What to Know Before You Mow

Every year, farmers and landscape contractors are injured or killed by farm machinery. Improper use, failure to take proper safety precautions and lapse in equipment maintenance all account for these accidents, which are tragic and unnecessary. Learning the ways machinery can be dangerous as well as ways to prevent misuse helps to lower risk and protect everyone involved.

Potential for Death or Injury

Operating a piece of farm machinery doesn’t require a permit, but is a serious task nonetheless and shouldn’t be performed by any person who isn’t supervised or familiar with the equipment. The most common types of injuries resulting from bush hogging include the following:

Tipping. Weighing thousands of pounds, bush hogs can be dangerous or even deadly if operated at improper speeds. Turning a bush hogger too quickly or while on uneven ground can result in a loss of balance and the potential to be crushed.

Falling into holes. Particularly on land that is unfamiliar or densely overgrown, falling into unseen holes or ditches with farm equipment can be very dangerous. Improper inspection of land prior to bush hogging can result in tipping or falling while mowing.

Flying debris. The blades of a hitch bush hog can spin up to 150 mph, flinging debris at dangerous speeds.

Safety Precautions to Prevent Injury While Bush Hogging

When operating a bush hog, invest in eye and ear protection, in addition to keeping a safe distance from the blades at all times. NEVER get close to the back of a bush hog while the motor is running, and make sure that any bystanders or observers are at least 100 feet from the machinery while it is being operated.

If you’ve purchased or inherited the land you are servicing, inspect the property for holes, rocks, and other potentially dangerous growth patches BEFORE you bush hog it. Unknown or improperly inspected land can result in the following:

• Damage to tractor and machinery, including dulling or breaking of the rotating blades
• Damage to you, the driver
• Burning up more fuel, costing you more money and time

Finally, the best defense against breakage or injury is common sense. If you choose to do it yourself, when operating machinery, do so with the respect and focus the task deserves. A qualified and experienced bush hogging service provider can help you avoid any of these risks and ensure a safe and high quality job.