S-52
Safety Makes Sense: in forage harvesting
by F. R. Willsey, Extension Safety Specialist, Agricultural Engineering Department
Why Study Forage Harvest Safety?
Forage harvesting has become highly mechanized during the last few years.
Forage harvesting jobs involve many machines and a wide variety of activities.
Safety practices must be updated to meet the changes and check the great number of accidents involving forage harvesting.
Who Should be Informed?
All those who help with the work as well as those who travel roads when forage crops are being hauled.
What Tools and Harvesting Equipment Are Used?
Mower (cutter-bar and flail cutter) • Conditioner (cutter and crimper) • Rake (side delivery —cylinder or finger wheel) • Windrower • Hay Baler (with or without a bale thrower) • Bale loader • Wagon • Truck • Tractor • Elevator
•	Drying equipment • Silage chopper • Blower
•	Mow equipment (ropes, bale fork, conveyor)
Before Operating Your Harvesting Equipment,
Study the operator’s manual. Understand the instructions.
Notice the prominent spot that is given to safety warnings. Some manuals have the green cross for safety spotted where mention is made of safety practices.
Learn about adjustments that will prevent clogging and help increase efficiency.
Realize the importance of proper maintenance of the equipment for best results.
Study special safety devices and the various hazards that apply to your particular harvesting machine.
Appreciate the importance of shields and guards. Insist that they be kept in place.
Some Primary Rules for a Safe Harvest
Don’t try to unclog equipment with the power on. Don’t use hands or feet to unclog at any time —equipment may be started accidentally or it may not even be turned off.
Never get into a position where you might slip or fall into moving machinery.
Safety Problems in Storage
Don’t just assume equipment is in good order. Check each item.
If a hay fork (bale or loose) is used, check all ropes and carrier track each season.
Keep hay mow floors solid and smooth.
Provide railings around all hay chutes and trap doors.
Be extremely careful in working rope pulleys or elevators.
Use proper lifting procedures in handling the bales. Lift with legs, not your back. Be sure of footing.
Avoid overloading a mow. Remember chopped and baled hay weighs much more than loose hay.
Remember—it is easier to prevent fires before the hay is placed in the mow than afterwards.
Consider safety factors when installing and operating forage drying equipment.
Silo gas can kill. (See Mimeo S-42)
Practically all hay is chopped or baled. However, farmers still use pitchforks. They can be a most dangerous piece of equipment if they are not handled or stored properly.
What are the conditions that are necessary for the spontaneous heating and ignition of hay?
The presence of moisture in sufficient quantities is one of the several necessary factors for spontaneous heating and ignition of hay.
a.	Long hay (not chopped or baled) is thought to be safe when stored at 25 percent moisture.
Cooperative Extension Service, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, Lafayette, Indiana