How high reach demolition equipment should be stowed?
It is an important safety aspect that the machine is stowed in a safe manner at the end of each working day, taking into account the following aspects:
- The main and intermediate dippers should be fully lowered
- The main boom should be lowered until the attachment is on the ground in accordance with the procedure detailed in the operating manual
- The operator’s cab should be locked
- Any telescoping sections have to be fully retracted
- The ignition key should be removed
- Any additional security functions such as battery isolator, alarms or cab protection systems should be activated.
Which are the most common procedures for transporting, loading and unloading high reach demolition equipment?
High reach machines, like most machinery, are likely to be moved around frequently in order to operate on different jobsites. In this regard, transportation from site to site should always be managed following good technical specifications so that all operations are carried out safely.
The specific procedures for transporting, loading and unloading the machines will vary depending on various factors. However, as high reach machines are characterised by their dimensions, which in some cases are significantly larger than standard ones, some general rules can be stated taking this into account.
Transporting:
- In most cases, this type of machine cannot be transported fully assembled but can be further disassembled by removing the track frame assemblies and counterweights from the upper works.
- Usually, the machines are transported in two or three sections: base machine, demolition arm, and tools and counterweights (if requested)
- All components and assemblies, such as pipes and hydraulic lines capped off must be securely anchored to the vehicle used for the transportation, in order to avoid any movement of the load in such transportation.
- If it is possible to transport the fully assembled excavator, it is forbidden to perform any rotation manoeuvres on the transport platform.
Loading:
- Assembly/ disassembly of the sections should be performed on an adequate and flat area with enough space for manoeuvring.
- For transporting the arm, the attached supports provided by the manufacturer should be used.
- Due to particular constraints of weight or size during transportation, the base machine of large machines can also be disassembled in the turret with the fifth wheel and individual tracks.
- Appropriate cranes and lifting systems, as well as slinging points specified by the manufacturer in the owner’s use and maintenance manual, should be used, in order to perform manoeuvres correctly and estimate adequate safety margins, preventing this way rollovers or instability of the load.
- The arm must be removed before removing the counterweights.
- When loading a fully rigged high reach machine onto the low loader the machine should be reversed onto the trailer with the boom in line with the trailer.
- Retractable undercarriage must be operated in strict accordance with manufacturers operating manual procedures.
- The boom need only be raised to sufficient height for ground clearance and should never be slewed across the trailer.
- Running boards should be folded and secured in the upright position to compensate for the track overhang. They should be deployed with suitable marker boards displayed.
Unloading:
- Appropriate cranes and lifting systems, as well as slinging points specified by the manufacturer in the owner’s use and maintenance manual, should be used, in order to perform manoeuvres correctly and estimate adequate safety margins, preventing this way rollovers or instability of the load.
- Performs assembly/ disassembly of the sections on an adequate and flat area with enough space for manoeuvring.
- Pre-start checks on all equipment (including stowed away equipment awaiting deployment) should be carried out prior to redeployment.
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