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Two signs that it's time to replace the seating in your heavy construction equipment

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The seating in a piece of heavy construction equipment needs to be replaced at least once every couple of years (or even more frequently, if the equipment is used on a daily basis). Here are two signs that it's time to replace your equipment's seat system.

You experience back and neck pain after operating the equipment for more than a few minutes

The truck seats in forklifts, excavators and other types of heavy construction equipment usually have lumbar and neck cushioning.

This cushioning is designed to keep the operator's spine in a neutral position whilst they are sitting inside the cab of the equipment so that they do not injure their back or neck.

However, over time, the pressure placed on this cushioning by the operator's body weight can lead to it becoming distorted. This, in turn, can affect its ability to support the operator's spine and help them to maintain a healthy posture.

If this happens to the seating inside your equipment and you continue to use this machinery without replacing the seat, there is a very good chance that you will begin to develop serious, chronic back problems (such as sciatica, for example).

As such, if you start to experience twinges in your neck or lower back areas when you use your equipment, you should arrange to have the seating replaced as soon as possible.

The machinery's vibrations seem to be unusually strong

Virtually all forms of heavy construction equipment vibrate quite violently whilst they are in use. However, the seats in these vehicles normally have suspension systems, which are designed to absorb the impact of these vibrations.

This, in turn, minimises the forcefulness and the frequency with which the equipment operators are thrown from their seats each time the machinery vibrates.

It is extremely important to replace your equipment's seat if you notice that the machinery's vibrations feel a lot more powerful than they usually do, as this could be a sign that the suspension system has started to deteriorate to the point where it can no longer perform its primary function.

Continuing to use your equipment after its suspension system has deteriorated will not only make for a very uncomfortable driving experience but could also put you at risk of permanent, nerve damage. If this happens, you may end up having pain, tingling and numbness in your affected body parts for the rest of your life.


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