Editing Tractor (section)

== Safety ==
[[File:Tractorrearturnover.gif|thumb|right|John Deere tractor rollover diagram]]
[[File:RogerTractorLarge.jpg|thumb|right|A classic [[Allis-Chalmers]] WD row crop tractor, absent any form of rollover protection]]

Agriculture in the United States is one of the most hazardous industries, only surpassed
by mining and construction. No other farm machine is so identified with the [[hazard]]s of production agriculture as the tractor.<ref name="nasd746">{{cite web
|url=https://nasdonline.org/906/d000746/tractor-overturn-hazards.html
|title=Tractor Overturn Hazards
|website=National Ag Safety Database
|last=Murphy
|first=Dennis
|date=1991
|access-date=2020-02-24 
}}</ref> Tractor-related injuries account for approximately 32% of the fatalities and 6% of the nonfatal injuries in agriculture. Over 50% is attributed to tractor overturns.<ref name="Donham, K. 1999">Donham, K., D. Osterberg, M.L. Meyers, and C. Lehtola. 1999. Final report tractor risk abatement and control: the policy conference, September 10–12, 1997. The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.</ref>

The [[roll-over protection structure]] (ROPS) and seat belt, when worn,<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-05-01|title=Social and Individual Influences on Tractor Operating Practices of Young Adult Agricultural Workers|journal=Journal of Adolescent Health|language=en|volume=62|issue=5|pages=605–611|doi=10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.300|pmid=29478719|issn=1054-139X|last1=Rudolphi|first1=Josie M.|last2=Campo|first2=Shelly|last3=Gerr|first3=Fred|last4=Rohlman|first4=Diane S.|pmc=8189182}}</ref> are the most important safety devices to protect operators from death during tractor [[wikt:overturn|overturn]]s.<ref>Ayers, P.D. (2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726132756/http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/farmmgt/05016.html General Tractor Safety]. Colorado State University</ref><ref name=NIOSHBlog>{{cite web |url = http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2013/04/30/crops/ |title = Cost-effective Rollover Protective Structure (CROPS) |date = 30 April 2013 |publisher = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |access-date = 21 January 2015 |first1 = Paul R. |last1 = Keane |first2 = Tony |last2 = McKenzie}}</ref>

Modern tractors have a ROPS to prevent an operator from being crushed when overturning.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2018/03/05/tragedy-averted-90-second-video-speaks-wisconsin-farmers/397566002/|title=Tragedy averted: 90-second video speaks to Wisconsin farmers|work=Wisconsin State Farmer|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en}}</ref> This is especially important in open-air tractors, where the ROPS is a steel beam that extends above the operator's seat.  For tractors with operator cabs, the ROPS is part
of the [[Frame (vehicle)|frame]] of the cab. A ROPS with enclosed cab further reduces the likelihood of serious injury because the operator is protected by the sides and windows of the cab.

These structures were first required by legislation in Sweden in 1959. Before they were required, some farmers died when their tractors rolled on top of them.  Row-crop tractors, before ROPS, were particularly dangerous because of their 'tricycle' design with the two front wheels spaced close together and angled inward toward the ground. Some [[farmer]]s were killed by rollovers while operating tractors along [[wikt:steep|steep]] [[Grade (slope)|slopes]]. Others have been killed while attempting to tow or pull an excessive load from above axle height, or when cold weather caused the tires to freeze to the ground, in both cases causing the tractor to pivot around the rear axle.<ref name="nasd746" /> ROPS were first required in the United States in 1986, non-retroactively. ROPS adoption by farmers is thus incomplete. To treat this problem, CROPS (cost-effective roll-over protection structures) have been developed to encourage farmers to retrofit older tractors.<ref name=NIOSHBlog/>

For the ROPS to work as designed, the operator must stay within its protective frame and wear the seat belt.

In addition to ROPS, U.S. manufacturers add instructional seats on tractors with enclosed cabs. The tractors have a ROPS with seatbelts for both the operator and passenger. This instructional seat is intended to be used for training  new tractor operators, but can also be used to diagnose machine problems.<ref name="Deere Sales Manual">{{cite web |title=Attachments, instructional seat |url=http://salesmanual.deere.com/sales/salesmanual/en_NA/tractors/2007/feature/operator_station_and_controls/6030/6000_7000sf_seat_cab_instructional.html?sbu=ag&link=prodcat |website=salesmanual.deere.com |access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref>
The misuse of an instructional seat increases the likelihood of injury, especially when children are transported. The [[International Organization for Standardization]]'s ISO standard 23205:2014 specifies the minimum design and performance requirements for an instructional seat and states that the instructional seat is neither intended for, nor is it designed for use by children.<ref name="ISO">{{cite web |title=ISO 23205:2014 |url=https://www.iso.org/standard/62662.html |website=ISO |access-date=14 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Despite this, upwards of 40% of farm families give their children rides on tractors, often using these instructional seats.<ref name="Barrett">{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Rick |title=Campaign strives to keep young children off tractors |url=https://archive.jsonline.com/business/campaign-strives-to-keep-young-children-off-tractors-b99260729z1-257808661.html/ |access-date=14 October 2022 |work=www.jsonline.com |agency=Journal Sentinel |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=3 May 2014 |language=en}}</ref>