Proper Planning and Equipment Help Reduce Roadside Ditch Mowing and Haying Hazards Safely
Roadside ditch mowing and hay harvesting can provide valuable forage, but these activities also expose farmers and ranchers to serious safety hazards.
Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety specialist, encourages producers to prepare carefully before working in roadside ditches to reduce the risk of injuries and equipment damage.
Johnson explained that roadside ditches often contain hidden dangers, including steep slopes, culverts, washouts, soft soil, standing water, rocks, and roadside debris. Farmers should inspect the entire work area before mowing or cutting hay. Identifying culverts, removing discarded materials, and marking hidden obstacles help prevent equipment damage and improve operator safety.
Using the right equipment also plays an important role in preventing accidents. Tractors equipped with rollover protection systems (ROPS) or enclosed cabs, combined with seat belts, offer valuable protection on uneven ground.
“In an open cab tractor, a ROPS bar in combination with a seat belt can protect you from being thrown and becoming pinned underneath tractor tires in the event the tractor tips or rolls due to the steep conditions of a ditch,” says Johnson.
Johnson also recommends using dual rear wheels for better stability, keeping loaders in a low position, maintaining mower guards, and inspecting balers before each use. Producers should regularly grease bearings and chains, replace worn parts, and always disengage the power takeoff (PTO) before performing maintenance or repairs.
Working near roads requires extra attention. Farmers should use flashing hazard lights, turn signals, and slow-moving vehicle signs to alert motorists. When loading hay near roadways, wearing high-visibility clothing improves safety for everyone involved.
Dry conditions also increase fire risks during mowing and haying. Producers should remove dry plant material from equipment, carry a fully charged fire extinguisher, bring water, and keep a cellphone available for emergencies.
Johnson reminds farmers to carefully weigh the benefits of harvesting ditch hay against the possible dangers.
“The bales produced from it are not worth losing a life. Even mowing ditches is dangerous,” says Johnson. “Reaching for those extra blades of grass with the mower is not worth damaging equipment or risking a life.
For additional farm and ranch safety information, producers can visit ndsu.ag/farm-safety-26.
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