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Page 22 %u2022 The Midwest Cattleman %u2022 January 2025David and Janelle Frueh660-541-0361Silver Spur Salers Scott, Stacy, Landon& Easton Liebhart660-562-3481Check out our Facebook page & Website!www.SilverSpurSalers.com March 23, 2025Maryville, MissouriSalers Junior National Coming to Missouri!Show Heifer Prospects for SaleSelling Bulls & FemalesSalers %u2022 Composite %u2022 Red Angus %u2022 SimAngusSKID STEER LOADER SAFETYProtecting You and Your Farmby Ben Rice | CAT.comSafety is especially important on the farm or ranch, as it not only protects your livestock, but also your machine operators and family. Equipment damage and accidents can mean potential injury, reduced production, decreased performance and lost revenue. In agriculture, four factors are particularly important to consider regarding skid steer loader safety: visibility, the exhaust system, emergency and everyday operation safety features.Enhanced Visibility Is Essential on the FarmToday%u2019s advanced skid steer loaders are equipped with visibility enhancing features that help prevent injury to nearby workers and livestock. They also help minimize damage to buildings, fences, pens and the machine itself. Some of these include:%u2022 Narrow lift arms that reduce blind spots.%u2022 Window surfaces that extend all the way to the floor of the cab, allowing you to see clearly out of both sides of the machine. They also provide a clear view of the machine%u2019s wheels and surrounding terrain.%u2022 Rearview mirrors that provide a panoramic view of the rear and sides of the machine.%u2022 Rearview cameras that allow operators to be fully aware of their 360-degree surroundings without having to turn their head.Exhaust Systems Designed for Accident and Injury PreventionMany older model skid steer loaders and several current makes are equipped with exhaust systems that direct exhaust to exit out of the machine from the side and rear. It is easy to imagine the injury and damage this can cause, as these extremely hot exhaust fumes can harm people or livestock standing near the machine. They can also ignite airborne debris such as hay, bedding, feed and silage.With the close working quarters on today%u2019s farms, it is important to find a skid steer loader with an exhaust system that cools the engine exhaust gas and directs it up and away from ground level. All air flow should exit the machine vertically rather than to the side or rear to avoid disturbing or harming people or animals.Safety Features to Protect Operator in an EmergencyIn the event of an unexpected engine shut down, it is important to have more than one method of lowering the lift arms so the operator can safely exit the machine. Hydraulic accumulators can allow the operator to lower the loader arms if electrical power is available and the accumulator is charged. If the accumulator is not charged or if there is no electrical power, a dead engine lower valve allows the operator to manually lower the arms so the operator can safely exit.Improving Safety During Everyday OperationsOn today%u2019s advanced skid steer loaders, safety features activate before the engine is even turned on%u2014starting with the operator presence system, which requires the operator to be in the machine with the arm bars lowered before the engine will start. Once the engine is started, the parking brake will remain set and the hydraulic system locked out until you depress a switch to activate the machine. Additionally, a Photo: Adobestock.com