Section 2: Operating Procedures
1/3/23
CB0654 4-in-1 Combination Bucket 381-218M
16
Digging With The Bucket
Refer to Figure 2-1 on page 17
The bucket can be used for digging into the ground or into
piles of dirt, sand, and other similar materials.
1. Make sure load does not exceed rated lift capacity of
the tractor and loader.
2. Center tractor on the material to be picked up.
3. Do not ram bucket into the ground or pile. Make a
complete stop in front of the material to position the
bucket at the proper height and angle.
If digging into the ground:
a. Lower loader arms until bucket is on the ground.
b. Tilt front of bucket down until cutting edge is on the
ground.
c. Start driving forward slowly while continuing to tilt
the front edge down until the bucket starts to dig.
d. Once the bucket starts digging, the front cutting
edge can be tilted up slightly to increase tractor
traction and to achieve an even digging depth.
e. When digging hard ground, slowly raise and lower
the cutting edge while slowly traveling forward.
If digging into a pile:
a. Lower loader arms until the bucket is on the
ground.
b. Tilt front of bucket down until cutting edge is on the
ground.
c. Start driving slowly into the pile. As the bucket
begins to fill, slowly raise loader arms until the
bucket is filled to its rated capacity.
4. Once the bucket is filled, stop and raise bucket. At the
same time, tilt top of bucket back to keep material
from spilling out of the bucket.
5. Make sure bucket and load clears all obstacles when
making a turn or backing away.
6. Position load at a safe, low height and top of bucket
tilted slightly back to transport to the dump site.
Picking Up A Load With The Jaws/Clamshell
Refer to Figure 2-1 on page 17
1. Make sure load does not exceed rated lift capacity of
the tractor.
2. Center tractor on the material to be picked up.
3. Make a complete stop in front of the material and
position bucket at the proper height.
4. Fully open the jaw and drive forward until the bucket
is above the pile. Do not ram bucket into the pile.
5. Lower bucket onto the pile and close the jaw to
secure the load.
6. Lift load a few inches to make sure you have good
control of the load. If load is not secure, release and
recapture load in a more secure location.
7.
Lift load above the pile and then back load out of the
pile slowly making sure load clears all obstacles.
8. Not always will the load be secured properly in the
bucket when pulled free from a pile. Before traveling
with a loose load, lower load to ground, release load,
and re-clamp load to make it more secure.
9. Position load at a safe, low traveling height and begin
transferring to the dump site.
Traveling With A Load
1. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
2. Keep load tilted back slightly.
3. When possible, travel with the load low to the ground.
4. Continually scan all sides for pedestrians, other
traffic, and obstacles.
5. If load is large and blocks your view, travel in reverse.
6. Always drive at a safe speed and slow down when
going around corners. Avoid sudden braking.
7.
Leave enough clearance when turning so that the
bucket and load does not contact obstacles such as
vehicles, buildings, trees, fences, etc.
8. When traveling over a ramp or incline, keep load on
the “uphill” side of tractor.
9. When possible, travel straight up and down grades,
ramps, and inclines. Avoid making turns on grades,
ramps, and inclines.
10. Raise or lower the load only when stopped, never
when traveling.
11. Slow down when traveling over rough or hilly terrain.
12. Do not transport loads on public roadways.
13. Transport on public roadways without a load and
transport in such a way that faster moving vehicles
may pass you safely.
14. Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
Releasing A Load
Refer to Figure 2-1 on page 17
1. Stop in front of desired location and slowly raise load
to the required height for dumping.
2. Move slowly forward while checking to make sure
bucket and load clears all obstacles.
3. Stop forward movement when load is positioned over
its release location.
4. Releasing the load requires a combination of tilting
the front of bucket down or opening the jaw, and
raising the loader arms. The order in which the load
is released will vary depending on type of material
being released. The most important objective is to
have the load under control throughout the release.
5. Once the load has settled onto the pile, tilt bucket
level and close the jaw if opened.