Forwarders and LOLER

[Charlieh]

yes and no

 

tree harvesters and forwarders with appropriate protective structures will not require thorough examination.

so technically if your operating the crane stood by the side of the trailer, then yes it should have a detailed inspection.

 

Bascially they come under loler as they lift, however you dont need to get a 12month inspection on dedicated machines (its 12monthly as its not life support such as the 6monthly one on climbing kit), ag conversions could be iffy if you dont have fops and rops (eg alpine tractor etc), you do however need to take into acount points such as the one below purely for backside covering

 

Operators of equipment fitted with log loaders

should have a chart or diagram (clearly visible at

the operating position) that shows the SWL for any

radius of the loader such as a safe working load

plate or a load radius diagram.

 

 

other points to note are

LOLER also requires machines that are thoroughly examined to be regularly inspected to detect wear and tear that may make the equipment unsafe to use. Such inspections can be carried out by a competent operator. It is recommended that:

 

● forestry machines that are thoroughly examined are inspected once a week or every 50 working hours if the machine has worked less than 50 hours in that week;

 

● all forestry machines that lift as part of their function, whether they are thoroughly examined or not, are inspected as above.

 

Reports and defects

A person making a thorough examination for an employer should notify defects and make a report of the examination.

 

 

The reports and defect one is important where you have multiple operators, we have a booklet that stays with the machines and any servicing and issues are noted and signed off once fixed.