TRANSPORTING THE MACHINE ON MOTOR VEHICLES 2.5 TRANSPORTING THE MACHINE ON MOTOR VEHICLES 2.5.1 LOADING AND UNLOADING Loading and unloading the machine on/from a motor vehicle always involves potential hazards. Proceed with extreme care. Ramps Perform loading and unloading on firm, level ground. Maintain a safety distance from the edges of ditches or from road sides. If the vehicles used have not been appositely equipped, put support blocks under the ramps, in order to avoid any bending. Always lock the wheels of the transporting vehicle with wedg- es. Blocks Always use ramps that are sufficiently wide and can support the weight of the machine.
The longitudinal axes of the ramps must be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the loading side board and their distance must be suitable for the tread of the machine. RWA00240 Max.15˚ Blocks Make sure that the ramps are securely positioned and fas- tened to the loading board and that they have the same length. Position the ramps with a maximum inclination of 15°. Make sure that the ramp surface is clean and there is no trace of grease, oil, soil and ice; remove dirt from the wheels before starting to load the machine on the vehicle. The machine must be loaded on the vehicle with the bucket di- rected forwards, that is, in the direction of advancement of the vehicle.
Do not correct the trajectory of the machine on the ramps. If necessary, get down the ramps and start the operation again. After loading the machine, block its wheels with wedges and secure it with tie-downs or chains that prevent even any side- ward shift (see “3.9 TRANSPORTING THE MACHINE ON MO- TOR VEHICLES”). 2.5.2 TRANSPORT CAUTION During transport, the machine must be secured to the vehicle with closed doors and windows. Define the route to be followed, taking in consideration the width, height and weight of the transport means and of the machine.
Make sure that the dimensions of the machine are compatible with the road and any gallery, subway, bridge, electric and telephone lines, etc. Keep to the regulations in force regarding the permissible width, height, weight of the machine and the trans- port speed. 41