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23. LOADING WORK
Basic movements
If you are not accustomed to using a grapple, you should first practice basic crane movements.
Exercises that shorten the learning time are set out below. The timber trailer’s stabilisers must
be used during all loading and unloading work. The ground under the stabilisers must be
level and stable as there is a risk of overturning when working on slopes. Therefore, it is very
important that the trailer is loaded and unloaded on a level surface.
PRACTISE STEPS
1.
One lever at a time
Begin with one function at a time. Operate the crane using a low and even engine speed.
Check which crane movements are suitable for the tractor. The operator must feel completely
comfortable with the grapple’s movement pattern. Practice starting and stopping each move-
ment smoothly to ensure the grapple does not sway when in operation. Do not run grapple
loader functions to their end positions at full speed.
2. PARALLEL DISPLACEMENT
Once you have mastered the first exercise, the next one is to place the grapple about 0.5 me-
tres above the ground as far from the trailer as possible with the grapple loader turned 90 de-
grees to the trailer. Move the grapple back and forth toward the trailer parallel to the ground.
The stop and start movements should also be smooth.
3. LOADING AND UNLOADING
Set up a reasonably high pile of logs. Grip the pile and place the gripping point so that the
lowest point of the timber tilts toward the headboard. Lift the timber in towards the trailer
before using any rotating or lifting movements. You are in full control once grapple move-
ments are smooth and there is no swaying. Complying with these instructions means you
will not have to retighten the hose connections in the rotator that often. By working calmly
and methodically, you learn a movement pattern, which is good in terms of safety. The crane
operating techniques take a few weeks/months to learn before you can work at full capacity.
The risk of accidents is greater than normal during the learning phase. Pulling the wrong lever
to let the timber slide off the grapple when you least expect it can be happen easily during this
process. Therefore, you should leave a good amount of space around you when practicing.
GRIPKLO
ROTATOR
VIPP
LYFT
SVÄNG
