Arctic Cat ALTERRA 400, Operator'S Manual

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! WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
18
Boots/Ankle Protection
Wear a boot that covers the largest possi-
ble area of your leg (preferably up to
your knee) and can handle significant
impact. Choosing boots with low heels
and a good tread will help prevent your
feet from slipping off the footrests in wet
or rugged conditions or getting hurt if
they get hit by rocks, dirt, or branches.
Eye Protection
Wear eye protection, such as goggles, to
completely surround your eyes to prevent
getting dirt or other items in your eyes.
Do not depend on sunglasses for proper
eye protection. Sunglasses are not recom-
mended; they don’t prevent objects from
flying in through the sides.
Long Pants and Long
Sleeved Shirt
The goal is to protect your body from
branches, long grass, airborne objects, or
anything else that could scrape your skin.
The more thick and durable the material,
the better protection it’ll provide. Riding
pants with kneepads, a jersey, and shoul-
der pads provide the best protection.
The second step in Prevention is checking
the condition of your ATV. Chances are
good that you’ll be using your ATV in
some rough terrain, and there’s no way you
want your brakes to go out when riding
downhill. You need to check the following
parts on your ATV before every ride.
1. Tires and Wheels
2. Controls and Cables
3. Lights and Electric
4. Oil and Fuel
5. Chassis
6. Miscellaneous Items
1. Tires and Wheels
Correct tire pressure is crucial. Consult the
Specifications section of this Operator’s
Manual for tire pressure guidelines. Incor-
rect tire pressure can cause poor handling,
instability, and a loss of ATV control.
While checking the tire pressure, inspect
the tread and sidewalls of the tires for
cracks, cuts, or other damage that could
indicate they need to be replaced.
2. Controls and Cables
With the engine running and brake
applied, check all transmission posi-
tions: low, high, neutral, and reverse.
A. Brakes
Squeeze the hand brake lever. If it feels soft
or “squishy,” it could be low on fluid or
have a leak — refer to the General Mainte-
nance section of this Operator’s Manual for
instructions. Don’t use the ATV until the
brakes are operating normally.
Test the brake lever lock and see if it
locks the hand brake lever into position;
then disengage it to release the brake. Be
sure the rear foot brake near the footrest
is working; your brakes could fail during
a ride if they’re not maintained.
B. Throttle
Before starting the ATV, push the throttle
lever several times. The throttle should
have a free, smooth range of motion. If it
seems to “stick” at any point, refer to the
General Maintenance section of this
Operator’s Manual for instructions. Driv-
ing your ATV with a sticking throttle can
turn your leisurely ride into an unwel-
come accident. Don’t drive your ATV if
the throttle sticks.
Condition of the ATV
Check:
1. Tire pressure
2. Tire surface (tread and sidewalls)
Check:
1. Low
2. High
2. Neutral
3. Reverse
Check:
1. Hand brake lever
2. Rear foot brake
3. Brake lever lock