Operation
Operation Manual -
All SP Rock Valve Models74
revDate
Towing the unit
Many accidents involving concrete pumps are traffic
accidents. To avoid accidents, you must remember this
one point...you are not driving a car. You know those
yellow caution signs posted on the roads? The ones that
say 50 M.P.H. under the symbol for a curve in the
road? Those signs are meant for you, when you are
towing a pump. Most people ignore those signs when
they are in their car, because the car they drive feels
safe going around that curve at 60 M.P.H. When towing
a trailer-mounted concrete pump, this is NOT the case.
All caution signs will apply to you when you are
towing a pump. Slippery when wet, bridge out ahead,
and all the rest. Trailer-mounted concrete pumps are
heavy, which results in longer stopping distances. They
are top heavy, which can lead to rollovers at speeds that
would be no problem for a car. You can’t see directly
behind you, so backing up becomes dangerous, etc.
You know the rules of the road for trucks, or you
wouldn’t have passed the commercial driver’s license
exam. This section of the manual deals with the
specifics that they can’t include in the driver’s
manual...the way a trailer-mounted concrete pump acts
under various driving conditions.
Licensing.
If you don’t have a valid commercial driver’s license,
DO NOT TOW THIS UNIT.
Backing up.
You will be able to see the road behind you on the left
and right sides, but YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
SEE DIRECTLY BEHIND YOU. If you must back up,
and there is any chance at all that there may be traffic
or pedestrians behind you, you must use a guide. A
guide is a person that watches for traffic, pedestrians,
and other obstructions, and stands in such a position
that you can see him (her) giving you instructions.
Installing a back up warning device such as a horn or
bell will give you some measure of safety, but you
can’t rely on it. For example, a child walking behind
your unit when you begin to back up may become
frightened by the back up warning sound and freeze
where they stand.
If you are in an isolated area where there will not be
traffic or pedestrians, you can get out of the cab and
look for obstructions before beginning to back up.
Changing lanes.
When towing a pump, you will have blind spots to your
right and left sides. Unfortunately, many drivers are
unaware of these spots, and will travel in them for
extended time periods. These spots are avoidable with
the use of convex mirrors, which attach on or below the
rear view mirrors. Before changing lanes, check these
convex mirrors for other drivers who may be ‘hiding’
there. Signaling well in advance will warn other drivers
of your intentions.
Loading the unit for shipment.
If the unit will be transported (such as by railroad or
ship), care must be taken to see that people and
property are protected during the loading process. In
these cases, remember the following points:
For Ramp Loading
• Use only ramps that provide adequate and
stable support for loading purposes. Ensure
that no one would be hurt if the unit were to tip
or slip off of the ramps.
• Be sure that the ramps will not cause the unit
to pivot beyond the ability of the hitch.
• If you are using guides to provide instructions,
they must not remain in the driving zone.
• Secure the machine on the transport vehicle
against rolling, slipping or tipping over.
For Crane Or Forklift Loading/unloading
• If lifting the unit with a forklift, be sure that the
forks do not damage any components that sit
below the bottom of the subframe.
NOTE!
Do not attempt to lift the unit with a forklift
unless the unit is equipped with fork
channels.
• Concrete pumps may only be moved by crane
if they have been equipped with slinging rings
that were designed for that purpose. Slinging
rings that were designed for this purpose can
be ordered from Schwing for installation on
new units, or for field retrofits.
• Never hook lifting devices to standard pump
parts, like the concrete valve, hopper, or
anything else. These parts were definitely NOT
designed to support the entire unit load.
To Next Page
Loading...