PTO (POWER TAKEOFF) SAFETY
PROTECT YOURSELF
What is power takeoff (PTO)? The PTO provides a means of
transmitting power between a tractor and another piece of farm 1. When you finish your task, turn off
machinery. Some examples of PTO-driven equipment are hay balers, the PTO before getting off the
rotary cutters, weed mowers, forage blowers and irrigation pumps. tractor. Stop the tractor and take the
This handout provides information to prevent PTO accidents. More key.
information is also available via the Growing Safely PTO Safety video 2. Don’t go near the PTO driveline until
on the Monsanto Off-the-Job Safety YouTube Channel. all parts have stopped rotating.
3. Don’t check, adjust, unplug or
grease any PTO- powered
equipment while the PTO shaft
is rotating.
4. Check the manufacturer’s
instructions on how to hook up
an implement to the PTO. Make
sure no one is on the tractor or
near the equipment while you
are hooking it up.
5. If a PTO is operating while the
tractor is stationary, be sure the
tractor is in neutral or park and
DANGERS OF PTO the parking brake is on.
PTOs are dangerous because the shafts rotate at a high speed. 6. Don’t wear loose clothing
around a PTO. If you have long
Most PTO accidents occur when people get too close to a hair, put it up or tuck it under a
rotating shaft. hat before operating the
Guarding for PTO drivelines helps prevent PTO entanglement. machinery.
7. Every time you hook up an
Safety Devices Help
implement to your tractor’s PTO,
PTO shields cover the shaft to help prevent you from
check to make sure the shields
becoming entangled.
are in place and are properly
Check to see if the equipment you are using has shields over functioning.
all parts of the PTO shaft.
8. If someone is working alone with
Don’t assume a guard or shield will automatically prevent an PTO-powered machinery,
accident. Shields may be missing, damaged or cover only part occasionally check on the
of the PTO driveline. person.
Immediately report any problems to your supervisor and do Source: Gempler’s Tailgate
not operate the machinery without proper guarding in place. * Training Tip Sheet
