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Tips to Use Your Dozer Safely

Dec. 14 2021 Safety By RECO Equipment

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Bulldozers are high-performance machines and they are an essential part of most construction and mining projects. You can use these versatile units for earthmoving tasks including digging, excavating, and leveling dirt.

The heavy metal tracks on which bulldozers move make them ideal for rough terrain, and you should avoid using your machine on asphalt and finished concrete. Follow this guide for more safety tips on using your bulldozer. For more information, connect with our experts at RECO Equipment. We serve our customers in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Perform Pre-Operation Inspection

Before starting your machine, thoroughly inspect its key components to ensure safe and efficient operation. You'll want to examine the tracks, undercarriage, bucket cylinders, loader arms, and the various engine compartments, among others. Make sure that your batteries are working as well and top off any low-level fluid before you begin to work.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Next, you will want to ensure that you are dressed appropriately for driving a bulldozer. Your PPE should include safety clothing and reflective vests (to remain visible), hard hats, safety boots, and eye protection, especially in windy conditions. You can even wear ear protection and a pair of gloves with a firm grip when handling cable or any other material with a high risk of injury.

You must also ensure that you are wearing your seat belt before starting the engine and stay buckled in for the entire duration until you dismount.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Another safety tip you will want to keep in mind when operating your dozer is to be aware of your surroundings.

Be observant of your blind spots and the surfaces you are working on. The outer edges of the road you are working on or the freshly filled ditch or trench you have just built can give way under the heavy weight of your bulldozer. Determine the stability of the material you are driving your machine over, and then act accordingly. This is also why you must avoid using your dozer on frozen ground or loose rocks.

You will also want to avoid overhead wires, such as power lines or water mains, to prevent your machine from getting caught on anything.

Maintain Your Machine Regularly

In addition to all the points above, you will want to ensure you are regular with your bulldozer’s general upkeep. This means you will need to perform preventive maintenance checks on your machine per your manufacturer’s recommendations. These checks will help you identify any potential issues before they become major problems down the line.

A few maintenance checks are:

  • Maintaining the tires or tracks of your machine.
  • Checking that the console controls are functional.
  • Examining the pressure in the hydraulic controls.
  • Inspecting the responsiveness of the braking system.
  • Ensuring that the air, oil, and fuel filters are clean and functional.

We hope this guide helps you use your dozer safely and efficiently. If you have any questions or need more advice to use your machine, visit RECO Equipment. Our friendly staff can address your concerns and share a tip or two on using your heavy machinery. We happily serve the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, so reach out today.