Kubota LA555 Operator's Manual page 8

2 SAFE OPERATION
-
2. OPERATING THE LOADER
1. Operate the loader only when properly seated at the
controls. Do not operate from the ground.
2. Move and turn the tractor at low speeds.
3. Never allow anyone to get under the loader bucket or
reach through the boom when the bucket is raised.
4. Keep children, others and livestock away when
operating loader and tractor.
5. Do not walk or work under a raised loader bucket or
attachment unless it is securely blocked and held in
position.
6. For tractor stability and operator safety, rear ballast
must be added to the 3-point hitch and to the rear
wheels when using loader.
7. To increase stability adjust the rear wheels to the
widest setting that is suitable for your application.
8. Exercise extra caution when operating the loader with
a raised bucket or attachment.
9. Do not lift or carry any person on the loader, in the
bucket, or other attachment.
10. Avoid loose fill, rocks and holes. They can be
dangerous for loader operation or movement.
11. Avoid overhead wires and obstacles when the loader
is raised. Contacting electric lines can cause
electrocution.
12. Gradually stop the loader boom when lowering or
lifting.
13. Use caution when handling loose or shiftable loads.
14. Using loaders for handling large, heavy, or shiftable
objects is not recommended without proper handling
attachments.
15. Handling large heavy objects can be extremely
dangerous due to :
A Danger of rolling the tractor over.
A Danger of upending the tractor.
A Danger of the object rolling or sliding down the
loader boom onto the operator.
16. If you must perform this sort of work (item 15), protect
yourself by :
A Never lift the load higher than necessary to clear
the ground.
A Add rear ballast to the tractor to compensate for the
load or use rear implement.
A Never lift large objects with equipment that may
permit them to roll back onto the operator.
A Move slowly and carefully, avoiding rough terrain.
17. Never lift or pull a load from any point on the loader
with a chain, rope, or cable. Doing so could cause a
rollover or serious damage to the loader.
18. Be extra careful when operating the tractor on a slope,
always operate up and down, never across the slope.
Do not operate on steep slopes or unstable surfaces.
19. When operating another implement on a hillside, be
sure to remove the loader to reduce the risk of rollover.
20. Carry loader boom at a low position during transport.
(You should be able to see over the bucket.)
21. Allow for the loader length when making turns.
3. AFTER OPERATING THE LOADER
1. When loader work is complete and parking or storing,
choose flat and hard ground. Lower the loader boom
to the ground, stop the engine, set the brakes and
remove the key before leaving the tractor seat.
2. Make sure the detached loader is on stands and on a
hard, level surface.
3. Before disconnecting hydraulic lines, relieve all
hydraulic pressure by moving the controls.
4. Do not remove the loader from the tractor without an
approved bucket attached.
4. SERVICING THE LOADER
1. Always wear safety goggles when servicing or
repairing the machine.
2. Do not modify the loader. Unauthorized modification
may affect the function of the loader, which may result
in personal injury.
3. Do not use the loader as a work platform or a jack to
support the tractor for servicing or maintenance.
Securely support the tractor or any machine elements
with stands or suitable blocking before working
underneath.
For your safety, do not work under any hydraulically
supported devices. They can settle or suddenly leak
down or be accidentally lowered.
4. Escaping hydraulic oil under pressure can have
sufficient force to penetrate the skin, causing serious
personal injury. Do not use hands to search for
suspected leaks. If injured by escaping fluid, obtain
medical treatment immediately.
5. Do not tamper with the relief valve setting. The relief
valve is pre-set at the factory. Changing the setting
can cause overloading of the loader and tractor which
may result in serious personal injury.
6. When servicing or replacing pins in cylinder ends,
bucket, etc., always use a brass drift and hammer.
Failure to do so could result in injury from flying metal
fragments.