9
★
Freeing a Mired Machine
Attempting to free a mired machine can involve safety
hazards such as the mired tractor tipping rearward
，
the
towing tractor overturning
，
and the tow chain or tow bar
(Actable is not recommended) failing and recoiling from
its stretched condition
．
Back your tractor out if it gets mired down in mud
．
Unhitch any towed implements
．
Dig mud from behind
the rear wheels
．
Place boards behind the wheels to
provide a solid base and try to back out slowly
．
If necessary
，
dig mud from the front of all wheels and
drive slowly ahead
．
If necessary to tow with another unit
，
use a tow bar or a
long chain (a cable is not recommended)
．
Inspect the
chain for flaws
．
Make sure all parts of towing devices are
of adequate size and strong enough to handle the load
．
Always hitch to the drawbar of the towing unit
．
Do not
hitch to the front push bar attachment point
．
Before
moving
，
clear the area of people
．
Apply power smoothly to
take up the slack
：
a sudden pull could snap any towing
device causing it to whip or recoil dangerously
．
★
Avoid High-Pressure Fluids
Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin
causing serious injury
．
Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before
disconnecting hydraulic or other lines
．
Tighten all
connections before applying pressure
．
Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard
．
Protect hands
and body from high pressure fluids
．
If an accident occurs
，
see a doctor immediately
．
Any fluid
injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a
few hours or gangrene may result
．
Doctors unfamiliar with
this type of injury should reference a knowledgeable
medical source
．
