December 14th, 2022Bogged down: department issues advice for recovering bogged machinery

With the recent flooding and significant rain events across the state, landholders throughout the Hepburn shire and surrounding rural areas, are among those who may now be worried about bogged machinery on their property.

The state’s Agriculture department has issued some advice to help. It includes:

Have a plan for recovery before starting work in the paddock:

• check conditions before entering areas where the ground could be boggy
• assess the situation:

1. can you wait for drier conditions?
2. can you dig out the farm machinery?

• think about maps to show boggy areas to contractors and employees
• reduce or remove weight from the machinery
• use suitable recovery equipment – check the ratings of straps and shackles so you know the working load limit (WLL) and break strength, and how to interpret for recovery
• minimise people in the recovery area
• check the communication between machinery operators, for example, use a phone or UHF radio
• use appropriate anchor points
• consider where (if any) weight can be added to the recovery vehicle
• consider which direction to tow the bogged machinery
• consider how the recovery vehicle will be positioned
• place a dampener onto the recovery equipment.

For more information visit  Worksafe’s agriculture page.