There are many companies looking for a digger derrick truck today. These vehicles are valuable pieces of machinery used for drilling soil and making jobs such as mining, construction, pole installation, and well-digging faster and easier to accomplish; however, like most mechanical equipment, operation has some risks. Working around a massive rotating bit can be dangerous, so workers should know all of the hazards involved in using this truck as well as the safety guidelines set forth to avoid any accidents on the work site.

Regular Maintenance

In order to keep a digger derrick safe to use, the process begins by conducting regular maintenance. This vehicle is composed of a standard truck frame, a boom, and a large auger bit. Each of these components is made up of thousands of moving metal parts such as bearings and metal shafts that require regular oiling and replacement. Failure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules and replacement intervals will eventually cause some parts to break down and fail. At this point, continued use of the vehicle can be very dangerous, as damaged parts can make the equipment highly unpredictable.

Maintenance on the truck should include regular engine tune-ups as well as oil and filter replacement. The digger derrick is hydraulically powered, which means hydraulic fluid is used to transmit the power coming from the engine to move the hydraulic rams that support the boom and rotate the massive auger bit. Maintenance on the digger derrick should include regular inspection and replacement of hydraulic fluid as recommended by the manufacturer. Although this fluid runs in a closed circuit, metal shavings from moving parts and pressure will eventually pollute the liquid which, if not replaced, can cause severe damage to the system’s delicate components.

Daily Inspection and Testing

Before taking the equipment on the road, it is important to conduct daily inspections and testing. Every component should be visually inspected for parts that may have been damaged during the previous operation. The tires should be checked for any cuts that could rupture; the undercarriage should be checked for any oil leaks that may be coming from the engine or the hydraulic system. Lights should be checked to ensure that they are in good working condition. The auger should also be checked for cracks as well as any bent or loose parts, as this component faces a lot of wear and any loose component could turn into shrapnel once the auger rotates.

Once the condition of the components is verified visually, the next step is to operate the vehicle and its components to verify for any unusual performance; these inspections should be done on a daily basis.

Site Inspection

The work site is another important factor to consider in the safe operation of this equipment. Before he vehicle is deployed, it is important to inspect the ground conditions of the site. The digger derrick requires its outriggers to be deployed first in order to gain stability before engaging its augers. The ground has to be solid enough to support the weight of the outriggers. Operators should see to it that there are no underground structures that could cave in under the weight of the equipment.

The operating space should also be checked for any obstructions such as tree branches, power lines or any other structures, as maneuvering the auger into place requires an ample amount of aerial space. The equipment should be grounded in case an underground power line is accidentally hit by the auger. The ground should also be checked for any buried landscape netting as it could easily become entangled in the auger and cause an accident.

Operation Guidelines

During operation, workers should keep a safe distance of at least 30 feet away from the auger bit. Only a trained operator should handle the equipment and proper protective gear should be used at all times, including goggles, hard hats, gloves, steel-toed shoes, and reflective vests. This gear will protect the operator in case an accident should occur during the operation of the digger.

The digger derrick is a vital type of machinery used by construction companies for jobs that require digging soil at a fast rate of speed. When operating this equipment, safety is a factor that should never be overlooked, as a digger can be very dangerous to use. Hopefully this article has provided some helpful tips on how to improve safety when operating a digger derrick!