Aerial lifts are essential in various industries, but they pose some risks when used improperly. Struck-by accidents, entanglement in moving parts, falls and overloading can occur, making proper maintenance and operating procedures vital for a safe work environment.
A compact crawler lift is a highly stable, versatile and maneuverable aerial work platform perfect for reaching narrow spaces or hard-to-reach areas. When you understand common crawler mistakes and how to avoid them, you can boost jobsite safety, operational efficiency and machine longevity.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learn how to avoid these common mistakes to make your jobsites safer and more efficient:
Mistake 1 — Skipping Pre-Operation Inspections
Pre-operation inspections are crucial for safe operation. Before each use, check your crawler and work area for the following damage and hazards:
- Fluid leaks from the crawler or its hydraulic system
- Low hydraulic fluid, engine oil or coolant levels
- Contaminated fluids
- Visible damage such as dents, rust or cracks
- Loose or missing components
- Missing stabilizer connectors
- Stabilizer pad damage
- Damaged or worn joints
- Hose cracks or kinks
- Exposed wiring
- Worn or loose tracks
- Obstacles or debris in the work area
- Uneven terrain, soft ground, slopes, holes or drop-offs in the work area
- Unusual noises or vibrations during startup
- Malfunctioning lights or alarm systems
Inspections are proactive safety measures that protect your workers and help ensure equipment longevity. If you notice any type of damage, nearby hazards or lift malfunction during your inspection, you should address it immediately to prevent further damage or accidents.
Mistake 2 — Improper Outrigger Placement
Outriggers are essential for crawler stability. Without the proper positioning, a crawler could potentially tip or cause a worker to fall from the equipment's platform. In 2022, 400 workplace injuries occurred due to falls, trips and slips. Follow these precautions to ensure crawler stability:
- Check the owner's manual for specific outrigger placement instructions.
- Move the crawler to a safe distance from nearby structures and objects before setting the outriggers.
- Check your operator's manual to determine how many degrees the outriggers can level.
- Distribute the equipment's load evenly across all of its supports by extending each outrigger to its maximum span.
- Use outrigger mats or cribbing to help distribute the load when positioning the crawler on uneven ground.
- Center pads under each outrigger foot to facilitate even load distribution.
- Consider the work area's allowable ground-bearing pressure.
- Avoid setting outriggers on soft ground.
- Perform a test lift of a small load to verify stability before handling larger loads.
- Properly stow outriggers before moving a lift.
Tracked Lifts offers tracked aerial lifts with advanced features such as auto-leveling, making it easier to properly position outriggers. Auto-leveling helps you set up your crawler and outriggers without the guesswork, resulting in safe positioning your team can trust.
Mistake 3 — Overloading the Basket
Exceeding a compact crawler's weight limit can cause it to tip, especially when maneuvering the machine or working on unstable ground. Overloading the basket can also cause the crawler's hydraulics or lifting mechanism to fail, potentially leading to falls, equipment malfunction, struck-by accidents or downtime. Use the following tips to avoid overloading your crawler's basket:
- Check your owner's manual for the basket or platform's maximum weight capacity.
- Weigh all personnel, tools and materials, adding them together to determine the total weight.
- Try to position personnel, materials and tools evenly on the basket or platform floor, making sure not to concentrate weight on one side.
- Reduce a load's weight if factors such as wind or movement affect the crawler's stability.
Mistake 4 — Ignoring Terrain and Slope Ratings
Terrain and slope ratings are also vital for crawler stability because they affect a machine's ability to maintain balance, traction and control. These guidelines can help you assess slope and terrain conditions:
- Visually inspect terrain for hazards such as steep slopes, soft spots and obstacles.
- Check your crawler's gradability limit in the owner's manual.
- Measure a slope's angle using a slope meter or clinometer, and compare it to your crawler's gradability limit.
- Check soil conditions, and avoid operating on sandy, muddy or soft terrain.
- Avoid operating in snow, rain or icy conditions.
- Drive vertically on slopes rather than horizontally.
- Use a spotter to guide the equipment operator and warn them of potential hazards.
OMMELIFT and Platform Basket models offer advanced stabilization features to provide peace of mind when working on uneven surfaces.
Mistake 5 — Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Regular compact crawler maintenance is vital for longevity and safe, reliable crawler operation. Tracked Lifts can conduct annual inspections and perform structural, hydraulic and electrical repairs on your equipment to keep it in peak condition.
Check your owner's manual for the recommended maintenance intervals and reach out to Tracked Lifts for these routine checks, replacements and services:
- Cleaning
- Lubrication
- Fluid level checks
- Track tension
- Drive belt tension
- Filter replacements
- Oil changes
- Hydraulic, cooling and transmission systems
- Electrical components
Mistake 6 — Rushing or Not Following Safety Guidelines
Proper crawler operation is crucial because it prevents hazards that could lead to falls, collisions, struck-by accidents, entanglement, injuries and equipment damage. Rushing and cutting corners when using a crawler can have serious consequences, so it's important to follow these guidelines:
- Remain focused and aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Maintain slow speeds and avoid sudden movements, especially when working on uneven ground.
- Always perform pre-operation inspections, even when short on time or behind schedule.
- Maintain clear communication between equipment operators, spotters, workers in the crawler's bucket or platform, and nearby individuals.
- Use safety devices such as alarms and interlocks when appropriate.
- Ensure operators have the proper training.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating or working near a compact crawler.
- Prioritize safety over speed.
Every Tracked Lifts compact crawler lift comes with safety features like harnesses, anti-tilt systems and overload sensors to prioritize worker safety.
Importance of Choosing the Right Crawler
Choosing the right equipment enhances safety and efficiency. Aim to choose a crawler that's easy to operate and has ample safety features. Tracked Lifts offers multi-terrain compact crawlers with the following advantages:
- Purposeful design perfect for tree care and various applications such as construction, maintenance and power line work
- Protected hydraulics that can move through branches without breaking
- Dual hydraulic redundancies to prevent accidents and equipment damage if an outrigger loses pressure
- Deployment ability of up to 40% or 21.8 degrees on slopes for greater stability
- Durable armored components you can depend on
- Easy-to-learn controls and straightforward operation
Enhance Safety and Efficiency With a Reliable Compact Crawler From Tracked Lifts
Choosing the right compact crawler and avoiding common mistakes is crucial for safe, efficient operation. Prioritizing safety helps you protect workers, prevent serious injuries and extend your equipment's lifespan.
Tracked Lifts offers high-quality multi-terrain aerial lifts to meet your needs. We provide reliable, versatile and safe solutions for your aerial applications, equipping you with special safety features and easy-to-use controls for safer operation.
Our experts have over 15 years of industry experience, and we can help you choose the perfect aerial lift for your precise applications and jobsite conditions. Whether you perform tree care, construction, maintenance, utility work, painting or power washing, you can depend on our lifts. Contact us to learn more or request a consultation.
