Major operating norms

Keep the bucket down

Always move with the bucket down, namely on slopes or during transfers. The bucket, however, should be sufficiently raised from the ground to overcome possible obstacles. Do not use the bucket as a man lift or to carry riders. 20 ÷ 30 cm

F5627

F5631

20 ÷ 30 cm

Avoid tipping over

When working on slopes, do not swing the upperstructure and boom towards the downhill side. When moving heavy loads at the sides of the frame pay attention not to cause the machine to overturn. With a full bucket, pay the utmost attention and care while swinging or lifting the attachment.

WRONG

F5634

27401 6-30060 GB

Work with caution

While working, when the machine is moving or being transported, avoid any contact of the boom and/or dipper with possible overhanging obstacles. Prior to digging, check existence and location of electrical lines, gas ducts, water pipes or other public utilities installations. If in doubt, contact local authorities and/ or the distributing companies (Electric Power, Gas, Telephone, Water, Telecommunications, etc.).

F2451

WARNING

Should optical fibre cables be damaged, do not look into the cable ends to avoid eye injuries.

Never dig under the machine. In case of emergency, should the engine stall and not be possible to restart, it is possible to lower the boom and the bucket safely onto the ground following the “EMERGENCY BOOM LOWERING PROCEDURE“ detailed in this chapter.

F2446

Avoid electric lines

DANGER

Contact with electric lines may cause severe injuries and even death.

When working near electric lines, NEVER MOVE any part of the machine or loads at a distance less than 3 meters plus twice the length of line insulators. Check and behave in compliance with any applicable local regulation. Ground dampness increases the area on which people might be affected by electric shocks. Keep all people and/or assistants away from the working area.

F2445

Check the working area

Always make sure that the work site has sufficient strength to firmly support machine weight.

F2448

Raising one track with boom and arm

Keep the angle between boom and dipper 90° to 110° when lifting the machine using the thrust from the front attachment. Rest the outer (round) side of the bucket onto the ground and use it as the source of force, as shown.

F2453 27401 6-30060 GB

Never travel with the bucket teeth deep into the ground, nor try to dig using the excavator weight as additional digging force. Both operations cause excessive stress on the machine.

WRONG

WRONG

WRONG

27401 6-30060 GB

Traveling in water or on soft terrain

• Do not operate the machine with the front and rear axles, transmission, or front and rear transmission shafts submerged in water.

Avoid traveling in water if possible.

• When traveling in water is unavoidable, the machine may be submerged up to a depth of 30 cm (11.8") as long as the stream bed is even and the water flows slowly.

If the bed is uneven and the water flow is rapid, leave a safety margin in order to guarantee the machine will not be submerged deeper than 30 cm (11.8").

• When operating the machine on muddy ground, mud will easily accumulate on the chassis frame even if the chassis is seldom submerged in muddy water. Check regularly and clean as necessary.

F5635

F12911

Never use the bucket as a hammer. Improper use would damage the bucket and other parts of the front attachment.

Do not use as a crane

Avoid this use in particular as the machine is specifically designed for digging work.

WARNING

In case of occasional use of the machine for lifting work, the use of the special option supplied on request is compulsory. See section: LOAD HANDLING.

Digging hints

• Mainly use arm force to excavate. • Move the arm and bucket control levers back and forth a few times to remove soil stuck to the bucket. • Position the bucket as parallel as possible with the digging direction, and use full-stroke bucket tilt action to effectively fill the bucket. • When digging a trench, position the chassis frame parallel to the trench and move in reverse to dig the trench. • Avoid extending cylinders to stroke ends.

Try to operate cylinders with some distance remaining before stroke ends.

F5951

F5952

F6284

IMPORTANT: Take care not to hit the tyres with the bucket teeth when digging diagonally to the chassis frame.

Machine will receive a large impact load when boom lowering operation is suddenly stopped. Lower the boom as smoothly as possible. Take care not to allow the boom bottom or the bucket cylinder hoses to come into contact with the ground when digging deeply.

F6041 27401 6-30060 GB