Technical


At 22 degrees the drive to the cutters is stopped, and the uphill unit is raised off the ground to give additional stability


can continue to cut grass. They cannot be restarted until the machine gets back to 16 degrees or less


- 22 degrees: The drive to the cutters is stopped, and the uphill unit is raised off the ground to give additional stability to the machine


By fitting such a system, the safe working limit has been raised from 15 degrees to 22 degrees, giving a significant increase in the safe performance of the machine, and limiting what the bolder operators are capable of attempting, therefore preventing accidents caused by overconfidence.


The system can be modified to work with out- front rotaries as well by not allowing the operator to raise the mowing deck and, finally, by disengaging the drive to the deck.


TST has proven that technology can be used to enhance machinery performance, whilst at the same time improving operator safety. When the cutter drive is automatically disengaged, the


operator has little choice but to leave the area and look for flatter ground. By limiting the lift and lower operations, the operator cannot change the CoG of the machine while still on sloping ground. This significantly enhances the safety of the machine.


The Operator


So far, we have looked at the mechanical limits that are built into a modern machine to assist the operator and prevent operation on steeper slopes. However, we all know that there is more to safe operation than just limiting machinery functions; even slight slopes can be hazardous in poor conditions.


The operator needs to understand the hazards associated with working on banks and slopes and how to assess the risks. Whilst a lot of this comes with experience, good basic training is also essential for safe operation.


The basic risk assessment questions need to be asked before attempting to work on sloping ground;


By fitting such a system, the safe working limit has been raised from 15 degrees to 22 degrees, giving a significant increase in the safe performance of the machine


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- How steep is the slope? - What are the ground conditions like?


- What additional hazards are there on this site?


- Can I safely work on this bank today?


Operators must continually assess the ground they are operating on, and local knowledge of wet areas and poor soil conditions should be recorded on site specific risk assessments, and shared in site working instructions.


Banks and slope are part of our everyday working environment. By combining clever design and improving technology we can now safely work on areas which only expensive specialist machinery could safely work on previously.


DISCLAIMER: Machines and machinery manufacturers safety slope angles vary per model, so it is important to follow the safety instructions stated in the operator’s manual.


The operator needs to understand the hazards associated with working on banks and slopes and how to assess the risks


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The more recently designed machinery has moved away from mechanical levers to control the hydraulic systems, and now use switches of joy sticks to do the same job


PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 I 107


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