[AT] Diesel Starting Safety Reminder

[Edward Tabor]

The state of MD requires that a teenager take a "tractor operator safety 
course" before operating farm machinery belonging to another.  However 
he/she is able to operate family owned equipment at will, no course 
required.  Does the state enforce these rules....I can answer with a 
resounding NO.  I took my safety course, although my father taught me 
more about safety than the course ever did.

Ed

DAVIESW739 at aol.com wrote:

>Tim the law covers children from the age of 14 to 18 they have to take and 
>pass a tractor safety and driving test put on by qualified people. They are then 
>given a license or permit what ever you want to call it to operate a tractor. 
>This is on all property public or private. One of the things that gets me is 
>they cannot tow anything behind the tractor on a public road. Really makes it 
>hard for people to use kids to farm with with. Also makes it almost impossable 
>for city kids to get a license for tractors because no one will take the time 
>to train them to pass the test which is quite extensive in driving the 
>tractor though certain types of cituations to show that the kid can safely operate 
>the tractor. 
>I have a 16 year old who works for me at times and i let him drive both of my 
>tractors but if i get caught I could be in trouble and if hegets hurt I am in 
>big trouble. But he is so good at it and so careful that I don't get to 
>excited. He grew up on small kubota that his dad has and is quite good at operating 
>my tractors. he was a little scared the first time he ran the big Cae LA but 
>I stood on the platform with him and he took to it a dog takes to water ( well 
>anyway my dogs). 
>If things were like this when i was a kid the farms would have gone broke 
>looking for someone to help with the farming.
>My daughter tells me that the same law is in effect in Nebraska where she 
>lives. My grandson got his lisence when he turned 14 he also got his regular 
>drivers lisence at the sametime.   
>
>Walt Davies
>Cooper Hollow Farm
>Monmouth, OR 97361
>503 623-0460 
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