Cymraeg

Machinery
Section 4 - Loading and Transporting Materials Securely and Safely

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Content

This section on loading and transporting materials securely and safely will contain information on the following:

  • Session 1 - Operate mechanical lifting equipment
  • Session 2 - Transporting resources safely
  • Session 3 - Stacking and storing materials
    • stacked haybales

    Session 1
    Operate Mechanical Lifting Equipment

    Operate Mechanical Lifting Equipment to Conform with the Relevant Legal Restrictions: e.g. Maximum Weight

    Using mechanical aids

    When using mechanical aids, a certain amount of physical effort is required but is greatly reduced by using aids.

  • Examples you would use would be sack trolley, wheelbarrow, mobile gantry in the workshop and hydraulic hoist.
    • graphic of person using mechanical aid to lift something

    Mechanical Aid

    A simple mechanical aid to tipping oil out of a drum.

    mechanical aid with drum

    Weight Considerations

    With simple aids like trolley sacks and wheelbarrows you should ensure you do not exceed your ability to move the load while maintaining control of the aid.

  • When using hoist, you will need to look into the manufacturers handbook to see what the maximum limit is and the safest and best way to use the hoists.
  • If you exceed the weight limit, you will endanger yourself and risk damaging the hoist and the load.
  • If you need to use slings, ropes or shackles you must be sure that they are suitable for the type and weight of the load.

    • Session 2


    Transporting Resources Safely

    Transporting Resources Safely

    When transporting any resources during your work it is essential they are secure for moving and protected from any damage by using:

  • Ropes
  • Straps
  • Netting
  • Separation
    • tractor loading haybales

    Ropes

    To use ropes effectively to secure loads you need secure knots and use the tie eyes on the trailer.

  • Where there are no eyes fitted on the trailer, ensure that the ropes are tied to a robust part of the trailer.
  • Ensure that there is sufficient rope to secure that particular load.
  • Ensure that the movement of the load during transportation is restricted in all directions, the ropes need to be secured in more than one direction i.e. from the front and the rear.
    • loads secured with ropes

    Bales on Flatbed Trailers

    When loading traditional bales on flatbed trailers, front and rear racks are fitted.

  • These racks will secure the load up to their level.
  • Stack the bales in a manner that locks each layer in place.
    • bales on flatbed trailer

    Transporting Bales on Roads

    When exceeding the height of the racks, ropes will need to be used to secure the bales in place.

  • The distance of travel with the load may dictate how much the load will need securing.
  • If the load has to be transported by road, then you must secure the load accordingly.
    • bales on flatbed trailer

    Uneven Ground

    If you are travelling from a field adjacent to the farmstead then correct interlocking of the layers may be adequate.

  • If the journey means travelling over very uneven ground, then the load has to absorb the instability caused by the uneven surfaces.
    • bales on flatbed trailer

    Round Bales

    When loading round bales, interlocking the bales on the trailer helps to secure the load.

  • If travelling distance by road then secure the loads using ropes especially at the front and rear. It is unlikely, due to the weight of the bales that the rack height will be exceeded.
    • interlocked bales on flatbed trailer secured with ropes

    Strapping the Load

    Using strapping to secure a load is a more secure method as it does not depend on the ability to tie secure knots.

  • Using strapping enables you to maintain good tension to secure the load.
  • The principle of strapping would be the same as roping in that the front and rear of the load will need securing as these are the most likely to become unsecured.
    • interlocked bales on flatbed trailer secured with ropes

    Ropes and Straps for Other Loads

    Ropes and straps are the most common means used on farms to secure loads, not only for transporting bales but also for securing pallets of feeds or sawdust, and also transporting machinery on trailers.

    close up of strap

    Care of Ropes and Strappings

    After use, ropes/straps and couplings should be:

  • Cleaned off.
  • Rolled up.
  • Checked for wear and damage.
  • Stored in the dry, off the ground.
  • Couplings cleaned and checked for damage and wear.
  • Stored in designated area.

    • Netting

    Netting or sheeting down may be necessary for transporting materials where it may fall or be blown out of the trailer e.g. transporting used silage wrap or silage sheet in a high sided corn trailer or silage trailer, a net or sheet over the top would ensure that no material is lost.

    Palleted Bags

    Paletted bags of produce are wrapped in plastic to protect the materials from adverse weather and stop the bags moving on the pallets, an adhesive between each layer of bags is used to prevent movement on the pallet.

  • The pallets will still need to be secured on the trailer.
    • stacked palleted bags

    Tarpaulins

    Tarpaulins can be used to protect loads from adverse weather by securing it over the top of the material being transported in the same way as netting.

  • The use of tarpaulin will prevent dust contamination of loads.

    • Chemicals

    Separation from the driver should occur when transporting chemicals from a supplier to the farm.

  • When transporting chemicals on the road then the chemicals should not be in the same space as the driver.
  • If using a pick-up then the chemicals should be in the back.
  • If using a van then a barrier or container is needed to separate the load area and the driver.
    • white chemical container on top of 2 pallets

    Loading and Unloading Areas

    Loading and unloading areas should be :

  • Clear of other traffic, pedestrians and people not involved in loading or unloading.
  • Clear of overhead electric cables to prevent touching or allowing electricity to jump to earth through machinery, loads or people.
  • Level. To maintain stability, trailers should be parked on firm level ground.
  • Loads should be spread as evenly as possible, during both loading and unloading. Uneven loads can make the vehicle or trailer unstable.
    • haybales being stacked

    Loading and Unloading Areas

    Loading and unloading areas should be :

  • Ensure the vehicle and trailer has its brakes applied and all stabilisers are used.
  • Vehicles and trailers must not be overloaded.
  • Checks should be made before unloading to make sure loads have not moved during transit and are likely to move or fall when restraints are removed.
    • haybales being stacked

    Good Points for Loading Correctly

    When loading or unloading resources, two things are important to maintain the stability of the load and safe manoeuvring of the load. These are:

  • Weight distribution.
  • Positioning.
    • loads stacked in a good position

    Centre of Gravity

    It is important to be are aware of the weight distribution of any load and the centre of gravity of the load.

  • This is as important for manual lifting or mechanical lifting.
    • person lifting haybale

    Lifting a Load

    When lifting a load manually where you are unaware of the centre of gravity, the adjustments that you make to balance the load can cause you injury.

  • It is equally a problem if you are lifting a load with a loader.
    • tractor lifting haybale

    Lifting a Load with a Loader

    If the load is lifted incorrectly not taking the centre of gravity into consideration, the tractor and loader will become unstable.

  • Many resources are delivered on pallets(feed/sawdust/liquid detergents) or in large bags(feeds/fertilizers) with straps on the bags.
    • person lifting haybale using loader

    Positioning Loads on a Trailer

    When positioning a load on a trailer, the positioning is critical to maintain the stability and weight distribution of the load.

  • If you place one bag of fertilizer on a flatbed trailer, the best place is over the axle and in the centre of the bed.
  • This will also help with braking of the load. If you are putting materials of different weight onto a trailer for transportation, put the heaviest over the axle.
    • loads being dropped into trailer

    Session 3


    Stacking and Storing Materials

    Stacking and Storing

    The most common resources that are stored on farms are :

  • Feed and bedding in the form of traditional or big bales.
  • Fertilisers – in 500 or 600kgs bags or palleted small bags.
  • Sawdust – palleted small bags.
    • stacks of haybales

    Safe Stacking of Traditional Bales

    When stacking traditional bales in the hay barn the principle of interlocking of the layers is essential to secure the stack. The base should be level, dry and free from contamination by any waste product. The first layer should be placed on its edge with the end towards the edge and you should start from the outside edge and work inwards, this ensures stability at the edges.

    two people sitting on haybale, overlooking field full of haybales

    Safe Stacking of Traditional Bales

    The second layer should be placed flat and at right angles to the bottom layer to interlock the layers.

  • You should ensure that no layer protrudes beyond the edge of the previous layer.
  • When moving bales manually ensure you do not overstretch to get a bale and ensure that you are aware where everyone else is to avoid throwing or dropping a bale on them.
    • graphic of bales being stacked correctly

    Bale Elevators

    When you use elevators ensure it is maintained, with guards in place and situated in a place that minimises the risk of an accident.

  • If you have interlocked safely the stack will be secure.
    • bale elevator transporting hay

    Safe Stacking of Big Bales

    Build stacks on firm, level ground away from fire hazards, overhead power lines and dwellings and where high winds will dislodge bales.

  • Bind the bales during stacking to prevent movement and collapse.
  • Fence off if livestock have access near or if near a footpath or boundary.
    • stack of big bales

    Safe Stacking of Big Bales

  • Sheet stacks to prevent the top layers becoming saturated.
  • Stack no higher than 1.5 times the shortest baseline measurement.
  • Stack no more than four bales high.
  • Never stack round bales on their ends.
    • stack of big bales with sheet covering the top

    What is the Effect of Dry Matter on Stacking?

    The dry matter of bales will affect stacking. If bales are:

  • Below 25% dry matter - stack in single layers
  • Between 25%-35% dry matter - stack two bales high
  • Between 35%-45% dry matter - stack three bales high
    • stack of big bales

    Fertilisers

    Most farms take delivery of fertilisers in large bags 500Kgs or 600Kgs.

  • If these are to be stored on the farm then they should not be stacked more that two layers high, again you should consider overlapping the bags to secure the stack.
  • If they are stacked inside a building then they are protected from the weather but particularly with high nitrogen fertiliser it is important that you minimise fire risks and possible explosion.
    • fertiliser being loaded to tractor attachment

    Fertilisers

    The building should be away from housing and combustible material.

  • If you need to stack fertiliser outside then you must ensure that it is covered from adverse weather by means of a tarpaulin or similar water resistant covering.
    • stacks of fertiliser

    Sawdust

    Palleted sawdust normally comes wrapped in a water resistant wrap.

  • It will need to be protected from the elements because once you have started the pallet, the wrap is compromised.
  • The pallet should be stored inside close to the point of use.
    • palleted sawdust stack

    Transporting Material

    Transport used for this purpose on the farm would be a combination of:

  • A tractor and a loader or mounted implement (transport box),
  • a loadall,
  • or a trailer (flat bed/corn trailer/tipping trailer or silage trailer).
    • tractor carrying haybales

    Transporting Material: Checklist

  • You have had training in the use of all the equipment
  • The equipment can handle the load
  • Check that all tyre pressures are at correct psi
  • No tyre damage or wear
  • Braking systems can cope with the increased weights
  • The loads are secure for transportation
  • All attachments are suitable and secure
  • Attachments are attached in the correct place
  • You are aware of your route and any hazards (slopes, gateways, uneven ground)
  • The work area is clear and safe (be aware of people, children and animals)
  • Travel at a safe speed allowing for the surfaces and the load

    • Monitoring Loads

    When transporting resources you should minimise damage by :

  • Using suitable equipment to transport the resources
  • Secure the load safely (Straps may not cut into resources as bad as ropes)
  • Position the load to maximise stability
  • Protect the load by sheeting if necessary
  • Travel at a speed to reduce instability
  • Correct stacking of the load before transit
    • tractor loading haybales

    Transit Checks

    When transporting resources it is advisable to check the load during transit.

    You may do this while travelling by monitoring the load on the trailer for movement or checking your mirrors to ensure that no part of the load has been lost.

    It is a good idea to pull into a lay-by and physically check the load.

    Check the ropes/straps, check the tyres and attachment (hitch pins/lynch pins/ hydraulic pipes/brake connections and lights if fitted.)

    haybales on trailer falling over
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