Caterpillar Performance Handbook, January 2017, SEBD0351-47

IV. Machine Protection Check the job for unusually demanding conditions that could cause premature failure or excessive wear of machine components. Additional protective devices such as heavy-duty radiator guards, crankcase guards, engine enclosures, track roller guards and/or brake shields may be needed. Also, consider the use of anti- vandalism devices, such as cap locks and instrument panel guards. The failure to provide proper guarding in some of these applications may lead to machine damage, personal injury or death. Contact your Cat dealer for machine-protection and vandalism-prevention options for your machine. V. Fire Prevention Remember that most fluids on your machine are flammable! To minimize the risk of fire, Caterpillar recommends following these basic steps: – Always perform the Walk-Around Inspection described in Part I. It can identify many of the fire hazards described below. – Remove trash (leaves, twigs, papers, etc.) that may accumulate in the engine compartment or around other hot parts on the product. – Do not operate a machine if leakage of flamma- ble fluids is noticed. Repair leaks before resum- ing machine operation. Most fluids used in Cat machines should be considered flammable. – Keep access doors to major machine compartments in working order to permit the use of fire fighting equipment, should a fire occur. – Avoid attaching electrical wiring to hoses and tubes that contain flammable or combustible fluids. Hydrau- lic hoses can move during machine operation and abrade wires and other hoses if improperly secured. – Replace any rubbing, damaged, frayed, kinked or leaking hydraulic hoses or fittings. Use genuine Cat parts or their equivalent, including both pressure and temperature limit capabilities. – Follow safe fueling practices as described in Cat Operation and Maintenance Manuals, AEM Safety Manuals, and local regulations. Never store flam- mable fluids in the machine operator’s compart- ment, nor smoke while fueling the machine. – As an additional safety measure, keep a fire extin- guisher on the machine in a location as specified in the Operation and Maintenance Manual. – Consider installation of an after-market fire-sup- pression system (FSS) on the equipment if the appli- cation and working conditions warrant it.

II. Machine Modifications Modifications must not be made to the machine that: – Interfere with operator visibility; – Interfere with ingress or egress from the machine; – Exceed the rated payload or gross combination weight of the machine resulting in overloading the braking and/or steering system or the roll-over pro- tective structure (ROPS) capacity rating (shown on a plate affixed to the ROPS); or – Place objects in the cab that intrude into the oper- ator’s space or that are not firmly fixed into place. – Are not authorized by Caterpillar. III. Operator-related Equipment Options Each job presents unique conditions that must be taken into account. Consider direct dangers to the operator as well as all possible sources of distraction that could reduce operator efficiency and increase the chances of costly and dangerous mistakes. Climate- controlled, sound-suppressed cabs, and special exterior lighting are options available from Caterpillar that can address requirements of special working environments. “Flexible” machines include hydraulic excavators (track-type, wheel-type, and compact), skid-steer load- ers, backhoe loaders and integrated tool-carriers can utilize interchangeable “Work Tools” to accomplish spe- cific tasks. Work Tools or any tool used in hazardous applications like demolition, quarry, logging, stump grinding, scrap handling, milling, and scaling, can create a need for special operator guarding. When flying debris from impact, cutting, shearing or sweeping attachments is present, additional protective devices such as a front screen, Falling Object Guarding System (FOGS, includes top & front guarding), thick polycarbonate windshields or a combination of these is recommended by Caterpillar. The failure to provide proper operator/machine guarding in some of these applications can lead to machine dam- age, personal injury or death. Contact your Cat dealer for operator guarding options on your machine.

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