The digging and loading/unloading operations of a wheel loader for agriculture and farm use are achieved through the movement of its working device. The operating essentials for a wheel loader are as follows:
I. Starting
(I) Steps
1. Raise the boom and rotate the bucket upwards, so that the lower hinge point of the boom is 40 to 50 centimeters above the ground.
2. Hold the steering wheel with your right hand and place the gear lever in the desired gear with your left hand.
3. Observe the surroundings of the machine and sound the horn.
4. Release the handbrake lever.
5. Gradually depress the accelerator pedal to start the loader smoothly.
(II) Operating Essentials
When starting, listen to the engine sound. If the engine speed decreases, continue to depress the accelerator pedal to increase the engine speed for easier starting.
II. Shifting Gears
(I) Steps
1. Upshifting
(1) Gradually increase the throttle to increase the vehicle speed to a certain level.
(2) While quickly releasing the accelerator pedal, place the gear lever in the higher gear position.
2. Downshifting
(1) Release the accelerator pedal to reduce the driving speed.
(2) Place the gear lever in the lower gear position while simultaneously depressing the accelerator pedal.
Changing between forward and reverse gears should be done while the wheel loader with hydrostatic transmission is stopped.
(II) Operating Essentials
Before upshifting, you must accelerate. After releasing the accelerator pedal, the gear shifting action should be quick. Before downshifting, in addition to reducing the engine speed, you can also use the foot brake to assist in deceleration. When shifting gears, both eyes should be focused ahead, maintaining the correct driving posture, and you should not look down at the gear lever; at the same time, you must control the steering wheel well, and not let the loader deviate from its course due to gear shifting, to prevent accidents.
III. Steering
(I) Steps
1. Hold the steering wheel with one hand and turn on the turn signal switch with the other hand.
2. Hold the steering wheel with both hands and manipulate the steering wheel to correct the driving direction as needed.
3. Turn off the turn signal switch.
(II) Operating Essentials
1. Before turning, reduce the driving speed according to the road conditions, and shift to a lower gear if necessary. 2. When correcting the direction of travel while driving in a straight line, turn the steering wheel slightly and then return it promptly. Avoid sudden and forceful turns, which can cause the loader to swerve erratically. When turning, rotate the steering wheel significantly according to the road curvature, so that the front wheels follow the curve. When the front wheels approach the new direction, begin to straighten the wheels, adjusting the speed of straightening to suit the curve.
3. Use the turn signal switch correctly, avoiding leaving it on without turning it off.
IV. Braking
Braking methods can be divided into anticipatory braking and emergency braking. The operator should choose the correct method during driving to ensure driving safety.
(I) Anticipatory Braking
When the loader is in motion, the operator observes changes in terrain, pedestrians, vehicles, and other traffic conditions, or anticipates potentially complex situations, and takes deliberate measures to slow down or stop. This is called anticipatory braking. Anticipatory braking not only ensures driving safety but also prevents damage to machine parts and tires. Therefore, this is the best and most frequently used braking method. There are two types of predictive braking operations:
1. Deceleration braking: This is primarily used to limit the loader's speed by reducing engine speed while the gear lever is in the working position. It is generally used before stopping, before shifting to a lower gear, when going downhill, and when traversing uneven terrain. The method is: after noticing a situation, first release the accelerator pedal, use the engine's low-speed traction to control the driving speed, and decelerate the loader.  Depending on the situation, continuously or intermittently lightly press the brake pedal to further reduce the loader's speed.
2. Parking braking: Used when parking. The method is: release the accelerator pedal, and when the loader's speed decreases to a certain extent, press the clutch pedal and simultaneously lightly press the brake pedal to bring the loader to a smooth stop.
(II) Emergency Braking
When a loader encounters an emergency situation while driving, the operator quickly uses the brakes to stop the loader in the shortest possible distance to avoid an accident. This is called emergency braking. Emergency braking can cause significant damage to the loader's components and tires, and often, due to inconsistent braking torque between the left and right wheels, or differences in the adhesion between the left and right wheels and the road surface, the loader may "drift," "skid," and lose directional control. Therefore, emergency braking should only be used when absolutely necessary. The operating method is: firmly grip the steering wheel, quickly release the accelerator pedal, forcefully press the brake pedal, and simultaneously pull the handbrake lever to fully utilize the maximum braking force of the brakes, causing the loader to stop immediately.
When using emergency braking on a loader, the wheels will lock up, and the rear wheels often... Sideways skidding can cause the loader to rotate and vibrate violently, and in severe cases, it can cause the loader to turn around, especially on surfaces with poor traction (such as ice, snow, or muddy roads), where it is more common and pronounced. To prevent and mitigate rear-wheel skidding, loader training suggests the following measures:
1. Use the "intermittent braking" method to prevent or minimize wheel lock-up. The specific operation method is as follows: Use your left foot to press the brake pedal with maximum force, aiming to lock the wheels in a short time; at the moment of initial lock-up, immediately reduce the force on the pedal (without completely releasing the brake pedal) to prevent wheel lock-up or skidding; then, press the brake pedal again with force, aiming to lock the wheels in a short time, and then reduce the force on the pedal. Repeating this operation can achieve better braking results and reduce skidding.
2. When skidding is detected, immediately stop braking; and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the wheel's skid. After the loader's position is corrected, smoothly turn the steering wheel back to the normal driving position.
V. Parking
1. Release the accelerator pedal to slow down the loader.
2. Press the brake pedal according to the stopping distance to stop the loader at the designated location.
3. Put the gear lever in neutral.
4. Pull the handbrake lever to the braking position.
5. Lower the boom so that the bucket is on the ground.
VI. Reversing
Reversing should be done after the loader has completely stopped. The starting, steering, and braking operations during reversing are the same as when moving forward.
(I) Driving Posture
When reversing, observe the situation behind the machine in a timely manner, using the following postures: Maneuvering Techniques:
1. Reversing while looking out the rear window: Hold the top of the steering wheel with your left hand to control the direction, turn your upper body to the right, slightly tilt your lower body, rest your right arm on the top of the backrest, turn your head to the rear, and keep your eyes on the target behind you.
2. Reversing while looking in the rearview mirror: This is an indirect method of observing the target, determining how much to turn the steering wheel by observing the distance between the rear of the vehicle and the target in the rearview mirror. This method is generally used when rearward visibility is difficult.
(II) Target Selection
When reversing while looking out the rear window, you can choose the garage door, the site, or buildings or trees near the parking position as targets, observing the center or corners of the rear of the vehicle while reversing.
(III) Operating Essentials
When reversing, you should first observe the surrounding terrain, vehicles, and pedestrians. If necessary, get out of the vehicle to check, give a reversing signal, and sound the horn to warn pedestrians; then, engage reverse gear and reverse using the same method as starting forward. When reversing, the vehicle speed should not be too fast; keep the pedal steady, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration to prevent stalling or accidents caused by excessive speed.
When turning while reversing, to turn the rear of the vehicle to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left; conversely, turn it to the right. For sharp turns, turn quickly; for gentle turns, turn slowly. Master the operating principle of "slow driving, quick steering." Because the turning radius of the outer front wheel is greater than that of the rear wheel when turning in reverse, under the premise of controlling the direction, loader training emphasizes paying special attention to whether the front outer wheel and the working device collide with other objects or obstacles.