LARGE BALE HARVESTING EQUIPMENT SAFETY
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800-AOU-01-IADO © 2019, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | wsps.ca
Operating the Machine
Adjust the pickup to allow for adequate ground clearance
Keep in mind the safety precautions when operating the (power take-off ) PTO and hydraulic
operated machinery
Harvest material must contain 20% or less moisture content
Travel at a speed the machine can handle keeping in mind the size of the windrow
Avoid driving across a slope
Drive slow and carry the bale low
Avoid turning or stopping suddenly
Conventional balers have a flywheel which keeps the machine operating even after the power is
disengaged
Do not turn the flywheel manually to view the knotter if someone else is working on the knives or
other moving parts
Moving Large Bales
Keep other workers and bystanders well clear of bale handling operations
Ensure the tractor is large enough and equipped with sufficient counterweight to handle the weight
of the bales
Set wheels at maximum width to increase stability
Front-end Loaders: always use a grapple hook (or proper bale handling device)
Note that a rear-mounted loading spike is ideal – it eliminates the danger of roll-back and does not
block the operator's front vision
Keep the load as low as possible to prevent backward or side overturn of the tractor
Lifting round bales with a front-end loader is discouraged unless a proper bale restraining device
is used
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