This wet harvest season is leaving fairly extensive damage to many Ohio fields. Sometimes ruts and sink holes are minor, barely noticeable depressions in the ground. Sometimes though, they are big enough to catch a tractor tire and cause serious property damage. The harvest safety tip of the month is to watch out for shifting ground and warn others about depressions and sink holes. Tractor rollovers are the number one cause of fatalities on Ohio's farms!

As harvest progresses in Ohio, one area that is rapidly shifting in the field is the wet ground.  A message to field operators during this wet season, is to be on the lookout for ruts and sink holes.

No matter the type of vehicle used to enter and exit the field, ruts are serious sources for rollover and potential injury.  Look over the route of transport prior to driving through it. Be especially alert for areas that will compromise the vehicle's stability. In severe cases, gravel may need to be added before traffic flow continues, or simply seek an alternative egress route.

 Drive slowly in areas of concern. Whenever possible drive on the higher ground, but be cautious of driving with a full load on a tilt. Rollovers can easily occur when the vehicle extends beyond its plane of stability. Loads may also shift in transport, increasing the chance of a rollover while traversing uneven ground.

 Use extreme caution and travel at slower-than-normal speeds when transporting loads near water sources, i.e. creeks, rivers, or pond banks. Drive around ditches and waterways when possible and avoid crossing at steep slopes.

  Understand the topography and sub-surface drainage routes of each field. This will help field drivers know where to be on alert for ponding water or any sink holes that may exist from a tile blow out.

 Know the location of the drainage system, including tile lines and outlets. Record any modifications made to the system or any installation of new tiles. Although it is often hard to identify older systems that remain in the field, old maps from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or previous owners may know their whereabouts.

 Additional steps to take to avoid rollovers in wet conditions:

•  Set the vehicle's wheels as far apart as possible.
• Start forward motion slowly and change speeds gradually.
• Reduce speed before making turns.
• Use break pedals in the unlocked position during field use; but remember to lock them together after exiting the field before driving at transport speed.

All drivers - no matter their age or experience level - cannot ignore the risk of rollovers. Weather and field conditions change daily, and new terrain hazards can crop up quickly. Field operators are reminded to use caution and stay alert while working in wet fields this season.