Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/853705
AGGREGATES MANAGER / August 2017 19 Keep the crown consistent Train operators on tools and techniques Involve employees Inconsistency with the road crown causes road damage and can drive up costs because the motor grader will need to be in use more often, and trucks will have more diffi culty navigating haul roads. Good roads improve production and extend tire life, which reduces overall operating costs. Although road main- tenance is a cost, it's also an investment to ensure equipment or trucks aren't up on blocks due to dam- age or tire issues. Each equipment manufacturer has suggested service intervals, but some operations have found success with more frequent maintenance. At Vista Sand, an oil change and oil sample analysis is performed ev- ery 250 hours on each piece of equipment. Operators also conduct a pre-shift and post-shift inspection and check in with the resident mechanic for additional input before a major failure happens. Motor grader operators can increase their effi ciency with moving heavy blade loads by leaning the tops of wheels toward the heel, which creates counteract- ing force against the side draft and helps the grader track straight. When building ditches, lean tires away from the ditch back slope to prevent sidewall damage and toward the ditch back slope to pack material. When grading on a slope, operators should lean tires into the slope to provide better grip and away from the slope for better stability — i.e. more contact area. 2 3 4