demonstrate the proper procedures for hitching a PTO-driven implement to a tractor. Discuss the differences in safety shields. Using a paper coverall stuffed with newspaper, demonstrate how a PTO draws and wraps objects around it. Calculate the rotation and linear speed of the PTO. Compare to human reaction times.
  2. Invite someone to the class who was injured from a PTO entanglement.
  3. Demonstrate the proper procedures of hitching and unhitching implements to tractors. Include how to use the jack, safety chains and other safety features. Discuss the difference in hitch pins and the necessity of a safety clip.
  4. Discuss hydraulic systems and related safety precautions. Topics to cover include: never checking for leaks with your hand, never getting beneath a hydraulically supported implement, correctly blocking a hydraulically-raised implement and how to clean hose connectors.
  5. Discuss the importance of hand signals for communicating around machinery. Have the class develop the hand signals that will be used for the driving course. Standard hand signals may be used as shown in the student manual.
     

Checksheet Answers

    Answer true or false.

  1. False (page 61)
  2. True (page 62)
  3. True (page 62)
  4. True (page 59)
  5. False (page 59)

    Answer the following by placing the letter of the correct answer in the blank.

  6. C (page )
  7. D (page 58-59)
  8. B (page 63)
  9. C (page 61-63)
  10. D (page 57-58)