Safety First When Operating Cranes And Other Lifting Equipment – Part 3

Continuing from part 2…

There is also other equipment that can be used for handling different materials efficiently. Backhoe loaders are common material handlers. They are designed to dig and load, which is exactly what material handlers are supposed to do. The design of the tool carriers has recently been included in the caterpillar backhoe loaders, which resulted in extremely flexible material handlers. There are few drive configurations and a variety of sizes to choose from. Although the backhoe loaders are considered farm machinery, today they are commonly used in many construction projects. The caterpillar backhoe loaders can be equipped with two couplers on both ends. On the loader side, many different buckets can be attached for performing different actions (such as material-handling arms, bale spear, loader forks, etc.), while on the other side, a quick coupler for easy and quick bucket change is the best option.

Other equipment for material handling includes many types of loaders. The wheel loaders equipped with quick couplers and the integrated tool carriers are very similar, but they still have few differences. The tool carrier is designed as a multipurpose tool. It can dig holes, lift things of various weights and push dirt, as it is designed to accommodate the quick coupler. The tool carrier can handle tough hydraulic flows. The wheel loaders are also great material handlers, but they are general purpose tools. The integrated tool carriers and the wheel loaders can be equipped with a wide selection of attachments in order to perform different material handling jobs. Also, there are many different forks available, designed to make the material handling safer, easier and faster.

The compact track and the skid-steer loaders can also be classified as material handlers. These machines can be equipped with either vertical or radial lift arms configuration. The main difference is that the vertical lift loaders move the load from the ground straight to the top of the travel path. Loaders with such configurations are used as material handlers, not as earth-movers. However, many loaders operate more efficiently with radial arm configuration, because it generates a greater downward pressure.

Additionally, the compact track and the skid-steer loaders can come with different buckets, lifting arms, buckets and fork attachments. Today, all-wheel-steer skid steer loaders can be found, which have improved material handling characteristics.