General Loading Advice

If you are involved with moving plant then you are going to spend a fair bit of time on a building site, as a rule you'll invariably be in the way someone will want you out of their way ASAP. Unfortunately this can lead to hurrying and you may find yourself in a dangerous situation, try and work out a methodical way of doing things so that you don't miss something important.

Position
Firstly find somewhere suitable to load / unload, ideally level(ish) and look out for overhead cables and scaffolding. Sometimes you'll end up loading on the road which is far from ideal and can be dangerous.

When I load on the road I will if possible stop with the cab to the oncoming traffic, If you've got beacons, cones or whatever use them, once the ramps are down the lights disappear. Keep your ramps up until you're ready to unload and fold them up as soon as the machine is on or off, then you get the rear lights back and if someone runs into the back of the truck they won't end up on it.

Familiarity
If you've never driven a machine like it before make sure you figure out the basic controls before attempting to load it. You are about to drive a big machine up a narrow ramp on to a 4' high platform, make sure you're happy to do so. If you're not happy about something chances are there will be a machine driver who can advise you or do it for you. Don't be afraid to ask.

Loading
If there's any mud on the machine that will fall off whilst you are travelling, knock it off first whilst the machine is on the ground.

Get lined up properly before trying to climb the ramps, avoid corrections whilst you are climbing them. Don't stop start stop start, take it slow but steady rather than unsettle the machine. Once you are on board you can make minor corrections, get out and have a look if you are unsure. Check the cabguards (if fitted) on the roof are secure and move any magnetic flashing beacons out of harms way.

If you are holding someone up and can pull up outside the site to secure the load do so, you won't get many thanks but you may need a forklift driver another time. Plus you won't end up rushing.

Before Leaving
Take a good look at the load, does it look OK? Could you use another strap or chain? Whilst I don't advocate doing a spiderman job, straps do no good in the toolbox if you are unsure strap it. Do you know your travelling height? Ideally you should measure the machine whilst it's on the ground and add the height of the truck bed plus a few inches margin. Turn your beacons off when you leave.