How to Operate a Motor Grader Safely

A motor grader is a sizable piece of equipment with a distinctive design, which proves how far construction machinery has come in terms of technology. Due to its rugged design and a broad range of capabilities, it is widely used in demanding outdoor applications, such as paving roads, compacting materials, and many others. Although motor graders have been designed to ensure operator safety while delivering a high level of performance, it is important to know how to operate them safely, so as to avoid potential mishaps at construction sites.

Here are some practical tips to operate a motor grader safely:

Position the Grader Correctly

Keeping your machine stable while maintaining a road surface starts with ensuring that the mainframe of your motor grader is straight. Therefore, make sure that the drawbar and circle remain centered under the frame. For maximum pass width on the road surface, keep the moldboard angle as square as possible to your motor graders’ frame. In case the material begins to flow around the moldboard’s leading end or the rolling action stops, it is best to increase the blade angle.

To avoid machine bounce, operate the grader at a low speed. Besides, avoid running over windrows to prevent sidewall damage from sharp rocks.

Use Proper Moldboard Tip Angle

Using the moldboard tip on a motor grader properly not only increases the machine’s productivity, but also helps prevent machine damage. You can either tip the moldboard behind or ahead of the cutting edge. This will ensure that the cutting edge is at the correct angle required to get the desired cutting and rolling action on any material. You must also maintain a rolling action on the material in order to reduce the amount of horsepower you require to complete the job.

When you are cutting hard materials or performing light finishing jobs, tip the moldboard of your machine in the forward direction. Once you are done cutting into the material, tip the blade backward to create a smooth, rolling action in the material that is being graded. Following these simple steps will ensure smooth operations, while safeguarding your motor grader from damage.

Always Wear the Recommended PPE and Seat Belt

Be mindful of your safety when operating a motor grader and wear the recommended PPE, such as safety goggles, work boots, etc. Additionally, you must always fasten your seatbelt. Some motor grader models come with an operator presence seat switch which keeps the parking brake engaged as well as the hydraulic implements disabled until the operator sits in, and the grader is all set to operate.

To learn more about operating a motor grader safely, feel free to reach out to our experts at Al-Bahar. As the leading company in the Middle East providing construction equipment, we have the best SEM machinery including motor graders, wheel loaders, soil compactors, track type tractor, landfill compactors, and many other powerful machines.

Contact us today for more info!