Operating an underground loader (LHD) is a core aspect of underground mining production. The standardization and safety of its operation directly impact personnel safety, equipment integrity, and production efficiency. A rigorous and standardized operating procedure is fundamental to operating this "underground behemoth."
Pre-Operation Preparation: Building the First Line of Defense for Safety
1. Personnel Qualification and Status Verification: Operators must hold a valid special operations certificate and have undergone specialized underground equipment training. Before starting work, operators must ensure they are in good mental condition and have not consumed alcohol, are excessively fatigued, or taken medications that impair judgment.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspection: Operators must correctly wear safety helmets, puncture-resistant safety shoes, reflective work clothes, protective gloves, and headlamps with mining safety certification.
3. Safety Confirmation of the Working Environment: Before entering the work area, communicate with the site supervisor or signalman to confirm that the work area is well-ventilated, adequately lit, and that the roof and sides are safe (having undergone "knocking on the roof and sides to check"), and that there is no unexplained water accumulation or excessive levels of harmful gases. Check that necessary warning signs have been set up in the work area and that passageways are unobstructed.
4. Vehicle Walk-Around Inspection: Following the principle of "walking around the vehicle," check tire pressure and wear, for any obvious damage to the vehicle body or oil leaks (water, hydraulic oil), whether the lights and warning devices are intact, and whether the fire extinguisher is in place and effective. Pay special attention to whether the anti-static grounding strap is properly grounded.
5. Pre-Start Vehicle Inspection: After entering the cab, check that all indicators on the instrument panel are normal, that the braking system (including the parking brake) is reliable, that the steering is flexible, and that the horn is loud. Observe the rearview mirrors and clear your field of vision.
Starting and Driving: Smoothness is the Highest Principle
1. Safe Start: Confirm that the bucket is on the ground, the gear lever is in neutral or the stop position, and sound the horn to warn surrounding personnel. Then start the engine and let it idle for a short while until the water temperature, oil pressure, and other gauge readings are normal before starting.
2. Standard Driving Procedures:
Driving Posture: When driving, the bucket should be retracted and returned to its original position, approximately 400-500 mm off the ground, to ensure stability and visibility.
Driving in Tunneling: In underground tunnels, speed limits must be strictly observed (usually not exceeding 10-15 km/h). Slow down and sound the horn when approaching intersections, curves, or airlocks. Coasting in neutral is strictly prohibited. When descending long slopes, use a low gear and engine exhaust braking.
Meeting and Yielding: When meeting oncoming traffic in narrow tunnels, choose a spacious location in advance to stop and give way. Give way to personnel on duty, lead vehicles, and other important equipment.
Slope Operation: Lateral driving or parking on slopes is strictly prohibited. Maintain a straight line when going up or down slopes, avoiding gear shifting or sharp turns.
Loading and Unloading Operations: Balancing Precision and Efficiency
1. Approaching the Material Pile: The vehicle should be aligned directly with the material pile, approaching smoothly at low speed until the bottom of the bucket is parallel to the ground.
2. Insertion and Loading: Smoothly increase the throttle and insert the bucket into the material pile. For stockpiled materials, a "coordinated loading method" can be used, where the boom is slowly raised and the bucket is retracted simultaneously with the bucket insertion to fill the bucket.
3. Fully Loaded Transport: After the bucket is full, retract the bucket to the transport position, raise the boom to a safe ground height, and then smoothly drive to the unloading point. During transport, it is strictly forbidden to drive at high speeds with the bucket raised or to make sharp turns.
4. Unloading: Upon arrival at the unloading point (such as a mine car or crusher receiving port), stop the vehicle and align it with the unloading position. Slowly raise the boom to a suitable height, and then smoothly operate the bucket control lever to unload the material, avoiding material impact or spillage. During unloading, it is strictly forbidden for the bucket to pass over personnel or the equipment cab.
5. Key Prohibitions:
Digging or violently impacting rocks with the bucket is strictly prohibited.
Uneven loading of the bucket is strictly prohibited.
Inspecting or repairing the vehicle or standing below it while the bucket is suspended or raised is strictly prohibited.
Using the bucket to lift personnel for high-altitude work is strictly prohibited.
End of Operation and Handover
1. Parking: After the operation is completed, park the vehicle in a designated, level, and safe location. Lower the bucket smoothly to the ground, put the gear lever in neutral, engage the parking brake, and turn off the engine.
2. Inspection and Handover: Conduct a simple walk-around inspection of the vehicle, recording any abnormalities found during the shift. Complete the shift handover record and explain the vehicle's condition to the incoming shift personnel or maintenance personnel.
Conclusion: Operating an underground loader is a combination of skill, discipline, and responsibility. Every step of standardized operation demonstrates respect for life, care for equipment, and assurance of efficiency. Only by internalizing standardized procedures into muscle memory and maintaining the highest level of vigilance at all times can we safely and efficiently complete every transportation mission in this deep underground world.
