Safety is a priority for any serious contractor, and adding to safety is always worth considering. For that reason, companies like Caterpillar, Komatsu, Case, Volvo and others continuously research how to make machines better.
As with our everyday motor vehicle, JLG has developed an optional seat belt system that makes it easy to remember to use them and hard to ignore.
JLG calls it the “seatbelt engagement and operator presence option”. It's being offered on select JLG telehandler models including the 742, 943, 1043, 1055 and 1255.
JLG says the system includes seatbelt engagement assurance and operator presence functionality, as well as a high visibility orange seatbelt.
To make sure machine operators aren't asleep at the wheel - so to speak - the system uses visual and audible alarms. It will also limit machine functions when the operator is not buckled up.
Makers of the safety system say when an operator is sitting in a JLG machine with this option, the seatbelt engagement assurance produces a visible and audible alarm that activates whenever an operator is seated but unbuckled.
When the operator is seated with the vehicle ignition key on, alarms will be activated immediately and continuously. The alarms will cease when the operator leaves the seat or turns the vehicle ignition off.
The alarms won't prevent the engine or hydraulics to work, but it will get the operator's blood pressure up. In other words, it will annoy the life out of the operator until he or she buckles up, much like the car we drive.
If the operator is not in the seat, the machine won't work. Also, if the system detects a loss of seat pressure during operation, one of the following will occur:
- Parking brake engaged and transmission in neutral. Hydraulic controls are disabled. Upon returning to a seated position, the hydraulic controls are enabled.
- Parking brake disengaged and transmission in neutral. Hydraulic controls are disabled and the cabin alarm sounds continuously. Upon returning to a seated position, hydraulic controls are enabled, and the cabin alarm will cease.
- Parking brake disengaged and transmission is in forward or reverse. Hydraulic controls are disabled, the cabin alarm sounds continuously, and the transmission shifts to neutral. Upon returning to a seated position, hydraulic controls are enabled, and the cabin alarm will cease. The transmission will need to be returned to neutral to allow the system to reset prior to re-engaging forward or reverse travel.
The new functions are all meant to keep operators and others safer on a job site, and that is never a bad thing.
If you need parts for a JLG telehandler, it's likely ConEquip won't be able to help, but chances are you have other machines we can help you with so don't hesitate to call!
