Let us discuss about a mobile machine that is capable of performing other lifting machine's work; Telehandler

in #stemng6 years ago (edited)

Hello steemians, it's a privilege to have you visit my blog once again and I do sincerely appreciate you guys on your comments and upvotes as this has gone a long way.

Today, I'll like share with you, the experience I had over the week days. I am currently participating in the roof top installation of large amount of solar panels for a cocoa processing company, aimed at achieving a 3.5MW solar power system. This installation warrants lifting the materials and tools needed to almost a two storey building by special type of four wheel machine known as a telehandler.

IMG_20180731_174246.jpg

Image source: @sunkanmi02

Could you believe that for almost two weeks of intense working, I never for once appreciate the usefulness of this machine until it broke down (the fuel pump wasn't functioning properly), making the machine non-operational. There is a saying that "you don't appreciate what you have until you are about to lose it or you eventually lose it". Sincerely, i can attest to the fact that this saying is true. Myself and my co-installer were forced to manually lift the materials needed especially the solar panels which i must confess to you, is not an easy task at all. This action comes along with a lot of inconveniences like strain, back pain, blisters on the palm due to friction when pulling the ropes and many more.

This experience has motivated me to learn more about the telehandler as whole (its operation, parts, criteria for operating the machine at the site) and I will be sharing with you what I have learnt on it. But before I dive deep into this, I like to discuss what motivate the use of the machine in the first place.
Work!!!

Work, in engineering and science, is described as the energy needed to move an object from one place to another. Working plays a vital role in our health and well being, best of all, it provides us with financial security needed for the full exploration of our best interest. So to say more money, more work and with more work comes with lots and lots of energy needed to be expended which is very strenuous and takes time. In order to make our work easier and faster, we make use of a device known as machine.


What is a machine?

A machine is any device, be it either electrical or mechanical in nature, that can be used to assists in the performance of human tasks or better still, it is usually equipped with the capability of performing human tasks itself with just a little effort needed. They do not only make our work easier and faster, but also accurate as well. Every large machineries that you have ever come across, are actually made up of simple machines working in hand with one another. This simple machines are said to form the foundation of mechanical physics and are divided into six different types namely; lever, pulley, screw, inclined plane, wheel and axle and wedge. I believe from our elementary science, we all should have the understanding of what the simple machines looks like and their essence, but for the sake of remainder, check this link.


Now back to the real business for the day, have you ever seen or heard of a telehandler before or should I say a telescopic handler. For those of you that has being to a seaport before, you will noticed that there is special type of mobile crane used for offload or loading cargo container from or unto the ship. The operation of this mobile crane is similar to that of a telehandler as it is equipped with a hoist wire attached to a clamp used for grabbing cargo containers firm and transporting them from one place to another.


So to say in short, a telehandler is a mobile machine that can be used to lift heavy load to a place where other lifting equipment cannot reach with aid of its telescopic cylinder (boom). It looks like forklift but the presence of the boom makes it more like a crane as the boom is equipped with the capability of extending inward towards or outward away from the vehicle. Other actions provided by the boom includes raising/lower the load and also tilting the fork from both sides either horizontally or vertically. The mode of operation of this machine is based on the principles hydraulic and pneumatic to provide a mechanical output.

When heavy loads are required to be lifted to a higher ground, it is a perfect choice to explore as it can used for wide range of tasks with the right attachment (such as bucket, clamp, pallet fork etc) at the end of the boom. With this, our telehandler can perform the functions of many other machines like tractor, crane, aerial work platform, lift truck, yard scraper, scoopers and many more.

The commonly used attachment for the telehandler boom at the site of work is the pallet forks as most of all the load are palletized except for cases where the man basket (as it so called) is needed to take us (installers) or some of the materials needed up the roof. Even still, the man basket requires a pallet fork as well.
IMG_20180802_101902.jpg

Image source: @sunkanmi02

But one funny thing about this machine is that it's main advantage over other lifting equipment is also its biggest disadvantage. Am sure you would be wondering how is that possible! Yea it is. Extending the boom outward under loading condition usually reduces the stability of the vehicle despite the counterweight at the rear. This in turn decreases the high loading capacity of the machine as the work radius (the distance between the front wheels and the load centre) increases. Let say the weight of the telehandler is around 2 tonnes, analysis has shown that when the boom is fully retracted, the machine is capable of lifting twice its weight at an angles above 50 degree while when it (boom) is completely extended out, it is only able to safely lift ⅛ of its weight at a very boom angle.

Most of this machine (telehandler) comes with a front stabilizer that tends to increase the machine stability (that is to extend its lifting capacity) when it is not moving. Other counter measure kept in place, in order to keep the machine from exceeding its limits involves the use of a computer which make uses of sensors to warn the operator or cut-off any further input should in case the limit is about to be exceeded.

Stabilizer Image source: @sunkanmi02

Let talk about how to operate this machine
From my own point of observation, how to operate this machine, can be grouped into two namely; movement of the machine itself and controlling of the boom. It is one thing to drive the machine (which is of course very easy) compared to the controlling of the boom. That i can testify to myself as during my stay on the site, I drove the machine but was never allowed to operate the lever that controls the boom.
Driving the machine has been made easy with the use of automatic gear with a steering type which is similar to that of a four wheel but unlike conventional four wheel, the front wheel and the rear wheel rotates in an opposite direction which causes the machine to turn in circles, providing an easy turning. But to operate the lever on the other hand, requires years of practise before one can be authorized to operate the machine.
IMG-20180804-WA0000.jpg

Rotation of wheels in opposite direction when turning Image source: @sunkanmi02


Operating this machine requires some safety tips in order to improve the machine's productivity and to minimize the risk of an accident occurring. This I noticed Mr Joseph (the telehandler man) does every time he is asked to carry out any job different from what he has done before.

  • Site inspection: This he (Mr Joseph) does regularly to be familiarize himself with the job site, also to identify possible obstacle along his transport path and knowing the surface condition where the machine will operate.

  • ‎Use of proper carriage: The type of loads to be transported will determine the type of carriage needed. During the installation, the only two attached used are the pallet fork and the man basket. Pallet fork is used for picking up palletized goods while the amn basket is either used for transporting us or the materials needed to used on the roof that are not palletized.

  • Boom position: The position of the boom really plays a very essential role in the stability of the machine. When the machine is on the move, the boom should be kept fully retracted on loading. One important tip about the boom is that when performing any action with it, it should be very slow as any sudden raise or drop can comprise the stability of the machine.

  • Machine and load position: On getting to the lift site, it must be ensured that the ground beneath the lift site is capable of providing support for both the machine and the load before setting down the stabilizer. Should in case the ground is not properly level, it is required to the machine frame level function and the level indicator to balance it.

  • Lift personnel: There are times, the operator does not have a clear visual of the load to be lifted or placed at high altitude and this warrants the operator to request for a lift personnel with the proper hand signal should in case there is no walkie-talkie for proper communication.

CONCLUSION
I can boldly say it loud and clear that 75% of the jobs carried out at this site is made possible by the telehandler as it is responsible for lifting heavy materials like PV cells, frame work, carge containers with the materials used for the entire installation and many more. It was also used for the construction of ladders and air terminals, edge protector and so many more. Imagine what will happen if the machine is non operational! This indicates that the essence of machines which has made life easy, convenient and faster, can not be overlooked or underestimate under any circumstances. I hope you have being able to learn one or two things from this write up, stay tune for more upcoming exposition and thank you for dropping by.

REFERENCE

If you write STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related posts, consider joining #steemSTEM on steemit chat or discord here. If you are from Nigeria, you may want to include the #stemng tag in your post. You can visit this blog by @stemng for more details. SteemSTEM


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