Log Grapple Operation in the Rainy Season: Common Issues

Operating in the rainy season

1. Before starting work, carefully assess the surroundings and check the site for soft ground or other hazards. A common method is to push a bamboo pole into the ground by hand: if it goes down easily at several points and meets no resistance within the first meter, the whole area is muddy. Log grapples often sink in such mud, making normal work impossible.
2. Before working in mountainous areas during the rainy season, inspect the work area for landslides, collapses or slope failures. Look for signs such as damaged slopes, improper foundation excavation, poorly disposed soil or slag, dense vegetation and muddy water running off the hillside.
3. If the machine starts to sink during operation, stop work immediately. Use the arm to find a firm support point and prevent further sinking, then withdraw the machine backward the same way, without moving in any other direction.
4. Stay alert when working in the rain. On night shifts, make sure all lights on the machine (front and rear lights, work lights, headlights and instrument lights) and the windshield wipers work properly.
5. After work, always park the machine on high ground away from residential areas. Avoid hazardous places such as slopes prone to collapse and riverbanks. Leave enough space for refueling, and make sure the machine can be started and moved out immediately.

Storage in the rainy season

1. If possible, store the machine in a dry indoor location and clean off all dirt thoroughly.
2. When parking outdoors, make sure the diesel tank cap and the hydraulic oil filter cover are securely closed to keep sediment out of the tanks.
3. Inspect the machine, repair worn parts and fit new components as needed.
4. Clean the main air filter element and all lubrication points. Retract all hydraulic cylinders; if that is not possible, grease the exposed cylinder rods. Then rest the tracks on long, flat protective blocks.
5. Once the battery is fully charged, remove it and store it in a dry place. If it is not removed, turn off the power switch or disconnect the negative battery cable.
6. Check the seal ring on the engine oil dipstick for wear, which could let sediment into the engine oil. Also check the fuel filler; when parking outdoors, cover it with a protective bag if necessary.