Card 05.01 Brush cutters

THE RISKS:

Balance loss and overturning risk (during tractor-brush cutter transfer caused by unevenness and ruggedness of the ground and the rising of the machine's centre of mass due to the lifted arm)
Lifter turnover (while separating the arm from the tractor; during machine's moving phase; due to subsidence of the ground; to wrong bearing positioning; after accidental bumps and unevenness of the ground)
Crushing (during linking operations and due to wrong fixing)
Material projection (in particular objects in ditches or next to the road verge, stones, bolts, cans, irons, broken tools etc)
Lifting arms fall (due to sudden hydrostatic pressure reduction caused by hose breaking, wear and tear, components breakdown or bumps)
High pressure oil squirt (hose's break or wear)
Running over, crushing, contact (with the arm moving components and moving devices)
Electrocution (power overhead wires contact)
Sudden bump (accidental control activation)

PRACTICAL AND OPERATING INDICATIONS:

Brush cutters are used next to the farm limit, on public roads and on other's private property where strangers may be present. People shall be warned and kept at a safe distance (15m at least).

During machine's moving phase:

the arm shall be kept in "close" position;
the worker shall not ascend/climb up steer slopes (check the maximum slope authorized by the builder);
the worker shall keep safe running speed;
the worker shall avoid sharp braking;
the worker shall always check tyre pressure.

Separating operations shall be performed on flat land with firm ground, easy to enter and away from other vehicles' transit.

If, due to poor visibility, help from a second operator is needed, he/she must keep away from the dangerous zone: not in front of the lifter or near the tractor wheel, but in lateral position and he/she must always be visible to the driver.

While activating the gudgeon insertion lever (connecting phase), check the performance of the lever and the insertion of the safety pin.

During maintenance operations:

the operator shall check the integrity and functionality of the lifter throttle valves placed on the hydraulic cylinder rod;
suitable metallic locking supports or other devices provided by the builder shall be used.

II is necessary to substitute hoses following the indications of the maintenance handbook, and they shall be protected by extra sheath.

Non protected hoses, under operating pressure higher than 50 bar, shall be placed at 1 m at least from the worker.

Operator shall always keep good visibility.

Manoeuvres areas must always be bounded and identified by suitable warning signals and shall be kept free from pedestrians and animals.

During manoeuvres worker shall keep at a safe distance, even in height. Operator must pay attention to any power overhead wire in the working area (particularly in the centre of the farm above 4 m of height).

Command levers shall:

have nameplates with symbols indicating their functions;
be activated only with "dead man switch";
be provided with a protective bow to avoid operator's accidental bumps causing their activation.

FURTHER INDICATIONS AND ADVICE

It is necessary to check compatibility with tractors and respect predefined loads.
It is necessary to check plumbing system integrity and right connections during parking phase before putting pressure on the device which manages the hydraulic circuit.
It is necessary to check arm bearings maintenance (when it is separated from tractor) and put them in upright position, adjusting their height.
It is necessary to check always fixing and transport procedures and the machine steadiness according to ground conditions.
It is necessary to appraise necessary manoeuvre rooms, spot any obstacle on the vehicle's way and check visibility conditions.
Operator shall not draw closer the machine's moving devices to perform setting operations with inserted transmission and running engine.
Worker shall avoid wearing fluttering clothes (use rubber band on wrists and ankles).