The operation of any heavy equipment is associated with risk and danger. Not only should operators of excavators be mindful of potential risks but also find ways to manage these risks.
In this blog, I have broken down steps that can be taken in order to reduce the direct impact of these risks.
Phase 1: Before Operation
1) Seat belts
There is no such thing as a slow rollover. When an excavator overturns, the forces at play are too great for the operator to try and anchor himself via the steering wheel to prevent impact on the side or the roof of the cab. If you are not wearing a seat belt, your best-case scenario is that the cab turns into a washing machine and churns you over. The worst-case scenario is when the door of the cab is open and the forces spit the operator out of the cab with potentially fatal consequences. Statistics show a considerable reduction in the severity of injuries in the event that a seat belt is worn. Having a seat belt in a cab does not guarantee that it will be used by the operator. If it doesn’t clip in properly or pinches into part of his body, it is understandable that he is not going to use it. You need to make regular revisions to the seat belt to ensure that it is in comfortable and working order.
2) Mirrors
The operator’s peripheral vision must be as extensive as possible. There will always be blind spots but there should be a limited obstruction to those tools that allow the operator to see what is at his side and behind him. The two biggest problems are firstly dirty mirrors and secondly mirrors that are not correctly set. It is also important to make sure that forward visibility is not impaired through cracks in or dirt on the windshield. This sounds like very basic advice but you will be surprised as to how often common sense takes a back seat to the pressure of getting the job done.
3) Controls
Make sure that the controls are working correctly. The operator needs to fire up the machine and test the joysticks. Here is a brief recap of what the different controls do:
The left joystick controls the excavator's dipper arm and slew motor.
Left joystick actions:
Back - Brings the excavator's dipper arm in
Forward - Moves the excavator's dipper arm out
Left - Makes the excavator slew left
Right - Makes the excavator slew right
The right joystick controls the excavator's boom and bucket.
Right joystick actions:
Back - Brings the excavator's boom up
Forward - Moves the excavator's boom down
Left - Crowds the excavator's bucket in
Right - Crowds the excavator's bucket out
Right Foot Peddle
The right foot peddle controls the piping at the end of the excavator's dipper arm. There are many different hydrophilic attachments - e.g. tilt buckets, breaker, augers
Leaver
The leaver controls the excavator's blade.
Leaver actions:
Back - Brings the excavator's blade up
Forward - Brings the excavator's blade down
Phase 2: During Operation
Excavators are not like family sedans – they are designed for one, and only one human when in operation. This may sound obvious, but needs to be said – one should never allow a passenger in the cab or a rider in the bucket. In fact, the only person that should be in close proximity of the machine is the operator.
Related to this is the fact that the operator must be in the seat when the machine is running. The operator should never attempt to operate the machine unless he is in the operator’s seat, buckled up, and in full control of all his faculties.
When operating the excavator on uneven, rough, or unstable terrain, it is necessary for the operator to dramatically reduce the machine's speed in order to not compromise the stability of the machine. Also, when the excavator is walking, it is advisable to keep the bucket low in order to maintain stability.
When an excavator moves around a worksite, take the time to plot a route that is as flat as possible and dos not require the operator to make any sudden or dramatic turns. If a flat travel surface is not possible and it is necessary to move up a slope, it is advisable to hit the slope head-on and not diagonally which will increase the probability of rolling it.
When propelling up slopes, the boom and the arm should be extended with the bucket carried low and rolled out. This will allow the operator to drop the bucket and prevent the equipment from sliding if necessary. When propelling down a slope, the bucket bottom should be low and parallel to the ground.
In very steep or slippery conditions, the operator can use the boom and arm to help move up and down the slope. When going up a steep slope, extend the boom and arm, and when needed, lower the bucket and retract the arm to help pull the machine up. When traveling down a steep slope, position the bucket with the flat surface resting on the ground. While retracting the arm, raise the boom and propel the machine until the front of the tracks reach ground level.
Never dig underneath the excavator. This may cause the earth to move which in turn could cause the machine to roll. Finally, never attempt the clean the excavator’s bucket by striking it on the ground or against another object.
Phase 3: After Operation
When shutting down the unit, be sure it’s parked on a level surface with the bucket attachment lowered to the ground. Turn off the auto-idle switch and run the engine at half throttle without load for a few minutes to help cool the turbocharger down. Set the RPM to low idle before shutting the engine off with the key switch. Don’t forget to lock up the cab when exiting the equipment.
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