Safety is essential to any heavy equipment operation. Training programs stress operation safety for a reason—heavy equipment can be seriously harmful or potentially deadly if operated incorrectly. Bulldozers can perform a variety of transporting and removal actions. One of the most common uses for bulldozers is demolition but you can also use bulldozers in digging into the earth to remove sand, dirt, or practically anything in its way. If held below surface level, the bulldozer is used for digging; for transporting etc. and when at surface level; and when spreading material or soil, the blade is held above the surface level and works in conjunction with the forward-moving tractor. Additionally, bulldozers are used for new road construction. Before a new road can be paved, a bulldozer will strip, clear, and level where the new pavement or coverage will go.
Parts Of A Bulldozer
- Ripper – located at the rear of the bulldozer, a ripper is used to break up land for agricultural purposes and break down rock and earth for removal.
- Final Drive – being the most used and replaced part on a bulldozer, the final drive transfers power from the drive motor to the tracks.
- Cab – The cab of a bulldozer is where the operator sits and controls the machine from. The cab protects the operator from debris and sound as they move around the worksite. As a bulldozer safety tip, always monitor the cab to make sure it is reducing sound and absorbing impacts from debris as you work.
- Track or Tires -Depending on the type of bulldozer used, it can come with tracks or tires. Tracks are perfect for navigating difficult terrain while tires are best for soft ground.
- Engine -To move heavy debris and to dig up dirt and sand, a bulldozer needs high-powered engine. Different engines are used to fulfill specific needs, such as producing fewer emissions.
- Push Frame -The push frame of a bulldozer is the part that moves the blade.
- Blade -A bulldozer’s blade is a metal plate located at the front of the machine used for pushing debris and digging, depending on the type of blade attached.
Pre-Operating Safety Tips Of Bulldozer
- Some of the most important used bulldozer for sale operating tips are those that come before operating the dozer. These are preventive measures to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure safety:
- Even though bulldozers, as heavy equipment, barely go as fast as other smaller vehicles, you still need to wear a seatbelt. Bulldozers can topple over, and wearing a seatbelt can help keep you safe in such an instance.
- Dozers only have one seat and one seatbelt, which makes it extremely dangerous for another person to be in the cab with the operator.
- Following proper lockout, block out, and tagout procedures is very important and these practices help keep the site safe by ensuring that only can authorized person turns on/off the equipment.
- Check oil and coolant levels to make sure that the dozer will operate properly the whole time you are using it.
Operating Safety Tips Of Bulldozer
- Work in the slot to increase blade load capabilities and prevent material from falling off the blade.
- Doze from front to back to maximize productivity and decrease undercarriage wear.
- It might seem that working in long cuts will get more done, but it can actually cause dirt to fall off the blade and leave more work to do. They also waste fuel and wear out the undercarriage and track slip.
- Stay away from overhead power lines & water mains to ensure that the dozer doesn’t get caught on anything or accidentally swings on anything.
Post-Operating Safety Tips
- Lock the machine as an extra safety precaution.
- Park on ground level to avoid the dozer from toppling over or rolling away.
- Lower the blade and any other attachments, then shut off the engine.
With so many ways to use a bulldozer, you can see why they are so beneficial for construction and debris removal. They make the job easier for crews trying to work efficiently, despite the fact that their design has been virtually unchanged since its first inception.
