Figure 9-9.—Up-and-down pitching of a loader on irregular
terrain.
sufficient working space for the loader. This step
prevents up-and-down pitching of the loader (fig. 9-9)
and results in a smoother digging operation.
Track and wheel spinning should be avoided,
because loader tires are expensive and excessive
spinning of the tires while loading causes premature
wear and tear. Additionally, it converts a smooth
working area into ruts that pitch and tilt the loader. A
smooth working area is safer and more comfortable. It
also puts less wear and tear on the machine and yourself;
therefore, production is increased.
Cross ditches, ridges, rocks, or logs slowly and, if
possible, at an angle. This procedure slows the fall,
lessens the danger of upsetting the loader, and reduces
the jolt of the fall that can harm both the operator and
the loader.
A uniform system of hand signals must be used in
all front-end loader operations. While the authority for
giving signals must be assigned to only one person under
normal working conditions, the responsibility for giving
an emergency stop signal belongs to anyone in the
vicinity who believes such a signal is necessary. The
person giving the signals must be clearly visible to the
operator at all times. Hand signals used in front-end
loader operations are shown in appendix IV.
NOTE: You must recognize and understand these
signals when operating equipment. Additionally, you
must also be able to give them when called on to act as
a signalman during any equipment operation.
Automatic Bucket Leveler
Most 515 B series dresser rubber-tired front-end
loaders used in the NCF have an automatic bucket
Figure 9-10.—Automatic bucket leveler.
leveler located on the underside of the bucket cylinder
(fig. 9-10).
The automatic bucket leveler is preset to stop the
bucket in a horizontal or digging position. A trip bar (1)
is attached to and moves with the cylinder rod. The
proximity switch (2) creates a magnetic field circuit that
is completed by the proximity of the trip bar within the
magnetic field. Once the bucket is dumped, place the
bucket lever in the bucket “rollback” position. When the
bucket reaches its preset position, the trip bar moves out
of the magnetic field circuit created by the proximity
switch and automatically stops. Then the bucket control
lever returns to the “hold” position.
NOTE: Refer to the manufacturer operator’s
manual when the automatic bucket leveler needs
adjustment.
Position Indicator
The general-purpose bucket shown in figure 9-6 is
normally used as a skid shovel. The multipurpose bucket
shown in figure 9-7 serves as a skid shovel, but can also
be used as a bulldozer, scraper, and clamshell.
Most front-end loaders are equipped with six bucket
control lever positions, such as raise, hold, lower, float
dump, and rollback. Dump and rollback can be used
9-6
