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Updated: July 8th, 2008 05:26 PM EDT

Compactor & Scraper Operator Tips

Productive methods for operating earthmoving equipment.

OR - ( & this takes more time because the compactor turns around after each pass)
  1. use No. 2 above, but don't back up;
  2. instead, go forward on each pass;
  3. split tracks and spread dirt on each pass.

  • When there is time more compaction can be achieved by:
    1. spreading material on 1st pass, then backing up in the same tracks just made;
    2. after backing up, split tracks & spread dirt forward, then back up in same tracks again;
    3. for next pass, begin next to edge of last pass;
    4. backdrag as time permits if needed to smooth surface;
    5. if time permits, and more effort is needed to achieve compaction, after backing up move over 1 roller width for each forward pass.
  • Experiment by discovering patterns not mentioned here.
  • Mix the material and moisture by tilting the blade. One corner will dig while part of the blade will spread & mix.
  • Scraper Tips

    1. Be prepared to yield the right-of-way at the cut exit.
    2. Begin a fill by dumping close to the stakes at one side of the fill. Cover the fill's entire length, then width.
    3. Always dump on the edge of the slope so that someone else doesn't have to push the material out farther.
    4. If it takes 3 loads in each lane to cover the length of a fill:
    5. Notice the green loads above were dumped next to & touching the brown loads, not overlapping the brown.
    6. Place material all the way to the end of the fill.
    7. Make sure the corners are filled.
    8. If you see compactor tracks, it wasn't dumped on.
    9. Above, the length of the fill was not covered with just 1 load.
    10. Don't dump on cuts. Look at the stakes and ribbons.
    11. If you are not sure if the end of the fill was dumped, go and see. If it was, dump at the end of the next lane. In large fills, the end is usually not filled because scrapers can't see the end when entering the fill. They assume someone else completed the length of each lane.
    12. Don't dump in the lane the compactor is working in. He/she needs to see where the compactor has last been, just as the scrapers need to see where the last scraper dumped.
    13. In a rock fill, occasionally relocate large rocks to the correct location to help the compactor.
    14. Expect the compactor to smooth the fill as much as possible.
    15. When dumping with a slope edge or keyway wall on your right side, use existing compactor & tire tracks, with your right-side mirror, to judge your distance from the right-side edge or wall. Also, look through the gooseneck to see how close the right side of the cutting edge is to the edge, stakes, or wall.
    16. When stopped, open your cab door and look down to see where your tire is in relation to where you thought it was. You will probably be surprised.
    17. Help the compactor elevate the edge of the fill slope above the rest of the fill so that you don't slide off.
    18. Ask a grade checker or compactor operator when unsure about the fill. A well managed fill largely owes its success to conscientious scraper operators.
    19. If a scraper dumps with their can (bowl) too low, the material will be dragged, not spread. That creates a low spot in a lane that appears to have been filled, but has not. Watch for this & spread material in those areas.
    20. When a scraper dumps with the can too high, it leaves piles that are difficult for a compactor to spread. This usually makes bumps in the fill.
    21. Responsibility for each scraper stops at the steering wheel. Each operator is responsible for their machine & what it does. Travel at the appropriate speed for current conditions (haul road, cut, fill, and water).
    22. Dump your load in the fill, not on the haul road.
    23. Before shutting off the engine(s), cool it down by idling for at least 5 minutes, longer on hot days. This will keep the turbocharger, head, & exhaust manifold from breaking.
    24. When entering the fill, always glance at the grade checker & compactor operator for possible directions. In the cut, glance at the grade checker.
    25. Cut the edges of the cut first. Resist the urge to hog out the middle of the cut first. Build stockpiles the same way: edges first to raise them up.
    26. Depending on the situation, create a downhill cut by loading at the end of the cut first. Use gravity to get larger & faster loads. Then load in the midway area, while working back to load at the beginning of the cut.
    27. When loading, overlap the previous cut pass by a foot or two. This eliminates ridges.
    28. Or, "Straddle Load": cut 5 or 6 feet to the side of the last cut lane to create a ridge, which will be centered on every 3rd pass for a fast load. Share the easy loads.

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