AKKAMAAN
Veteran Member
A Trouble Shooting Story
Background
This was about a forwarder, a logging machine, and its operator, in the beginning of 1980.
A forwarder has a loading crane and a bunk to carry the logs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DV1Vndlyco
All sorts a safety features started to be implemented in logging machines and other heavy equipment, like electric interlocks, so unintentional bad things would not happen. Like starting the engine when machine is in gear.
To operate the crane on a forwarder, operator use electric joy sticks, that are mounted on the arm rests. Crane cannot be operated when driver seat is turned forward (normal travel direction). There is a sensor that detects the position of the driver seat.
Story.
One morning the operator of a forwarder called the local Timberjack service center and reported that the engine did not crank. Battery was charged and travel direction selector was in neutral, brakes where applied etc, so the service center dispatched a technician to this logging site.
After arriving to the forwarder, the technician entered the cab, sat down in the driver seat and tried to crank the engine...engine totally dead....then tried to he turn the seat around, into the crane operating position, but the operators lunch box was in the way. After throwing the lunch box out, he tried to start the engine again...AND IT STARTED?Voila!!
There is a little 5 pedal on the floor, a direction selector, for travel when operating the crane. The lunch box was activating this pedal, and the interlock system prevented engine from starting.
Conclusion
Make sure you know how your piece of equipment is supposed to work, before you decide something is wrong. It is very common trouble shooting goes wrong due to lack of operator training and education. The owners manual, usually have enough information tell driver/operator what performance to expect from a car, log splitter, tractor, FEL, harvester, or forwarder etc. Manufacturer training class is one of the most important accessories in a purchase of any piece of equipment.
Background
This was about a forwarder, a logging machine, and its operator, in the beginning of 1980.
A forwarder has a loading crane and a bunk to carry the logs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DV1Vndlyco
All sorts a safety features started to be implemented in logging machines and other heavy equipment, like electric interlocks, so unintentional bad things would not happen. Like starting the engine when machine is in gear.
To operate the crane on a forwarder, operator use electric joy sticks, that are mounted on the arm rests. Crane cannot be operated when driver seat is turned forward (normal travel direction). There is a sensor that detects the position of the driver seat.
Story.
One morning the operator of a forwarder called the local Timberjack service center and reported that the engine did not crank. Battery was charged and travel direction selector was in neutral, brakes where applied etc, so the service center dispatched a technician to this logging site.
After arriving to the forwarder, the technician entered the cab, sat down in the driver seat and tried to crank the engine...engine totally dead....then tried to he turn the seat around, into the crane operating position, but the operators lunch box was in the way. After throwing the lunch box out, he tried to start the engine again...AND IT STARTED?Voila!!
There is a little 5 pedal on the floor, a direction selector, for travel when operating the crane. The lunch box was activating this pedal, and the interlock system prevented engine from starting.
Conclusion
Make sure you know how your piece of equipment is supposed to work, before you decide something is wrong. It is very common trouble shooting goes wrong due to lack of operator training and education. The owners manual, usually have enough information tell driver/operator what performance to expect from a car, log splitter, tractor, FEL, harvester, or forwarder etc. Manufacturer training class is one of the most important accessories in a purchase of any piece of equipment.
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