High Bank Cuts

High bank cuts are used to cut or trim slopes on ditches, deep cuts, and high fills. The circle and blade are positioned vertically on the side of the grader. The toe of the blade is angled forward of the heel.

NOTE: Read the operator's manual for the type of grader you are operating to receive instructions on setting up the circle and blade for high bank-cutting operations.

When performing high bank cuts, lean the top of the front wheels towards the bank or slope. Move the grader into position and set the blade on the slope (fig. 10-30). When cutting, make light cuts with the toe of the blade.

The heel of the blade does not require many adjustments. When too much down pressure is placed on the blade, you will lift the side off the grader or cut a gouge in the slope. After the high bank cut is performed, clean the cut material from the base of the slope, using the ditching technique.

Wide Side Reach (Spreading)

A grader may be used in spreading piles of loose material. When there is space to work around the pile,

Figure 10-30.-High bank cut.

the blade should be extended well to the side and angled to side cast the windrow to the inside of the rear tires. The pile is reduced by using a series of side cuts, as shown in figure 10-31. Piles to be spread by a grader should be spread dumped as much as possible. The load to be spread is limited by the power and traction of the grader.

When there is not enough room to use the wide side reach and the piles of material are not too high, the front wheels may be driven over the piles. The front axles push the top off the pile, and the blade cuts as much as power permits. The blade should be positioned well below its highest point, so when the grader gets hung up on the piles and loses traction, the blade can be raised to restore the weight to the rear wheels. When traction is lost and the tires spin, unnecessary tire wear increases.

Road Maintenance

The ability of the grader to blade mix materials used as road surfaces is an important function in road maintenance. When blade mixing, pitch the blade slightly forward and angled at about 30 degrees. This position gives the widest possible spread with maximum mixing action. In mixing, move the windrow from side to side by successive cuts with the blade.

To increase production, use several graders to operate, one behind another, on the same windrow (fig. 10-32). When the mixture is wet, mixing should continue until the mixture is dry. After mixing, the material is again side tasted into a windrow before spreading. During mixing, more bitumen or cement can be applied to any lean sections. All particles of the completed mix should be coated and uniform in color.

Figure _10-31.-Wide side reach.

Figure 10-32.-Blade-mixing operation.

Blade-mixing operations are performed as rapidly as possible, consistent with the skill of the operator and the condition of the surface being maintained. However, when the grader is operated too fast, it will tend to bounce and give the surface a washboard appearance that will take additional time and passes to connect. When washboarding is not corrected, it will create unnecessary wear and tear on traffic using the road or work area.