GRADER OPERATIONS

Although the grader is a multipurpose machine that is capable of doing a variety of jobs, the performance of the grader depends largely upon the skill of the operator. The extensive skill required to perform as an effective grader operator is only gained through practice and on-the-job experience.

Wheel Lean

The proper use of the front wheels is a great aid in. .both steering and grading. In grading, lean the top of

Figure 10-13.-Scarifier teeth.

Figure 10-14.-Proper wheel lean. 10-6

Figure 10-15.-Wheel lean on a ditch slope.

the wheels in the direction of the flow of material (the heel of the blade). For example, as shown in figure 10-14, viewed from the operator's seat, the toe of the blade is extended to the right of the grader side casting the material to the left. The material cut at the toe of the blade causes a pulling force exerted on the front end of the grader, wanting to pull the grader to the right. By leaning the top of the wheels to the left (heel) counteracts this pulling force.

When grading a ditch foreslope, as shown in figure 10-15, lean the top of the wheels enough to keep them in a vertical working position. This will lean technique will do the following: (1) keep the grader from drifting down the bottom of the foreslope and (2) keep the grader wheels from climbing the walls of the backslope.

On high bank-cutting operations, lean the top of the wheels toward the bank, as shown in figure 10-16. The blade engaged in the bank cut causes a pushing force, wanting to push the grader away from the bank. The wheel lean counteracts the force and helps keep the blade properly positioned for bank cutting.

Turning Around

When jobs are confined to short stretches or narrow widths, rotating the blade from forward to reverse grading position requires a circle reverse movement of only about 70 degrees (fig. 10-17). When reverse blading, the cut pass is normally made in reverse, while the side casting of the windrow pass is made on the forward trip, saving valuable time and speed in

Figure 10-16.-Wheel lean on high bank-cutting operations.

Figure 10-17.-Changing the blade from forward to reverse.

operations by eliminating frequent turning around of the grader.

NOTE: Reverse grading is only for operators who have developed superb skills in grader operations.

For reverse blading, if the scarifier unit is located just in front of the blade (behind the front axle), remove all of the scarifier teeth and fully retract the scarifier unit. This allows a clear area when changing the direction of the blade. When reverse blading, set the blade so the toe is just outside of the rear tires, and the heel side casts outside the front tire on the opposite side.

NOTE: Store scarifier teeth in collateral equipage or in a location so they will not be lost. The operator is responsible for all of the scarifier teeth assigned to thegrader.

When you are grading on a project where the passes are less than 1,000 feet, it is more efficient to grade in recerse or vack the grader the entire distance to the starting point than it is to turn around and continue work from the far end, as shown in figure 10-18.

When you are grading on a projuct where the passes are 1,000 feet or more, it is then more efficient to turn the grader around and start blading from the far end back to the starting point, as shown in figure 10-19.

The combined maneuvering advantages of the leaning front wheels and the rear tandem drive are a big

Figure 10-18.-Elinimate unproductive turning around.

Figure 10-19.-Turning around.

help in turning the grader around on a construction project. Figure 10-20 shows a simple technique to turn _{the grader around.} With the wheels leaned in the direction of the turn (A), back across the ditch (B), and then complete the turn (C). By keeping the front wheels on the roadway and leaning the wheels in the direction of the turn, you can make the grader turn with ease.

NOTE: Always back across the ditch and leave the front wheels on the roadway.