Standardized process for excavator operation

I. Pre - operation Preparations

Equipment Inspection

• Appearance Check: Examine the excavator body for obvious damage, oil leakage, loose screws, etc., and ensure the crawlers and tires have normal air pressure.
• Fluid Check: Check whether the levels of engine oil, hydraulic oil, coolant, etc., are within the specified range, and whether the oil quality is good.
• Electrical System: Check if lights, horns, instrument panels, etc., work normally, and ensure no short circuits or open circuits in the circuit.

Site Survey

• Understand the terrain of the work site, soil properties (such as softness or presence of rocks), and the surrounding environment (buildings, power lines, pedestrians, etc.), and plan the driving route and operation scope.
• Remove obstacles in the work area, such as trees, stones, debris, etc., to avoid affecting operations or causing equipment damage.

Safety Equipment

• Operators must wear safety equipment such as safety helmets, work clothes, and non - slip shoes. It is prohibited to work in slippers, sandals, or loose clothing.
• Check if the seat belt is secure to ensure the body is fixed during operation and avoid accidental injuries.

II. Basic Operation Procedures

(1) Starting and Driving

• Starting the Engine
• Insert the key, rotate it to the "ON" position, and wait for the instrument panel indicator lights to complete self - inspection (e.g., oil pressure, charging indicator lights, etc., go out).
• Depress the accelerator pedal to about 1/3, press the start button to start the engine. After starting, let it idle for 3 - 5 minutes to preheat the engine and hydraulic system.
• Driving Operation
• Crawler Excavator: Control the crawlers to move forward or backward through the left and right control levers. Push the left lever forward for the left crawler to advance; push the right lever forward for the right crawler to advance; push both levers forward simultaneously for the excavator to move forward; pull back to reverse. For turning, use a single control lever, e.g., keep the left lever still and push the right lever forward to turn the excavator left.
• Wheel Excavator: Use the steering wheel to control the direction, depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate, and depress the brake pedal to decelerate or stop. When driving, pay attention to the road conditions and avoid high - speed driving on steep slopes or muddy roads.

(2) Operation (Taking Common Excavation Operations as an Example)

• Control Devices
• Left Control Lever: Controls the boom and slewing. Push forward to lower the boom; pull back to raise the boom; push left to slew the excavator left; push right to slew the excavator right.
• Right Control Lever: Controls the stick and bucket. Push forward to extend the stick; pull back to retract the stick; push left to curl the bucket inward (loading soil); push right to curl the bucket outward (unloading).
• Foot Pedals: Control walking, and the foot pedals of some excavators can also assist in controlling the slewing speed.
• Excavators usually have two control levers (one on the left and one on the right) and foot pedals:
• Excavation Steps
• Positioning: Drive the excavator to the work position, adjust the body balance, keep the crawlers or tires at an appropriate distance (generally 1 - 2 meters) from the work surface, and ensure the excavator is stable.
• Bucket Digging: Lower the boom to make the bucket contact the ground, then retract the stick while curling the bucket inward, using the cutting force of the bucket to excavate soil or materials. Pay attention to controlling the force during excavation to avoid the bucket hitting hard objects like rocks.
• Loading or Transporting: When the bucket is full, raise the boom, simultaneously slew the excavator above the loading vehicle or , then extend the stick and curl the bucket outward to unload. Operate slowly when unloading to avoid material spillage.
• Leveling Operation: If leveling the ground is required, flatten the bucket, drive at a low speed, and scrape the ground flat by controlling the movements of the boom and stick.

III. Safety Precautions

Personnel Safety

• Prohibit non - operators from entering the work area. Always observe the surrounding environment during operation, especially during slewing, to ensure no personnel are near.
• When working on a slope, the angle between the excavator and the slope should be less than 30° to avoid rollover due to unstable center of gravity. In case of an emergency, stop operation immediately and evacuate to a safe area.

Equipment Safety

• It is strictly forbidden to operate overloaded, that is, the weight of materials loaded in the bucket shall not exceed the rated load of the excavator to avoid damaging the hydraulic system or causing equipment overturning.
• Avoid long - term operation of the excavator in high - temperature environments. If abnormal conditions such as excessive engine temperature or overheated hydraulic oil are found, stop the machine immediately for inspection, and resume operation after the temperature drops.
• After the operation, park the excavator on a flat and solid ground, lower the boom and bucket, turn off the engine, pull out the key, and take anti - skidding measures (such as placing stones under the crawlers).

Operations in Special Scenarios

• Night Operation: All lights must be turned on to ensure sufficient lighting in the work area, and reduce the operation speed to avoid accidents due to poor visibility.
• Rainy or Snowy Day Operation: Pay attention to slippery roads, reduce the slewing and walking speed, and prevent the excavator from slipping. After operation, promptly remove the mud and snow from the crawlers and tires to avoid affecting the next use.
• Operation Near Power Lines: Maintain a safe distance (generally at least 5 meters or more) from high - voltage power lines to avoid electric shock accidents caused by the excavator boom or bucket touching the lines.