Front-End Loader

Training
General Traffic Guidelines

All equipment will be operated on the on the

right side of the roadways and ramps
Speed limits must be observed unless road
and weather conditions dictate a need for
lower speeds
Traffic signs, as need dictates, will be posted
at each intersection. They will be obeyed at
all times.
Traffic Guidelines Contd.
Loaded units will normally have right-of-way
over empty units. (Un-loaded unit will yield to
loaded units) Your supervisor will
communicate exceptions
If you are in doubt as to the movements of
another unit in a right-of-way situation, stop
and determine intent before proceeding
Loaders must not be coasted in neutral
Traffic Guidelines Contd.
Loaders should be parked, whenever
possible on level ground with parking brakes
applied. The bucket must be lowered to the
ground with sufficient pressure to prevent
unwanted movement. If it is necessary to
park or stop a unit, the operator must remain
in the cab unless the equipment is sufficiently
chocked or the wheels are turned into a bank
or pile of material.
Traffic Guidelines Contd.

Windshield and lights must be kept clean and

clear of obstructions
Headlights shall be used by all equipment in
mine areas, under claysheds, and when
conditions warrant
Any equipment having a backup alarm that is
not operating or not working properly shall be
reported immediately to your supervisor and
shall not be operated until repairs are
accomplished
Traffic Guidelines Contd.
Operators shall always be alert for
rocks and other hazardous items in the
roadway and avoid passing over them.
Operators will be particularly careful
when crossing windrows created by
blades or other equipment
Front-End Loader Guidelines

Do not undercut a highwall or stockpile. Stay

within the digging height range of the loader
and check for loose material overhead
Do not get too close to the edge of a cut or
hill. There must be a berm to travel elevated
roadways.
Do not operate a loader where there is an
danger of sliding or tipping
Loader Guidelines Contd.
Go straight up and down slopes. Do not descent a
slope faster than you could climb the slope using
proper gearing
Keep the bucket close to the ground when traveling
Operate the loader on solid ground. Move slowly
over rough areas
Do not us the bucket as a brake except in an
emergency
Enter the bank slowly and squarely with the bucket
parallel to the ground
Loader Guidelines Contd.

Start and stop smoothly when carrying

a load. Keep the bucket low to the
ground for stability and move the
steering wheel smoothly
Do not articulate the loader with people
close to the wheels or center section
Use the bucket to indicate where you
want a truck to stop
Loader Guidelines Contd.

Do not swing the bucket over the cab of any

piece of equipment
Do not hold a full bucket in an elevated
position for long periods of time. Wait with
the bucket lowered to the ground
Watch for cable on the ground and for
overhead power lines and cables
Lower the bucket to the ground and set the
parking brake when the loader is parked
Loader Guidelines Contd.
Check for any mechanical malfunctions
or defects from poor brakes to missing
teeth on the bucket
Personnel shall not ride or be elevated
in the bucket
Fire Safety
The loader shall be shut off and stopped before
being fueled. Smoking is prohibited while fueling
the loader
All fire extinguishers shall be checked prior to
operation the equipment as part of the pre-shift
check
In the event of a fire, your first responsibility is your
own safety and the safety of others in your area. If
using an extinguisher is a risk to you, do not do so.
Immediately report the fire, request assistance and
notify people in your area
Pre-shift Inspection

Always perform a pre-shift inspection

before operating a front-end loader on
the job. Doing a safety inspection gives
you a peace of mind as many operators
may operate the loader throughout the
shifts. A pre-shift inspection prevents
many accidents and breakdowns.
Pre-shift Inspection Contd.

Always set the parking brake before

you begin a safety inspection
Look for leaks, worn parts, missing
parts, debris and trash on the loader
Check fluid levels, warning lights, and
fire suppression systems (if loader is
equipped)
Pre-shift Inspection Contd.

Do an operational check before working

the loader
Follow the pre-shift checklist to inspect
the loader
 Your Responsibility

Inspection and maintenance is your

responsibility. If you believe your loader is
unsafe, report it to your supervisor. It will be
checked and repaired. The most important
part of any safety program is you, the
professional equipment operator. Be alert
and Safe!!
It is your responsibility to ensure proper
servicing of your loader before you put it to
work
Safe Operating

A. Proper Steering
1) Normal steering
Simply turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction
2) Tight Turns Three Point Turn
Reduce ground speed
Turn the wheels in the desired direction of
travel
Safe Operating Contd.
Move the loader as far forward as the turn will
allow
Put the loader in reverse and back up as far
backwards as the turn allows
Turn the wheel in the opposite direction so that
the loader lines up with the new direction of
travel
Go forward while turning the front wheels to the
new direction of travel
Safe Operating Contd.
B. Forward Motion
Before moving the front-end loader,
check for personnel and equipment
around the immediate area of the loader
Follow the start up procedures (see
operators manual)
Adjust and fasten your seat belt
Sound the horn twice, wait 10 seconds
Safe Operating Contd.
Apply the service brake pedal to hold the front end
loader stationary
Release the park brake
Lift the bucket off the ground
Push the transmission selector lever to the forward
position
Release the service brakes
Push down on the accelerator pedal gently to move
the loader forward
Always come to a complete stop before changing
direction of travel
Safe Operating Contd.
C. Reverse Motion
Before moving the loader, check the
immediate area around the loader for
other personnel and equipment
Sound the horn 3 times and wait 10
seconds
Apply the service brake pedal to hold the
loader stationary
Release the park brake
Safe Operating Contd.
Liftthe bucket off the ground
Pull the transmission selector to the
reverse position
Release the service brake

Push down on the accelerator pedal gently

to move the loader backward, checking
your mirrors and view to the rear of the
loader
Safe Operating Contd.
D. Proper Stopping and Parking
Reduce the engine speed by lifting your
foot off the accelerator pedal
Step on the service brake to bring the
loader to a stop
Lower the bucket to the ground and apply
slight down pressure
Perform engine shut down procedure
(see Operators manual)
Safe Operating Contd.
E. Roading
Raise the bucket off the ground
Keep the bucket at least 15 inches above the ground
to give you adequate sight distance
Always start out in low gear and up shift the
transmission to increase your speed
Do Not Coast in Neutral. Always leave the
transmission in gear
Steer with both hands on the wheel and keep
your thumbs out of the steering wheel voids
Safe Operating Contd.
Usethe service brake and downshift to
control speed when going downhill
Always downshift on gear at a time
Maintain a safe speed for condition of the
road
The front end loader tends to bounce when it is
road at a high speed
This is dangerous especially when turning a

curve
Safe Operating Contd.
F. Safety Tips
Follow company traffic rules
Always be on the look out for pedestrian
and small vehicular traffic
QUESTIONS?