The importance of properly jacking and blocking farm equipment

Jacking and blocking farm equipment are critical steps in ensuring the worker remains safe and prevents damage to your equipment.

Jacks are used to lift equipment to make parts more accessible for repairs and maintenance. Blocks or chocks are supports utilized under equipment, preventing it from shifting or falling. It is important to note that jacks are used only to get equipment off the ground and should never be used to hold equipment in place. Support stands must be put in place right away after jacking.

Anyone using a jack must be trained and evaluated to ensure they are competent to do so. They must be trained on the specific task and safety procedures for using a jack and support stands. Always ensure the jack you are using has adequate weight capacity for the equipment being lifted. Ensure you have the right equipment and know how to use it correctly. This includes the jack, support stands, wheel chocks and any other required equipment.  

Before you begin, inspect all jacks for leaks or damage and proper operation. Jacks and stands must be in good condition with locking mechanisms in place and working properly. Ensure the equipment is in a safe location away from other potential vehicular traffic. Assess the work area and make sure the ground is level, stable and can support the weight. Never jack any equipment up on soft or uneven ground. 

When using a jack to lift equipment, you must:

• Know the weight limit of the jack and stands you are using and do not overload.
• Make sure the capacity rating and warning labels are visible on all equipment.
• Always use wheel chocks. Never jack up equipment without chocking the wheels.
• The equipment must be unloaded before jacking and any cargo that can shift unexpectedly needs to be removed. Never jack up a heavily loaded piece of equipment.
• Remember to remove all attachments that may be adding extra weight.
• Ensure any attachments or parts of the equipment that can move are secured before lifting the equipment.
• Be sure the equipment is in park and that the parking brake is on before you jack up the equipment.
• Make sure no one is in or around the equipment and that there are no tools or other obstructions in the area. 
• Inspect the equipment for any defects such as structural rust, corrosion or other damage. 
• Use proper placement for the jack and support stands and centre the jack under the lifting point. 
• Never place the jack so that the weight of the equipment rests on something that can bend or break. 
• Be aware of the jack handle. Some mechanically operated jacks can kick when a load is lifted or lowered. Always stand to the side when jacking, never straddle the jack handle and always remove the handle when it is not in use.
• Never lift the equipment higher than is necessary.
• Place properly rated support stands that are locked into position under the equipment. 
• Put a support stand in place close to the jack and under a similar lifting point. 
• Gently lower the equipment to ensure it sits securely on the support stands. 
• Conduct a balance test. A balance test is essentially shaking the equipment to ensure it is sitting stably on the support stands and that the wheels are blocked properly. 
• Reset the jack and support stands if the equipment is not stable or if the stands start to lean. Once the supports are reset, ensure they remain secure or add additional support stands if required.  

Remember that removal or installation of parts can shift the centre of gravity, making the raised equipment unstable. 

Always use support stands or blocks. Never allow raised equipment to remain supported by jacks alone. Jacks are made to lift, not to support. Never go under equipment that is solely supported by a jack.

When lowering, check around the equipment for obstructions and replace the jack (if it has been removed). Raise the equipment slightly to release the locks, remove the support stands and lower the equipment slowly to the ground.

Blocking all forms of energy is important when working under or around any raised part of the equipment or any part of the equipment that can move while you are completing your task. Consider all forms of energy that can make part of the equipment move such as hydraulic energy, pressurized liquids or air and gravity.

Hazards can include moving and falling machine parts that can be very dangerous for anyone in the area as well as causing potential damage to the equipment.

• When parts of the equipment are raised or can move, appropriate locks or blocking must be put in place.
• Ensure blocks, chocks or other locking devices are adequate to secure the item from moving.
• Inspect blocks, chocks and any other locking devices to ensure they are in good working condition.
• Do not use softwood, cement blocks, cinder blocks or any other material that may not be able to remain sturdy or sustain the weight of the item being blocked.
• Always ensure cylinder locks are in place if any part of the equipment is held up by hydraulic cylinders. Raised parts of the equipment should either be lowered or secured in place with some form of lock or block.
• Appropriate chocks must be in place to stop wheels from moving.

Consider the task you will be completing and assess if the task may cause the vehicle or equipment to become unstable. If so, put additional blocks or supports in place. When in doubt, ensure you use some form of blocking just in case there is the potential for part of the equipment to shift, move or roll. Blocking or jacking with the correct equipment ensures that the weight is distributed evenly, preventing unnecessary wear or stress on specific parts.

When it is necessary to jack a piece of farm equipment to complete repairs or maintenance, blocking and jacking are critical to reducing risks, preventing equipment damage and maintaining a safe working environment. Proper training and safety protocols should always be followed when handling heavy machinery.