TRAILER SAFETY
Luke Hierlihy luke@troutriverindustries.ca
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Contents Safety ................................................................................................................................................2 Labels ................................................................................................................................................3 Ladder ...............................................................................................................................................4 Hydraulic system ...............................................................................................................................5 Air system..........................................................................................................................................6 Electrical system ................................................................................................................................7 Conveyor system ...............................................................................................................................8 During maintenance...........................................................................................................................9 During unload ....................................................................................................................................9 Tailgate ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Tarp system (Side roll or End to end) ................................................................................................ 11 Attachments .................................................................................................................................... 12 Rear lift ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Contact us ....................................................................................................................................... 14
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Safety The Trout River Trailer is not “just a trailer”, it is also a powerful machine with various mechanisms that could be potentially dangerous. In this manual we discuss some of these mechanisms and their dangers. We use the term “pinch point” often. A pinch point is simply any point where it is possible for a body part to be caught between moving and stationary components of the trailer. Injuries have never been an issue with Trout River, and we would like to keep it that way. The purpose of this manual is to be sure everyone understands the dangers involved, and stays safe.
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Labels The following are the safety related stickers on a Trout River live bottom trailer. If your trailer is missing any, or you wish to add additional safety labels, contact us at Trout River
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Ladder • • •
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The trout river standard ladder is rated for a max of 250 lbs, do not exceed this limit The top ladder rung is not meant to be a step, it is only there as a “hand-hold”; do not use as a step The standard ladder is a solid, fixed in place ladder. With no moving parts it does not offer any pinch points o Trout river does offer a variety of different ladders that hinge, or separate. (Figure 1) Each of these contains a spring bolt that holds each in place o Be aware that each moving part in these ladders offers a potential “pinch point” and care should be taken during use Every ladder presents a fall hazard, so be careful, and sure of footing, when ladder is in use
Figure 1. Flip down ladder
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Hydraulic system •
The trailer hydraulic system is designed to run in access of 2500 psi, this amount of pressure could be very dangerous o A small leak at this pressure can penetrate the skin with oil, which could lead to amputation
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always take care when connecting hydraulic lines, that it is done properly, and replace any damaged hydraulic components immediately Always be sure system pressure is relieved before maintenance Always connect return line first and disconnect last If a potential leak is spotted, shut of system immediately and do not investigate until shut off
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Air system •
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The trailers air system can be dangerous o If air enters the blood stream, it could cause death o An air blowout could cause partial or total loss of sight or hearing Replace any damaged air system components immediately Many air components contain powerful springs, such as the brake cans o Care should be taken when working with or near these components
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Electrical system • •
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The trailers electrical runs on 12 volts Although 12v is generally fairly harmless, many injuries from electrical shock are secondary injuries. o Examples of this would be jerking your hand away and cutting your arm on something sharp, falling off a ladder, etc. Be aware of your surroundings when connecting/disconnecting/maintaining electrical systems Do not work “hot” unless necessary
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Conveyor system • •
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All moving parts can be dangerous Be aware of all points where the conveyor system is exposed, each pose a potential threat o Some of these points are; Inspection doors, the front of the trailer where the oilers are located, seals at the front and rear inside of the trailer, belt scraper, and most points underneath the trailer Never enter trailer with conveyor in operation Never go under the trailer with conveyor in operation When conveyor is running be sure to keep all body parts, clothing, hair etc. clear of inspection doors, conveyor belt, or any other moving parts; failure to do so could result in serious injury
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During maintenance • •
When working on the trailer it is recommended that it be done with all power systems disconnected Certain procedures require power systems being connected and active, when working in this circumstance be aware of all present dangers
During unload •
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When trailer is unloading material can fall towards the left or right of the tub o Be sure to stand clear of the rear of the trailer, as to not get injured from load exiting the tub Be sure no one is near the rear of the trailer when the operator begins to unload
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Tailgate • •
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The tailgate is a potential hazard when opening or closing, as it opens and closes with a good amount of speed and force. There are also many pinch points on the different tailgates we offer Be very careful when opening or closing the tailgate that you, and everyone else is clear of the tailgate o We also offer tailgates that open and move as 2 or more parts. Inspect your tailgate to determine the dangers it presents Also, on or near the tailgate are the door locks o These move quickly and powerfully and would have the ability to cause injury if a body part were caught in it o Keep clear when locking the tailgate
Standard door
Knife gate
Door locks
Manual grain door
Hydraulic grain door
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Tarp system (Side roll or End to end) • • •
The tarp system could be dangerous in the proper circumstances When the tarp is being opened or closed, be sure the operator, or any person, is not in, or on the trailer Potential pinch points could be associated with cables and pulleys, chain and sprockets, or the tub and the tarp depending on the specific tarp system. Contact tarp manufacturer for details.
End to end tarp
Side Roll tarp
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Attachments •
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Trout river offers different attachments, each have potential pinch points o Our line up of attachments includes the shouldering attachment, spreader, and salt spreader The shouldering attachment is simply a conveyor o This means that care should be taken around seals, and all edges of the belt, as well as around the shafts/rollers that the belt runs on, as these are all moving parts
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The spreader attachment is the simplest of designs, it has a door on the bottom, that is opened and closed by air power. The adjustable opening allows an even layer of discharge o Be aware when opening and closing the “door” that no body parts are in the way of opening or closing, or are in the mechanism
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The salt spreader consists of an auger that feeds onto a spreader wheel, which then throws the salt o The auger is guarded and cannot be seen from to outside of the spreader. o Do not enter the spreader while in use, as it is possible to get caught in the auger from the inside o The spreader wheel also requires caution while in use, as it spins in an unguarded housing. o Keep body parts clear of the wheel o Take note of all safety labels
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Rear lift The rear lift has all dangers associated with a standard live bottom, but with the following added •
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The rear lift uses 2 hydraulic cylinders to lift the rear of the tub up in the air. The tub stays connected to the bogie by 2 pivoting frames, 1 of which slides o Pinch points on the rear lift mechanism are slow moving, but dangerous, as there is a lot of weight and force associated with each o To stay safe, do not go in, or near, the rear lift as it lifts or lowers The most obvious pinch point would be between the tub, the bogie, and the x braced frames o The front frame is actually 2 separate pieces connected by a slider, which could shear anything that happened to get caught in it The cylinders pivot slightly, which creates a potential pinch point between the cylinder and the lower cylinder mount, or the fenders Never get between tub and bogie, when lifted, unless tub is propped up with a strong “prop rod”, and has no risk of falling Be aware that as the tub rises, the bogie moves forward. o When lifting or lowering the tub, be sure no one is in the path of the bogie
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Contact us
I hope you found this helpful and informative. For any questions regarding this manual, or to request other information, please contact me.
Luke Hierlihy Dealer support Representative luke@troutriverindustries.ca 902-853-1614 Troutriverindustries.ca