Stripper Harvester

Safety Is Your Responsibility

This information is intended to help you get to know the basic guidelines and recommendations for maintaining, configuring, and operating stripper-type cotton harvesters. You should also read and understand the operator’s manual for the machine you plan to operate. Pay close attention to all safety precautions and procedures to prevent injury or death to yourself and those around you!

General Safety Practices

When you work around harvesting machinery, safety is vital to protect yourself and the workers around you. Follow these rules to help ensure a safe harvesting operation:

• Always read and understand the operator’s manual for the equipment you are about to operate. Pay special attention to safety concerns and follow all safety procedures to prevent injury or death.
• Operate harvesting machinery at appropriate speeds, taking into account ground conditions and slope.
• Harvesting equipment is often “top-heavy.” Do not dump harvesters on sloping ground, in high winds, near electrical lines, or while moving. Make sure the rear axle stabilizer system works before dumping.
• Always keep a fully charged fire extinguisher on harvesting equipment. If you detect a basket fire in time, dump the load on the ground and move the harvester away quickly. Never try to extinguish a fire from inside the basket.
• At least once a day, clean seed cotton, lint, and trash from the engine compartment and other heat sources on your harvester. Keep these areas clean, and you will greatly reduce the chance of machine fires.
• Always install mechanical cylinder stops or blocks before you perform maintenance on row units, under raised baskets, or under other hydraulically controlled systems. Stops and blocks will prevent the systems from lowering unexpectedly.
• Wear close-fitting clothing and pay close attention when you work around harvesting equipment. Before you get near any moving part, make sure the parking brake is set and the engine is shut off.