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Fair Book 2007 / Tractor Operator Contest

Tractor Operator Contest

Superintendent:
Brent Noles
Assistant:
Doyle Walker

The Tractor Operator Contest is sponsored by the Zimmerer Kubota and Equipment Inc. It is designed to develop skills in operating farm tractors and equipment. Safety is a major consideration.

  1. Dates and times
    Entry time:
    9 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
    Thursday, March 29, 2006
    Judging:
    1 p.m.
  2. Entry fee: $15.00
  3. Entries are subject to the general rules.
  4. Divisions — The contestant’s age must be determined by Jan 1, 2007.
    Junior (age 12 — 14)
    Senior (age 15 — 18)
  5. Equipment:
    1. Lawn mower for Juniors
    2. Tractor for Seniors
    3. Two wheel trailer or implement
  6. Scoring — Contestants are assessed penalty points for safety violations, time, hit markers, etc., according to the attached score sheet.
  7. Judges — Judges are appointed and will rule on all questions. The judges’ interpretation of the rules are final.
  8. Awards — The first three place winners will receive trophies and awards. Then a portion of the entry fee will be jack–potted.

Contest

The contest will consist of mounting a tractor, starting it safely and correctly, and driving the indicated course.

The contest requires the contestant to drive and back a tractor with the trailer attached. Stakes or cones will outline the course.

  1. Starting the tractor engine — Upon mounting the tractor, the contestant will be responsible for the following items:
    1. For tractors with standard transmissions, seeing that at least one brake is set. For tractors with automatic transmissions, the selector level must be in the “park” position.
    2. For tractors with standard transmissions, seeing that the gear shift lever is in the neutral position.
    3. Seeing that the PTO is disengaged.

    The tractor will then be started and run at idling speed until the contestant is to start driving.

  2. Driving the course — The contestant will notify the official when he is ready to begin driving(transmission in neutral or park, clutch engaged, PTO disengaged, and engine idling.) Timing begins when the signal to start is given by the starting official. The driver is then allowed six minutes to complete the course.
  3. Stopping procedure — The course is completed when the driver has backed his tractor and trailer into the stake pattern and is satisfied with the trailer’s position in relation to the stakes. After backing the trailer into the “shed” as near the stopping stakes as possible without touching them, the driver will:
    1. For tractors with standard transmissions — shift into neutral and lock at least one brake.
    2. For tractors with automatic transmissions — shift lever to “park”.
    3. Stop tractor engine.

    This particular sequence is not necessary as long as all operations are accomplished safely.

    Timing ends when, after stopping the engine, the contestant raises both hands about shoulder height.

  4. Scoring — Contestants will be scored upon the items shown on the score sheet.

The event will have a six minute time limit. A penalty of 400 points will be added to the contestant’s score for failure to complete the course in the allotted time. When time is called, the contestant will be stopped and measurements will be taken. If penalties due to measurement are less than 400 points for exceeding the time limit, he will receive the lower score. In the event time is called, the penalty points received for time will not exceed 760 penalty points, (6 minutes x 60) + 400.

Two stakes will serve as the back of an imaginary shed, each located two feet in from the corner. Contestants will be penalized 20 points for each inch over two inches from the farthest stake to the back of the spreader.

Safe Tractor Driving Rules

The following rules are offered as a guide for safe tractor operation. Officials should be guided by, but not limited to, the scope or coverage of the following paragraphs:

  1. After mounting tractor with standard transmission, set at least one brake, place the gear shift lever in neutral position, and disengage clutch before starting engine. For tractor with automatic transmission, shift selector lever to “part” position before starting engine.
  2. Place PTO lever in neutral position before starting engine and keep disengaged at all times except when it is in use.
  3. Engage clutch gently and avoid careless or sudden starts and stops which tend to “bounce” front wheels off the ground or cause rear wheels to “dig in”.
  4. Avoid unnecessary slipping of clutch when maneuvering in the driving course. The operator’s foot may remain on the clutch, but “riding” the clutch is to be avoided.
  5. Release brakes before starting to drive the tractor.
  6. Keep tractor in gear when driving. Never shift into neutral or disengage clutch to coast part of the way.
  7. Ride on the tractor. Never ride on drawbar or hitch of trailer or implement being drawn.
  8. Reduce speed to a safe level before making a turn or applying one brake.
  9. Do not permit extra riders on the tractor at any time.
  10. Bring tractor to a complete stop before dismounting.
  11. Do not use road gear while driving the course. Any gear which permits a ground speed of ten miles per hour or faster is considered a road gear.
  12. Drive tractor at speeds slow enough to insure safety, both for driver and for officials.
  13. Wear clothing with snug fitting cuffs. Avoid loose-fitting baggy clothing.
  14. Tobacco use while driving the course is NOT permitted.
  15. Avoid short turns which will foul implement against tractor wheel.
  16. When leaving tractor with standard transmission, shift into neutral, set at least one brake, engage clutch, and shut off engine. When leaving tractor with automatic transmission, shift selector lever to “park”, engage clutch, and shut off engine. This particular sequence is not necessary so long as all operations are accomplished safely.
  17. Mount and dismount tractor properly. Use steps if provided by manufacturer.