Beyond heavy lifting: loaders perform a variety of tasks from material handling to primary demolition and site clean up

Construction & Demolition Recycling, Sept-Oct, 2004 by DeAnne Toto

Jay Barth of JCB Inc., Footer, Ga., says steel-belted, severe-duty mining tires have good characteristics in C&D recycling applications, He says these tires may be a bit easier to change than the foam-filled tires, which can be difficult to dismount.

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While loaders generally come standard with Level I ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) and FOPS (Falling-Object Protective Structures) certification from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), cabs can be further reinforced for added safety in demolition applications. Additionally, a number of machine guards can also help to increase machine durability in taxing demolition environments.

"When considering optional equipment for this application, operator safety is the primary consideration," Jack Bolton of Volvo Construction Equipment, Asheville, N.C., says, However, he says that reinforced cabs are not necessarily needed for a wheel loader at work on a demolition site.

"Most current wheel loaders must meet strict guidelines for ROPS and FOPS safety standards. Be sure to check with the manufacturer that all equipment working in this environment is both ROPS and FOPS certified." Bolton suggests,

He cautions, however, that equipping a loader with solid, hybrid or foam-filled tires may violate the ROPS rating. "The added weight of the heavier tires might mean that total machine weight exceeds the manufacturer's ROPS certification," Bolton says.

Skid steers manufactured by Gehl, West Bend, Wisc., come standard with Level II FOPS. "We feel it is strong enough that we include it as a standard feature because it gives more overhead cab protection to the operator," Gehl Product Manager Kelly Moore says.

Lance Mathern of Bobcat Co., West Fargo, Ind., says SAE FOPS Level II certification is intended for protection from falling trees or rocks for machines involved in site clearing, overhead demolition or forestry applications. Mathern says that contractors may also want to consider special application kits, such as a Lexan door, which helps to keep objects from entering the cab.

Jay Barth and David Morice of JCB Inc., Pooler, Ga., also recommend window guards for loaders involved in demolition applications.

Neil Leblanc of Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., suggests that contractors may want to consider "bullet-proof" glass to protect the operator from small flying debris or easily replaceable glass for quick repairs,

"If choosing optional safety glass," Bolton says, "note that curved glass is safer than flat glass. Curved windshields deflect energy from impact much better than a fiat piece of glass."

For compact equipment that may be used for interior demolition. Mike Ross of Takeuchi, Buford, Ga., recommends aspirator mufflers and spark arresters to limit emissions and the threat of fire.

The author is associate editor of C&DR magazine and can be contacted by e-mail at dtoto@gie.net.