Technical
A popular, and very cost effective way to identify machinery for operators is to run a traffic light system - red for two hours, yellow for four and green for all day use
pulleys, good exhaust systems and seals etc. As machinery is used, it wears and may suffer damage. As an end user, you can’t do much to reduce the built-in vibration levels, but you can assist in maintaining them to the quoted values.
Gloves
The best way to protect against vibration damage is to keep the affected areas of the body warm. This improves blood circulation and reduces the effect of vibration.
So wear gloves whenever you are using vibrating machinery; they really can make a difference.
Traffic Lights
A popular, and very cost effective way to identify machinery for operators is to run a traffic light system.
- Red tape on the handles means two hours use only per day
- Yellow tape on the handles means half day operation
- Green tape on the handles means all day operation
Alternative systems give each operator a vibration reader, and then total vibrations for each day and week can be very accurately monitored and recorded.
The right solution has to depend on the expected level of risk. Coloured handles are okay, but if the operators are close to maximum exposure levels all the time, then a more sophisticated system may be more appropriate.
Reducing vibration levels
So far, we have looked at what vibrations are, how they are caused, their measurement and the effects they can have on us. We should now look at what we can do to reduce vibration on the machinery we own and operate.
Get it serviced!
The machinery left the factory in perfect condition - new bearings, balanced shafts and
128 I PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016
A thorough service should identify damaged parts and they should be replaced. Worn bearings and slack drive belts create additional vibrations which pass wear and metal fatigue to other components. Remember to check all chain tensions as well, and then reset them as per the service manual. Over tensioning can create as many problems as too loose.
Lubrication (grease nipples) is often missed by operators, and these do need attention. Manufacturers are working to remove as many as they can, but some are simply essential. Make sure they are being regularly lubricated.
Blades and Cylinders
You should always fit genuine parts, as they are designed for a precise fit and made to tighter tolerances. Even with genuine parts, you should always check that rotary blades are balanced before fitting them. Cylinders are also critical to smooth vibration free operation.
Genuine parts are dynamically balanced, look for signs of balancing makes or weights on any non-genuine parts you may have, they are cheaper for a reason!
If you have sharpened a blade, then rebalancing is essential. Use a quality balancer to get an accurate result. The operator and the rest of the machine will notice the difference, even if you don’t.
Manufacturers
All manufacturers operate in a competitive world and are constantly working to produce quieter, more comfortable machinery, not just to meet legislative requirements, but because they know that the operator’s feedback and driving experience are key deciding factors in the purchase of new machinery.
So, smoother transmission systems, quieter hydraulics and now hybrid drive systems are being introduced, all of which contribute to a better driving experience. Electric motors generate much less vibration than engines, so battery powered chainsaws and hedgecutters really do make a difference. Hybrid ride-on machinery is much smoother as well, bringing noise and vibration reductions with it.
Some low tech solutions are also being used,
”
like replacing chains with toothed drive belts for smoother and quieter drives.
Factory fitted cab systems are now much better, and the isolation mountings under the operator’s platforms help to remove vibration from the driver.
So manufacturers are working to produce machinery with lower noise and vibration levels. The actual operator’s exposure levels have to be recorded in the instruction book, and the operator’s exposure to vibration has to be measured and monitored to ensure the legal limits are not exceeded.
On existing machinery, a full servicing programme and replacement of worn or damaged parts can all contribute towards reducing the exposure to harmful levels of vibration at work. And the easiest thing operators can do to reduce the effect of vibrations is to take regular breaks and to wear gloves when using vibrating machinery.
Always fit genuine parts as they are designed for a precise fit and made to tighter tolerances
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156