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Before lifting fertiliser bags, drivers should inspect any lifting hoops to ensure they are in good condition.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
It might also mean farmers are considering applying some fertiliser to stimulate a little late-season growth.
Farm Without Harm has recently released a safety alert and advice on the safe handling of fertiliser bags.
The safety advice centres around a recent nearmiss that occurred when a one-tonne bag of fertiliser was being lifted by a tractor loader combination. The load shifted, causing one of the lifting hoops to fail.
They noted that the fertiliser supplier had recently moved from one-tonne, re-useable bags to single-use, recyclable items. Thankfully, in this event, no one was hurt, but it emphasised the need for safety when undertaking such tasks.
Responding to this near miss, they acknowledged that while the bags have a 5 to1 safety factor, the correct procedures need to be followed for lifting and transporting such items, alongside caution when lifting or lowering, to minimise the risk of lifting hoop failure.
As well as understanding safe procedures, farmers, landowners and contractors should also ensure staff are aware of potential risks.
Operators should be aware that if they are working with colleagues, ideally they should establish a 5m exclusion area around the work site. If this is not possible and the co-worker is not in direct sight, the driver should stop until the person is back in view and only proceed with the task after an affirmative “thumbs up” signal.
Before lifting such bags, drivers should inspect any lifting hoops to ensure they are in good condition, without any obvious signs of tearing or delamination. They should also ensure the bags are carried as low as possible to lower the centre of gravity, at a speed no greater than walking pace – particularly when travelling over unsealed or uneven surfaces.
After lifting, operators should ensure the load remains secure and stable, and the intended travel route should be unimpeded. Other staff working in the immediate vicinity should never walk or stand under a suspended load of any kind.
It goes without saying that drivers should not be using any mobile phones during lifts.
When they are able to empty the content of the bag into a fertiliser, or in the case of seed, into a spreader or seed drill, they should use a longhandled blade or slasher to pierce the underside of the bag or consider investing in a specialist bag opener/dispenser.
For more information visit www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz or www.safersfarms.co.nz
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The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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