Hopper lids, Hopper lid safety information – Great Plains NTA3007 Operator Manual User Manual
Page 59
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
Operating Instructions
55
2012-07-02
166-371M
Hopper Lids
Hopper Lid Safety Information
Entrapment and Rapid Suffocation Hazard:
Never enter a hopper for loading, unloading or routine
maintenance. Leave strainer in place except when instructed to
remove it. Keep lid tightly closed during operations. Keep lid
locked closed or, during storage, locked slightly open. Store
ladder to discourage access to lid area. Keep children away
from drill.
▲ A hopper that is full, or merely appears full, can be an
entrapment hazard. You can sink entirely into the grain, or
into an oxygen-deficient void, and suffocate in a matter of
seconds. Grain bridges and crusts are especially
dangerous.
▲ When hazardous fumes or low oxygen levels are present,
you can be quickly overcome even in an empty hopper with
the lid open. There may be no odours to alert you to the
hazard.
Blowing Debris and Inhalation Hazards:
Turn off fan before opening hopper lids. Wear eye protection
and dust mask or respirator. Hoppers are mildly pressurized
and air is circulating in the hopper when the fan is running.
Opening a lid with the fan running can expose you to blowing
seed, fertilizer and treatment chemicals. Even with the fan off,
adding seed or fertilizer will create a dust cloud. Risks include
exposure to hazardous chemicals, lung and eye irritation.
Planting Consistency Risk:
Check lid seals for damage at frequent intervals. Check that
latch closes lid tightly. Check hopper pressure reported by the
seed monitor. Avoid metering problems caused by air leaks.
Air leaks can cause irregular metering of materials.
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