Vulcan inspection loader question

Mur Huwcun · Dec 20, 2019

Bloders said:
@Campbell can back me up here I think.
Having recently done my LOLER training, it is a requirment that the item you are inspecting has a SWL and a unique ID.
What it does not mandate is that the SWL is particularly accurate - if thats your only problem, id get some decals from somewhere that state "SWL - 1000 kgs"

There are many companies out there who can undertake LOLER inspections. The issue generally is lots of people dont understand the regs, and the NFU suggest someone who is able to issue the report (im not commenting on the inspection side of it)

Nothing really stopping you painting a SWL on with a paintbrush! We had to mark all jacks, cranes and axle stands with paint brush or marker last year to ensure it was clearly marked as the stamps were not clear enough for a casual user.....

BRBX · Dec 20, 2019

When we've had them out they ring to ask if you've done the defects after a few weeks and we have!!!!?
I'm thinking if there was ever an incident if you've had the inspection your in the clear ????

Steevo · Dec 20, 2019

I’d never have Vulcan in the place again.

Had them out to do report on an accident damaged loader that was damaged beyond safe repair. They had very little knowledge of loaders - just more interested in the paperwork side than the actual safe functioning.

Greatly disappointed by my only experience of them despite expecting them to know their stuff.

Despite being insured with NFUM now (wasn’t then) I won’t consider having anything tested by them. I assume NFUM also receive some element of payment/introduction fee from them for recommending them for the testing services.

FarmyStu · Dec 20, 2019

I think there's a lot of ignorance in here as to what constitutes a LOLER inspection. It certainly does not include steering linkages and the like on a typical farm loader. This sort of "mission creep" suits inspection companies as they often get the rectification work. But it is not LOLER. Look at the regs online. If you can't be bothered then you remain at their mercy.......

kiwi pom · Dec 20, 2019

If all they are doing is an inspection, why cant it be done by any qualified mechanic?

I seem to remember this coming up before on here (memory's crap though) and it was found it could be but like many things advice is taken as meaning law.

ACEngineering · Dec 20, 2019

Steevo said:
I’d never have Vulcan in the place again.

Had them out to do report on an accident damaged loader that was damaged beyond safe repair. They had very little knowledge of loaders - just more interested in the paperwork side than the actual safe functioning.

Greatly disappointed by my only experience of them despite expecting them to know their stuff.

Despite being insured with NFUM now (wasn’t then) I won’t consider having anything tested by them. I assume NFUM also receive some element of payment/introduction fee from them for recommending them for the testing services.

i think NFU own vulcan?

either way they is some deal between them. At least if you use Farmers and mercantile there inspectors are actually employed directly by them and the inspection bill comes from F&M.

ACEngineering · Dec 20, 2019

kiwi pom said:
If all they are doing is an inspection, why cant it be done by any qualified mechanic?

I seem to remember this coming up before on here (memory's crap though) and it was found it could be but like many things advice is taken as meaning law.

Because the person that tests the machine can not be the person that maintains it.

ACEngineering · Dec 20, 2019

FarmyStu said:
I think there's a lot of ignorance in here as to what constitutes a LOLER inspection. It certainly does not include steering linkages and the like on a typical farm loader. This sort of "mission creep" suits inspection companies as they often get the rectification work. But it is not LOLER. Look at the regs online. If you can't be bothered then you remain at their mercy.......

thats because they always do a puwer test at the same time which is also a legal requirement.

Bobthebuilder · Dec 20, 2019

shepherdess said:
Sadly don’t think we can now they have done it, and another might be same!

tell them to do 1 and get your local dealer to do the inspection for you, alsothe only attachments that need a ticket are pallet forks and anything used for lifting like a jib /hook attachment, buckets/grabs/spikes don't as i was told by our local dealer who does ours every year AND loader on tractor

kiwi pom · Dec 20, 2019

ACEngineering said:
Because the person that tests the machine can not be the person that maintains it.

So a qualified mechanic can test it as long as they are not the ones responsible for servicing it?

Mur Huwcun · Dec 20, 2019

kiwi pom said:
So a qualified mechanic can test it as long as they are not the ones responsible for servicing it?

Any competent person can but you do need to be registered for the scheme and some hoops to jump through etc. Same engineer can’t inspect and repair the machine though.

FarmyStu · Dec 20, 2019

ACEngineering said:
thats because they always do a puwer test at the same time which is also a legal requirement.

PUWER 98 is simply a set of regulations that apply to all work equipment. I.e. Equipment must be safe to use. There is no "test" as such. You just have to comply. But you're right, that's the reg that they're failing people against when they find defective lights, seats or broken screens and the like. The point is it's not LOLER which is what they're there for.

Half Pipe · Dec 20, 2019

Mur Huwcun said:
Same understanding here. You could potentially have a loader boom inspected today on a 12month old perfectly maintained tractor with a SWL of 1500kg. Once the inspector is down the road the boom could be back on the old knackerd 2wd tractor that couldn’t manage a silage bale safel.

When our loader is tested paper work shows tractor reg and serial numbers that loader was attached to during inspection

Half Pipe · Dec 20, 2019

ACEngineering said:
i think NFU own vulcan? either way they is some deal between them. At least if you use Farmers and mercantile there inspectors are actually employed directly by them and the inspection bill comes from F&M.

They wear British engineering services overalls, just a Vulcan hat when booked through NFU!

Bloders · Dec 21, 2019

kiwi pom said:
If all they are doing is an inspection, why cant it be done by any qualified mechanic?

I seem to remember this coming up before on here (memory's crap though) and it was found it could be but like many things advice is taken as meaning law.

The person undertaking the inspection (and i deliberatly use the work inspection, it is not a test at all) must be independant fromt he person who undertakes the repairs (you cannot mark your own homework)
The person undertaking the inspection must be competent. Do be competent, you must have both practical and theoretical understanding of the topic.
The easiest way to achieve these requirements is to attend a specialist training course. However, if you feel you can demonstrate the requirements, then do your own, as long as you dont fix the machine as well.

Bramble · Dec 21, 2019

Engineering inspection fees from Vulcan were nearly £900 at my insurance renewal, it was the biggest single cost and was 30% of the total cost.

More than wages cover for 4 staff, and more than personal medical cover, which I thought would be the expensive bits

Andrew · Dec 21, 2019

Bramble said:
Engineering inspection fees from Vulcan were nearly £900 at my insurance renewal, it was the biggest single cost and was 30% of the total cost.

More than wages cover for 4 staff, and more than personal medical cover, which I thought would be the expensive bits

How many machines does that cover though, and 6 or 12month inspections?

£110 for a LOLER on a telehandler here, or free if it’s with a 1000hr service. £10 per attachment (prices from memory only so could be wrong).

glasshouse · Dec 21, 2019

multi power said:
I've never ever seen a safe working load on a loader attachment, I'd question the need for them

Always wondered what SWL stood for!

Steevo · Dec 21, 2019

Bramble said:
Engineering inspection fees from Vulcan were nearly £900 at my insurance renewal, it was the biggest single cost and was 30% of the total cost.

More than wages cover for 4 staff, and more than personal medical cover, which I thought would be the expensive bits

Have you priced it up elsewhere?

shepherdess · Dec 21, 2019

Many thanks for all your reply’s we will contact them Monday and see where we go from their

Vulcan inspection loader question

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