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Excavators and backhoe-loaders spend the vast majority of their time digging and loading dirt or powering attachments. But they can also be periodically called upon to lift and place pipe, trench boxes and other materials into a hole or trench, or move them from one area of a jobsite to another.

Although on the surface this may seem to be a simple "lift and place" scenario, it actually requires some careful planning to ensure the safety of your employees and your equipment. Failing to follow proper protocol, as outlined in the equipment operator's manual, can have devastating results.

The risks of overloading
Prior to any lift, it's vital that you know the weight of the material to be moved.

"An educated operator should not take a guess as to what he's doing," says Paul Golevicz, marketing manager, Kobelco Construction. "He should contact the right individuals on site to find out what the material or object weighs."

When assessing the total weight of the load, be sure to include the weight of the bucket or quick coupler if they will remain on the machine. "The weight of the bucket or coupler has to be subtracted from the total weight that we say the unit can lift at that particular reach or angle," says Golevicz. "A lot of people don't do that, and they end up overloading the equipment."

This can have significant repercussions. "The most serious potential outcome in exceeding a machine's rated lift capacity is tipping the machine," says Bret Jacobson, product specialist, excavators, Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. This can place the operator and any workers nearby or in the trench at risk.