Barrier Mower RI 60-80
10
VEHICLE / TRACTOR PREPARATION
We recommend vehicles are fitted with cabs using
‘safety glass’ windows and protective guarding when
used with our machines. Fit Operator Guard
(See drawing) using the hooks provided. Shape the
mesh to cover all vulnerable areas. The driver must be
looking through mesh and/or polycarbonate glazing
when viewing the working tool in any working position
- unless the vehicle/ cab manufacturer can demonstrate
that the penetration resistance is equivalent to, or higher than, that provided by
mesh/polycarbonate glazing. If the tractor has a roll bar only, a frame must be made to
carry both mesh and polycarbonate glazing. The operator should also use personal
protective equipment to reduce the risk of serious injury such as; eye protection (mesh
visor to EN1731 or safety glasses to EN166), hearing protection to EN352, safety
helmet to EN297, gloves and high visibility clothing.
Vehicle Ballast
It is imperative when attaching ‘third-party’ equipment to a vehicle that the
maximum possible stability of the machine and vehicle combination is achieved – this
can be accomplished by the utilisation of ‘ballast’ in order to counter-balance the
additional equipment added.
Front weights
May be required for rear mounted machines to place 15% of total outfit
weight on the front axle for stable transport on the road and to reduce ‘crabbing’ due to
the drag of the cutting unit when working on the ground.
Rear weights
May be required to maintain a reasonable amount of rear axle load on the
opposite wheel from the arms when in work; for normal off-ground work i.e. hedge
cutting this should be 20% of rear axle weight or more for adequate control, and for
ground work i.e. verge mowing with experienced operators, this can be reduced to
10%.
All factors must be addressed in order to match the type and nature of the equipment
added to the circumstances under which it will be used – in the instance of Power Arm
hedge cutters it must be remembered that the machines centre of gravity during work
will be constantly moving and will differ from that during transport mode, therefore
balance becomes critical.
