When parking a machine on uneven ground, which steps should you take?

• A. Turn off engine and immediately move away without using wheel chocks.
• B. Leave attachments in working position and proceed slowly.
• C. Engage parking brake, lower attachments to rest position, use wheel chocks if provided, and avoid moving on uneven ground.
• D. Disable the parking brake after setting the machine on uneven ground.

Answer: (C)

When parking on uneven ground, the priority is to prevent any movement of the machine and keep it stable. Engage the parking brake to lock the wheels, which helps keep the machine from rolling. Lower the attachments to their rest position so the load is supported and the hydraulic system isn’t under load or at risk of drifting. If wheel chocks are provided, place them to physically block the wheels and further reduce the chance of movement. Above all, avoid moving the machine on uneven ground until it’s on a stable surface, because slopes or irregular terrain can cause tipping or unexpected shifts. Skipping these steps, such as leaving the engine running and moving away, leaving attachments in a working position, or disabling the parking brake, creates a real risk of uncontrolled movement or rollover.