Safety Tips for Using a Rotary Cutter

If you’ve recently purchased a rotary cutter for your farm, you may not realize how dangerous these efficient machines can be. While incredibly helpful in the fields, those sharp, spinning blades can very often lead to accidents if not treated with caution. To be sure you’re using your equipment safely, we advise reading through some of our helpful safety tips below.

Safety Prep

To ensure the safety of both you and your equipment, it’s extremely important that you inspect your rotary cutter before taking it out into the fields. To begin, check that all guards and shields are in place, and haven’t been cracked or damaged from previous use. We also encourage you to double-check that the rotary attachment is safely hitched to your tractor, and that each blade is sharp enough to function correctly. Once your cutter has passed inspection, we advise taking a moment to step out into the field and ensure that your work area is clear. This means removing any nearby livestock, alerting nearby bystanders, and removing any debris or items that could damage your rotary cutter. 

Using Your Rotary Cutter 

Not that both your work area and machinery have been examined, you’re welcome to start up your tractor and get to work. As you drive remember to move slowly and take turns at a snail’s pace, as a rotary cutter can very easily unbalance a tractor and result in it tipping over. If you ever want to get out of your tractor's cab, you’ll first need to disconnect your PTO, place the machine in park, and cut the engine. Once the engine is off, be sure to wait a moment before hopping out of your tractor, as the blades will continue to turn until they lose momentum. 

Still searching for a handy rotary cutter for your farm? Look no further than our locations here in Windsor and Aylesford, Nova Scotia, or Moncton, New Brunswick! Each of our dealerships offers a variety of helpful farming machinery, parts, and services, and we proudly serve the entire Atlantic Canada region.