Landscape Safety: Using the Skid-Steer Loader Safely

BEFORE YOU BEGIN OPERATIONS

• Read the operator's manual carefully to learn the characteristics of the machine.
• Depending upon the job, you should wear some or all of the following safety equipment: sturdy pants and shirt, hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, safety shoes, gloves, and respirator.
• The loader should be equipped with seatbelts, rollover protective structure (ROPS), side screens, starter interlock switches, backup alarm system, and warning lights for maximum safety.
• Fill the engine with fuel when engine is shut off and still cool. Do not smoke. Wipe up any spills immediately.
• Check the machine daily for broken, loose, or damaged parts.
• Check to see that counterweights as recommended by the manufacturer are in place. NOTE: This is very important as improperly balanced skid-steer loaders are easily upset.
• Clean steps, pedals, and floor of any slippery substances.
• Clear the driving compartment of loose items that might interfere with the controls.
• Check the work area for hazards such as holes, soft spots, and obstructions. Check overhead for utility lines, doorway clearances, or other obstructions.
• Mount the machine wearing clean, dry shoes using the grab bars or handrails provided.

• Adjust the seat, fasten the seat belt, set the brake, and place transmission in park or neutral before cranking the engine.
• Visually check for the presence of others in the area and warn them away. Be especially alert for children.
• If the machine is garaged leave the door or some windows open for ventilating the exhaust. CARBON MONOXIDE KILLS!
• Start the engine and check all controls to see that they are functioning properly.
• Check horn and backup alarm to see that they are working.
• Operate with caution on uneven surfaces. Avoid steep slopes completely.
• Carry the load as low as possible. Avoid sharp turns and slopes with a raised load.
• Keep the back of the machine pointed uphill. BACK UP AND DRIVE DOWN!
• Operate with extreme caution near areas with sharp dropoffs.
• Do not undercut banks or materials that are piled high, to avoid falling rocks or cave-ins.
• Be alert, when backfilling, for unstable soils that could collapse under the weight of the machine.
• Never leave the machine without first lowering the bucket, stopping the engine, setting the parking brake, and placing the shift in park or neutral.
• If stopping for any length of time lock the ignition and remove the key.