6
SECTION 2
GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION
Equipment
For mobility-impaired drivers, the following additional equip-
ment should be installed in the Argo vehicle:
- roll-over protection
- a special seat assisting the driver in maintaining his/her
seating position
- four-point safety harness
- fire extinguisher within reach of the driver
Maximum Payload
Due to the additionally installed equipment, including any
other ARGO accessories, the maximum available payload of
the vehicle must be reduced accordingly; refer to Section 1 in
your ARGO Operator’s Manual under Argo Vehicle Capacity.
Never exceed the maximum load capacity of the vehicle.
General
Ensure that the on-board fire extinguisher is fully charged at
all times and have it inspected on a regular basis by qualified
personnel.
We recommend that you do not venture out in your Argo
without being accompanied by an able-bodied person to assist
you in case you encounter difficulty. If this is not possible,
make sure that adequate communications equipment (eg. cell
phone, two-way radio) with an independent power supply is
on-board and communication lines are open at all times to call
for help if necessary. Remember, a simple technical failure
could leave you stranded.
If parts of your body are pain insensitive, please take extra
care to ensure that your skin does not touch components of
the Argo that may be hot. Also, be aware of hot air exhaust
outlets and moving parts.
If your vehicle is equipped with an optional wheelchair swing-
arm lift, make sure that the lift line and the swing arm are
secured. An unsecured lift arm or line could injure bystand-
ers or property and can also result in loss of control over the
vehicle if it gets caught while driving.
If your vehicle is equipped with a transfer board, ensure that
the board is removed from the body support bracket when not
in use and safely stored in a spot convenient to reach.
Water Operation
Carefully read Section 5 of the Operator’s Manual covering
water operation.
Enter the water from a firm gradual slope. If the water is deep
enough for the vehicle to float, unlatch all safety belts and
restraining devices, including the operator's. In shallow water
be prepared to free yourself from restraining devices quickly.
If an emergency arises, you and your passengers may have to
leave the vehicle quickly.
If the vehicle is equipped with an optional ROPS (2 or 4 per-
son), hard top and fabric sides, roll the sides up to allow for
a quick exit in case the vehicle submerges and to reduce the
surface exposed to the wind.
Be aware that the weight of the ROPS makes the vehicle more
likely to rollover in water than an un-accessorized vehicle.
We do not recommend the use of your Argo on frozen water
surfaces because of the danger of breaking through the ice and
the risk of exposure in cold water. (Refer to Section 5 of the
Operator’s Manual.) If you must cross ice-covered bodies of
water, take along an able-bodied person to assist if difficulties
are encountered.
Land Operation
When your vehicle is equipped with a ROPS and operating on
land, make sure all occupants including yourself are wearing
the seat belts and you are strapped in your seat firmly at all
times. Loss of seating position could result in loss of control
of the vehicle.
Be constantly aware of the overall height and width of your
Argo vehicle equipped with the ROPS. Watch out for low
objects, eg. brush, branches, etc. which could strike the ROPS
and cause the vehicle to stop abruptly, rollover, or go out of
control.
Due to the weight of the ROPS, your vehicle is more likely
to rollover on land than a standard Argo vehicle. Ensure pas-
sengers and operator remain seated at all times and keep all
cargo low and evenly distributed.
Seat belts must be properly adjusted and worn by all occupants
at all times EXCEPT when the vehicle is floating in water.
We have provided this information because we want you
to enjoy your mobility in the outdoors safely. However,
please keep in mind that all the warnings and instructions
in the world cannot replace common sense. You’ve got
it – please use it.
