Propane Tractor Runs
Over / Kills Farmer

During the fall of 1998 a 60-year-old Iowa farmer was killed when he started his tractor. The propane-powered tractor was parked in a machine shed, which had a dirt floor. The farmer was working alone and evidently assumed the tractor transmission was in neutral, then started the engine while standing on the ground to the left of the tractor or while standing on the side step of the tractor. The ignition switch was easily reachable from the ground on the left side. There were no witnesses to the event, but it appears the farmer was standing on the ground, holding in the clutch with his left hand, starting the tractor with his other hand, then letting out the clutch assuming the transmission was in neutral. The tractor moved ahead and stopped when it hit a post of the machine shed. The farmer was found trapped under the left rear wheel of the tractor, dead at the scene. The engine was cold, with the ignition key in the ON position. The tractor originally had a safety switch built-in to the transmission, but it had been bypassed by the previous owner. This enabled starting the tractor in gear when the clutch was pressed down.The farmer purchased this tractor, and another identical one 15 years ago.The other tractor did have an operational safety switch, and it is possible that he mistakenly thought he was starting the other tractor.

#1 Farmers and tractor operators should not bypass factory-installed safety devices.

• Bypassing the safety mechanism on this tractor made it operate like a truck with a manual transmission, however trucks are not started unless the operator is in the seat.
• If one is standing in front of the rear wheels of a tractor, there is no time to get out of the way if the tractor starts and lurches forward.
• New owners of used equipment are reluctant to make safety changes that would require additional time and expense. Therefore sellers should ensure that machines have functioning safety devices.

#2 Tractor operators should not attempt to start their machines from any position other than sitting in the operator's station.

• It is convenient sometimes to start a tractor from the ground, rather than from the operator's seat. However, this creates a great runover hazard.
• Because of this, manufacturers for decades have designed safety systems, which require the operator to be seated prior to starting the engine.