Motor graders are becoming more widespread in new construction, home remodeling, road construction, and agriculture. Motor graders have evolved into highly capable pieces of equipment that can carry out tough grading jobs even in difficult terrain. They are capable of getting through areas that would be impossible for other machines due to their high-ground clearance capacity.
However, operating a motor grader in difficult terrain is an operation that requires special consideration. The type of terrain you are going to operate in will determine which equipment you will have to bring with you. You need to choose the equipment considering the type of soil and its consistency. And for that toughest job, nothing is more compatible than a motor grader. To avoid damage from slipping, or even falling off the grader, it is essential that you operate the machine at a safe speed when maneuvering through slippery surfaces. This will also prevent wear and tear on expensive parts of the machine.
Considering all the difficulties that an operator may face during his grading job, we are giving you some expert tips on how to efficiently operate a motor grader on rough terrain. After reading this article, you will be able to drive a motor grader on all types of surfaces with more proficiency.
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Understanding the Terrain
Understanding the terrain and its condition is the most important factor when it comes to operating motor graders for sale. This means you need to be familiar with the surface you are going to work on and how it may affect your equipment. You need to plan the surveying of the site and understand its surface before finalizing anything ahead. The operator along with the project manager needs to visit the site to see what and how the equipment is necessary to bring on. He may better analyze the surface and the equipment selection to maximize productivity, safety and efficiency.
The contractors may use GPS technology that can help with this process by providing precise coordinates for each location. By getting the coordinates you can get satellite images of the area if the site is remote and needs more time to travel for the survey. Once you and your team have determined which type of terrain they will be working on, they should take note of any obstacles that may pose a problem for their machine. For example, you should take all types of obstacles into consideration that may block visibility or cause problems with operations such as clearing brush or removing debris from roadsides. These obstacles might be trees, bushes, or rocks.
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Operating Techniques
The right operating technique for the used motor grader for sale can make all the difference in the toughest terrain. The operator needs to learn and adapt these techniques while working on challenging sites. The following are some tips to help you get the most out of your machine on rough surfaces:
- Steer with the front wheels: This will allow you to maintain control over the motor grader while using less effort. If you steer with the rear wheels, you may find to use too much force and be more likely to lose control of the machine.
- Use light pressure on the throttle: This will allow for smooth movement against the jerky movements that could cause damage to your motor grader.
- Keep the tires inflated beyond normal operating procedures: This will ensure maximum traction and prevent slippage from occurring on slippery surfaces such as gravel roads, dirt roads, mud and snow.
- Use the right tires and equipment: The right tires will have the right traction, and the right equipment will enable you to operate at high speeds without slipping and sliding.
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Maintain the Grading Angle
When you’re working in difficult terrain, it’s important to maintain the correct grading angle of a motor grader. Otherwise, your machine can get stuck in soft ground and you may be unable to push it out. Another issue is that the grader’s bucket may become loose or fall off if there’s too much weight on it. This can lead to an unsafe situation for both workers and equipment.
Further, if you will not maintain the grading angle between the roller and the ground, then the roller will dig into the ground, causing it to lose traction on hard surfaces. This makes it difficult for you to move the machine forward or backwards. You may also find that your machine will not pick up objects as well due to the loose parts.
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Keep the Blade Square to the Ground
When operating a used grader for sale, you need to make sure that the grader’s blade is square to the ground. If the blade is at a down or upper angle, you will have an uneven cut, which can cause damage to your equipment.
To ensure that your blade is in the right position, set your grader on a flat surface such as a concrete slab or driveway. If you are working in difficult terrain where there are many rocks and other obstacles that could throw off your measurements, try using a laser level to check for accuracy before each cut.
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Safety Measures
It is important to follow safety measures when operating a motor grader in difficult terrain. Ignoring and neglecting even the slightest aspect should be avoided on the site as it may cause trouble for the operator and other workers as well. Most of these safety measures are common and require very little time to learn. It is important that all the workers including the operator and manager learn them before operating a motor grader.
- Always wear protective clothing such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, safety gloves and eye protection. If possible, wear a face shield too.
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep all hands on the steering wheel at all times while driving a motor grader.
- Always keep your head up while operating a motor grader so that you can see what is ahead of you at all times. This will help prevent accidents caused by falling objects or other unintended consequences.
- Never allow anyone else to drive your motor grader unless they have experience with similar vehicles and terrain conditions.
Footnote
Operating a motor grader on a rough and difficult terrain needs some special skills. The operator should be able to understand the delicacy of this job to avoid any unpleasant events on the site. Some important considerations to operate a grader on a challenging surface are mentioned in this article. Before starting your job, you can learn them and bring more efficiency to your work.