PTO Safety

PTOs - How to stay safe

Your PTO could well be the most dangerous piece of equipment on your farm. Accidents involving PTOs can be horrific and lead to life-changing injuries or death. It doesn’t matter how many times you have used your PTO before you can NEVER afford to drop your guard when you are working with it. But, the PTO is an extremely versatile and useful piece of machinery and when you use it properly and follow the proper checks you can keep everyone safe. Make sure you have a PTO safety checklist like this one.

MAINTAIN PTOS PROPERLY

Ensure PTO guards/shields and restraining chains are in place.
Replace or repair - never use equipment with missing or damaged guards or missing chains.
Defective PTO shafts can disconnect from machinery and strike someone.
Is your PTO guard the correct size and length? Badly fitting guards are dangerous. The rotating shafts must be totally enclosed by the guard. Always refer to manufacturer’s instructions.
Ensure the PTO guard and quick release have been regularly cleaned and greased.
Clean windows and ensure mirrors are intact and correctly adjusted.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

It takes only a few more seconds to step around. Never step across a rotating power shaft.
Always wear close fitting clothing. Scarves, jewellery or hoodie cords can easily get trapped in a rotating PTO, its best to remove them. Tie long hair back or keep it under a cap. 
Check no one is in danger before engaging the PTO drive. 
Keep children away from PTOs and all operational machinery. 
Make sure pedestrians and vehicles can move around you at a safe distance.
Carry a mobile phone with emergency numbers programmed in.
Ensure a proper training programme for all new operators.

Safe PTO shaft removal

We all know a PTO shaft can get greasy and tricky to grip, so to remove it safely and effectively use a PTO Tool. Designed to perfectly hug your tractor’s PTO stub axle this fork will give you maximum leverage, with minimum effort, without damaging the shaft. Comes with a handy removable half inch socket. Ensure you always wear protective eyewear and footwear when using this product.

Contact your local Fendt, Massey Ferguson or Valtra dealer to find out more about the PTO Tool.