Hire and Rental News - February 2019

According to figures from WorkSafe, between 2000 and 2008, there was about $61m in compensation claims for whole body vibration complaints. After a few years operating one of these machines with no suspension, the operator’s spine is pounded. Crowd funding opportunity – suspension system for compact loaders ready to roll As developers of a suspension system for compact loaders that addresses a long outstanding safety issue, Geelong Earthmoving Repairs is looking for funding from interested industry members to get its prototype to the next stage in its development cycle. W ith one 300mm radio controlled prototype and a 1.5tonne machine with a self-levelling stabilising system that produces a rotating fence already built, the company is now looking for funds to produce another machine, this time featuring the suspension system. Maintenance and repair services business owners, Frank and Ryan Chara, of Geelong Earthmoving Repairs, began work developing a system to help prevent spinal injuries from operator vibration in skid steer loaders about five years ago. The idea to develop a suspension system for skid steer and compact loaders came about after reading a Worksafe Australia article about Whole Body Vibration being a risk to earthmoving machinery operators. “Skid steers for example, don’t have suspension systems,” Frank Chara, technical advisor to Geelong Earthmoving Repairs said. “According to figures from WorkSafe, between 2000 and 2008, there was about $61m in compensation claims for whole body vibration complaints. After a few years operating one of these machines with no suspension, the operator’s spine is pounded. So we thought we’d better do something about it,” Frank said. “There is suspension on army tanks but no suspension on compact loaders. Safety in general for operators on skid steer loaders is not ideal. In a skid steer for example, you have to climb over the bucket to sit in the seat. We found that dangerous.” To date the company has invested $50,000 developing the suspension system. “After studying everything else that has suspension, the conclusion was that in relation to compact loaders, spring suspension will not work, even seat suspension alone is not enough to combat spinal disc damage associated with Whole Body Vibration from rough rides,” Frank said. “However through mechanical modelling and development of a prototype we found, for a lack of a better description, a ‘floating chassis’ as a form of controlled suspension system would give the most favourable suspension outcome. “A floating chassis suspension system will cut down on the level of damage and operator fatigue from Whole Body Vibration. “For a floating chassis on a compact loader to function effectively and not have any adverse effect to the cutting edge of bucket, we discovered the concept of a ‘bucket self-levelling mechanism’ can balance out or compensate for over digging or under digging; otherwise a floating chassis as a form of controlled suspension system cannot exist. “Basically the whole lift arm assembly together with the chassis is allowed to float simultaneously, leaving a value added benefit not yet seen in the market,” Frank said. Frank said the initiative is all about safety and as a casualty of spinal injury himself, said any suspension system that tackles operator fatigue and spinal disc damage should be exploited in order to prevent compensation claims. Ryan Chara is the owner of Geelong Earthmoving Repairs and Frank as a tool and die maker is technical advisor on the project. The team are looking for funds to help them develop the system to the next stage and get the system certified. There are three universities interested in the system but to progress it needs certification. “We would love to hear from industry members interested in making safety the focus for this sector. If we get a group of people on board we can finish this project.” n Contact Frank Chara on 0427 661 550 or email: frank@charas.com.au The idea is to develop a suspension system for skid steer and compact loaders There is suspension on army tanks but no suspension on compact loaders In relation to compact loaders, spring suspension will not work P26 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019 INDUSTRY IN FOCUS