Digging Beneath the Wheel Loader Digging beneath the wheel loader is dangerous. The earth beneath could collapse. This could cause the wheel loader to tip, which could cause serious injury or death to the operator. Working around deep pits, trenching or along high walls may require support blocks, especially after heavy rainfalls or during spring thaws. DANGER!!! Before starting any type of operation near power lines (either above ground or buried cable-type), you should always contact the power utility directly and work out a safety plan with them. Sloping Terrain Requires Caution Dig evenly around the work-site whenever possible, trying to gradually level any existing slope.
If it is not possible to level the area or avoid working on a slope, reducing the size and cycling rate of the workload is recommended. Before Starting to Dig, Contact Authorities Below ground hazards also include natural gas lines, water mains, tunnels and buried foundations. Know what’s underneath the work-site before starting to dig. On sloping surfaces, use caution when positioning the wheel loader prior to starting a work cycle. Stay alert for instability situations in order to avoid getting into them. For example, you should always avoid working the bucket over downhill side of the machine when parked perpendicular to the slope.
Avoid full extensions of the bucket in a downhill direction. Lifting the bucket too high, too close to the machine, while the wheel loader is turned uphill can also be hazardous. Be Aware of Height Obstacles Any type of object in the vicinity of the boom could represent a potential hazard, or cause the operator to react suddenly and cause an accident. Use a spotter or signal person working near bridges, phone lines, work-site scaffolds, or other obstructions. Use Care on Loose Support Working heavy loads over loose, soft ground or uneven, broken terrain can cause dangerous side load conditions and possible tipover and injury. Travel without a load or balanced load may also be hazardous.
Stay Alert for People Moving through the Work Area When loading a truck you should always know where the driver is. Avoid loading over the cab of a truck even if the driver is in a safe spot. Someone else could have gone inside, for any number of reasons. Avoid working where unseen passersby might be. If temperatures are changing, be cautious of dark and wet patches when working or traveling over frozen ground. Stay away from ditches, overhangs and all other weak support surfaces. Halt work and install support mats or blocking if work is required in an area of poor support. Slow down the work cycle and use slower travel speeds in congested or populated areas.
Use a commonly understood signal so that other members of the work crew can warn the oper- ator to slow or halt work in an impending hazardous situation. Use Solid Support Blocking Never rely on lift jacks or other inadequate supports when work is being done. Block wheels fore and aft to prevent any movement. Digging Beneath Overhangs Digging beneath an overhang is dangerous. The overhand could collapse on top of the operator and cause serious injury or death. Go on to another digging area before steep overhangs are formed. Know the height and reach limits of the wheel loader and plan ahead while working. Park wheel loader away from overhangs before work shutdown.
1-6 SAFETY Mega 300-III Shop Manual