Monday, February 25, 2013
If you look at any equipment literature, you will notice at once that the most important change on the last several years is increased productivity. Next to this follows greater comfort and safety. These are actually the results of different advancements that allow machines to respond faster to increased power demands.
Most of the newer models of machineries have electronic controls which will actually optimize fuel consumption, hydraulic system, and engine and transmission performance. One example of this is the electronically controlled power shift transmissions of the mid-sized G series wheel loaders of CAT (Caterpillar). Each of its transmission has an electronic clutch pressure control that smooth shifts the gears and an auto-shift capability that ease the pressure on the operator.
Manufacturers today give utmost importance to the comfort and convenience of machine operators. Since good machine operators are hard to find these days, manufacturers need to find ways to make their job easier and more efficient and productive. They have come up with new equipment designs that offer reduced noise and vibration, improved comfort and better visibility. The new control system also requires less effort for both the experienced and the inexperienced operator.
Aside from that, machines nowadays already have electronic monitoring systems that provide constant information on the state or health of the machine. These systems provide information to technicians, including service modes which will help them diagnose conditions more quickly and make their routine maintenance much easier.
If you compare the heavy equipment today to the machines of the past, you will see that the changes are for better. The machines of the past relied more on the skills and techniques of the operator whilst the heavy equipment today comes with electronic features. These electronics make the life of an operator easier since he does not have to go out and check the fluids anymore. All he needs to do is take a look at the instrument panel of the machine, which actually saves a lot of time.
Operators who’ve handled machines of the past know firsthand that it cannot compete with the machines of today. With the advancement of technology, it makes you wonder how great heavy machinery will get and what other features it will have to make the life of an operator even easier than it is today.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Even if an excavation company plans out a project carefully, there will really come a time when there is not enough equipment available to work the requirements of a project. At some point, you will be running out of time and the choices you will have are between buying the machines you need or renting them out.
Now, it is not going to be easy to make these kinds of decisions. There are a number of factors you’ll need to consider.
Rental Price
The price to rent will vary and depend on what type of equipment you need. Some may cost as much as 12,000 dollars a month, just like the off road dump trucks and excavators. Even if you own a big and profitable company and are working on a big project, such price is definitely outrageous! This is because some rental companies make a killing with the machines they rent out. You can rent their equipment on a daily or weekly basis and price can be very high or just right, depending on what area you work in.
Buying
If you work on large projects more often, need more equipment and don’t want to rent, then you should choose to buy your equipment. This will save you money in the long run, provided you’ll be using the equipment again. However, if you only need the machine for one or two projects then it will be wise for you to just rent it. You won’t own the equipment but you don’t want to buy anything you won’t be using either.
Servicing
One of the advantages of renting the equipment is that your company won’t be responsible for fixing anything that breaks. It is the company you rent the machine from that is responsible for any repairs since you don’t own the equipment. The price for repair is usually included in the rental contract. Hence, if something goes wrong, you just need to call the company and they will come and fix the problem.
On the contrary, if you choose to buy the equipment then your company will be responsible for the repairs and regular maintenance and services of the equipment.
Aside from the factors mentioned above, you also need to consider your finances. If you cannot afford to buy the machinery then you should go with renting. So whether you decide to rent or buy, what is more important is you’ll get the machines you need to accomplish your job and stay ahead of time.
Monday, February 18, 2013
There are some pieces of heavy equipment that require weeks instead of years of training. One of these equipment is the excavator. I found out that I only need to have six weeks of full-time training in order to become an excavator operator. During this training I will learn about all aspects of operating the excavator from controls, grading and soil types to safety and maintenance. This also includes certification and personal protective gears. I need not worry about the training cost since most schools provide information on how a student can secure funding to pay for the cost of the course.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Whenever heavy machinery is being used, appropriate safety measures should be taken to ensure people and property do not get hurt or damaged. The machine operator is the most important safety feature in any piece of equipment since it is really dangerous when not operated properly. Therefore, the operator needs to be adequately trained in safety procedures and in operating the machine in order to prevent injury and damage.
Excavator safety requires knowing and understanding the functions of an excavator. And it starts with being aware of the position of the lip of the hole and being sure that the bucket does not dig very closely to the tracks. Hence, the excavator operator must avoid creating an undercut as this will increase the likelihood of a cave-in. Keep in mind also that overloading the bucket could cause the machine to tip over or become unstable. It is very important that the operator is aware of the load limits of the machine in order to ensure safety.
Another way to ensure excavator safety is to make sure it has enough fuel before the operator begins to use it. The machine should be able to operate at all times, especially during an emergency wherein the operator needs to dump an unstable load. If the fuel of the excavator is on low level, it may shut down unexpectedly and create an unstable and dangerous situation. Another good step to ensure excavator safety is to conduct visual inspection for damage or other unsafe conditions of the machine prior to operation.
Another safety priority in operating an excavator is assessing if the ground is safe to drive. Avoid driving on unstable grounds. Also, the operator should avoid positioning the machine very closely to the edge of a ditch or hole. The excavator should not operate in an area where people are inside the ditch or hole and the operator should wait until all the other workers are clear. People working outside of the machine should also be aware of its function and avoid getting caught in the tracks, being contacted by the bucket, or being caught in a cave-in.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Bumped into a friend last night and he asked me if I know how to use or perhaps operate a digger. A digger you say? Is that the one I use when I do some gardening in my backyard? With a straight and serious look from my friend, I quickly retracted my words. A digger, or an excavator to be specific, was actually one of the things I wanted to get my hands on and drive.
Excavators are toys for heavy equipment drivers and have earned the respect of utility and construction workers worldwide. However, one has to set aside time to read its operator’s manual, become familiar with its control, knobs, and buttons and get as much training in running and operating the excavator. The different warning labels, charts and instructions that can be seen stuck onto the many parts and pieces of the excavator will guide you in operating and performing maintenance on the machine. And since I want to try this kind of toy, I’d better get as much training and information about running and operating an excavator before I get my hands on it. Will keep you posted once I start on my training, so ta ta for now!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Working in a confined space is like putting your life in danger especially if you don’t have the right safety gears and the proper training in identifying and controlling the risks involved when you expose yourself to the hazardous elements inside the confined place. Generally, confined rooms or chambers offer restricted entry and exit. Examples of these are sewers, pits, silos, manholes, pipes and storage tanks. These places pose risk for workers because of its physical features and the hazardous elements present in them. Some of the risks are:
• Poor air circulation and ventilation
• Restricted entry and exit
• Presence of toxic chemicals
• Existence of fire hazard materials
• Toxic fumes, dust, and gases
Almost all companies have confined spaces. People may get inside a confined space every now and then. Without adequate training, they are in danger. The training should include assessment and monitoring of confined spaces, especially during the duration of occupation. For example, detection of oxygen inadequacy or the presence of toxic fumes and gases while inside a confined space should prompt wearing of appropriate breathing apparatus. Whereas enclosed spaces with flammable gases pose fire hazard when it reaches a certain concentration. Hence, it is important that appropriate fire resistant is worn while working inside in the area and at the same time fire safety equipment should be at hand.
This is the reason why managers and company owners should send their workers to various industrial safety training programs including confined space training. They should not ignore the value of safety training. Employees with adequate occupational safety training undeniably reduce the chances of accidents at work and with this training they would be an asset to your company.
Managers or company owners need to go through safety training as well. It is important that they also know the safety measures. They ought to motivate their employees to uphold safety and keep the workplace a safe place for everyone. Remember, it is not just the responsibility of some people to keep an occupational site safe but it is the responsibility of everyone.