Brush Up on Safety

If a brush cutter attachment is capable of cutting down trees up to 7 in. in diameter, then clearly it could do some serious damage to your operators. It’s a no-brainer that operators need to keep their hands and feet inside the skid steer or track loader at all times, but there is more to brush cutter safety than the obvious cutting hazards.

When you decide to purchase a brush cutter attachment there is a very critical choice you need to make so that you buy the safest attachment available. You need to make sure that the weight of the attachment and your skid steer’s carrying capacity balance. If you put too large of a brush cutter attachment on the front of your skid steer, you pose a stability and balance hazard that could send your equipment and your operator tumbling into danger.

You also should consider the size and density of the brush or small trees that you will be working with. Say for instance, that you have a skid steer capable of lifting 2,200 lbs and you want to cut down brush and small trees up to 7 in. in diameter, then you may choose an extreme-duty brush cutter like the Bradco Ground Shark by Paladin Attachments. However, if your skid steer cannot lift 2,200 lbs and you still need to cut down small trees up to 7 in. in diameter, then you may need to consider a different method or the option of buying a larger skid steer. Trying to cut down a tree larger than what is recommended by the manufacturer can increase safety risks and ultimately lead to death. Work with your dealer or the manufacturer to ensure you are buying the appropriate unit for your skid steer.

Taking the Bull by the Horns

Familiarizing yourself with the required maintenance, safety features and the risks associated with the use of the brush cutter will ensure the operator, bystanders and skid steer are protected. Always read the operator’s manual with regard to safe operation of the attachment and pay particular attention to potential hazardous situations and operating conditions that you should avoid. Also make sure you read, familiarize yourself with and follow all safety decals on the unit. Some basic operation safety precautions to be particularly aware of are:

 

1. Do not operate without a shatterproof cab door or front shield on the skid steer. Brush cutter attachments are designed with deflecting chains, front shields and push bars that deflect debris toward the ground and away from the operator. But should the occasional piece of debris get caught and ejected from the back of the unit, your operator will appreciate that the shatterproof cab door was there to protect the driver.

 

2. Do not operate without limiting chains securely installed. There are shields on the front to help deflect debris forward, away from the operator, but without the limiting chains installed the unit could be lifted higher in the back than advised and debris may fly backward toward the operator. For operator safety, always use limiting chains and always check to make sure they are secure before operation. Do not raise the back of the cutter over the manufacturer’s specifications.

 

3. Do not transport or operate with a raised load. The brush cutter should always ride horizontal to the ground. Lifting the load may throw off the balance and endanger the operator.

 

4. Make sure bystanders are a safe distance away. Like any mowing machine, brush cutter attachments can throw debris or even rocks a long distance, posing a potential hazard to bystanders.

Dave Aldrich is the light construction dealer development and service manager for Paladin Attachments, which includes Bradco brush cutter attachments, based in Dexter, Mich.