Centaur amphibious, off-road utility vehicle Operator'S Manual Download Page 2 | Manualshive

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT YOUR CENTAUR

Thank you for selecting a CENTAUR amphibious, off-road utility vehicle!

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited has been building off road vehicles since 1967. By listening carefully to our
customers and responding to their needs, we have been constantly improving them and will continue to do
so.

Over thirty thousand vehicles have provided reliable service all over the world. From Britain to the Far East,
Alaska to the Antarctic, and from the tropical forests of South America to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. We are
proud to provide you with a vehicle that represents the ultimate in amphibious, all-terrain transportation.

Your safety and the safety of all CENTAUR users is of the greatest concern to us. You will find numerous
safety statements in this manual. Please read and follow them carefully. Always be safety conscious when
you operate your CENTAUR and remember it is a motorized vehicle.

The CENTAUR is easy to drive and you will soon be tempted to take on new challenges. Please take the
time to develop your driving skills before doing so. Observe the recommendations outlined in this Opera-
tor’s Manual and remember; some things are just impossible, even with a CENTAUR.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD WIDE CENTAUR FAMILY!

Centaur Service Manual

Ontario Drive & Gear has a service manual which provides the Centaur owner
with step-by-step instructions on how to perform full service procedures on
your vehicle. Everything from removal and replacement of brake pads to re-
building the transmission. It’s all there. Removal and replacement of engines is
included, however, engine overhaul is not. A separate overhaul manual is avail-
able for each engine from your Centaur dealer. Order the service manual on
CD-ROM from your dealer.

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Summary of Contents for amphibious, off-road utility vehicle

Page 1: ...Ontario Drive Gear Limited 220 Bergey Court New Hamburg Ontario N3A 2J5 Telephone 519 662 2840 Fax 519 662 2421 www centaur8x8 ca MANUAL NO 671 102 Printed in Canada 2007 07 12 Do not remove this manual from this vehicle ...

Page 2: ...this manual Please read and follow them carefully Always be safety conscious when you operate your CENTAUR and remember it is a motorized vehicle The CENTAUR is easy to drive and you will soon be tempted to take on new challenges Please take the time to develop your driving skills before doing so Observe the recommendations outlined in this Opera tor s Manual and remember some things are just impo...

Page 3: ...at can result in personal injury or death Cautions are identified in the text by the following symbol Caution text contains cautions that can prevent damage to the vehicle This manual is based on the latest product information available at the time of printing Ontario Drive Gear Limited reserves the right to make changes at any time and without obligation Reproduction of any part of this publicati...

Page 4: ...pecial operating and safety procedures described in this manual must be observed before and during water operation as outlined in Section 5 6 The use of approved hearing protection is recommended Equip your vehicle with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit Equip your vehicle with basic tools for emergency repairs Before starting your engine check for spilled fuel and wipe any up immediately Any...

Page 5: ...STRUCTIONS 3 1 STEERING 7 3 2 BRAKES 7 3 3 PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE 7 3 4 THROTTLE CONTROL 7 3 5 STARTING PROCEDURE 7 3 5 1 Gasoline Powered 7 3 5 2 Diesel Powered 8 3 6 STOPPING THE ENGINE 8 3 7 SELECTING AND CHANGING TRANSMISSION GEARS 8 3 8 HEADLIGHTS 9 4 0 DRIVING PROCEDURES 4 1 DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD 10 4 2 STOPPING THE VEHICLE 10 4 3 TURNING THE VEHICLE 10 4 4 BACKING THE VEHICLE UP 10 4 4 1 ...

Page 6: ...er 17 6 3 4 Transmission Oil Filter 18 6 4 LUBRICATIONINFORMATION 18 6 4 1 General 18 6 4 2 Drive Chain Lubrication 18 6 4 3 Driven Clutch Maintenance 18 6 4 4 Axle Bearing Lubrication 18 7 0 MAINTENANCE INFORMATION 7 1 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 7 1 1 General 19 7 1 2 Battery 19 Checking Fluid Level 19 Charging the Battery 19 Cleaning the Battery Terminals and Cable Connections 19 Cleaning the Battery ...

Page 7: ...NT 27 7 7 MAINTENANCESCHEDULE 28 8 0 TROUBLESHOOTING 29 9 0 CLEANINGANDSTORAGE 9 1 CLEANINGTHEVEHICLE 31 9 2 STORINGTHEVEHICLE 31 Clean the Vehicle 31 Drain the Fuel System 31 Prepare the Battery for Storage 31 Protect the Electrical System 31 Raise the Vehicle 31 Preparing the Engine for Storage 31 10 0 POTENTIALHAZARDS 32 11 0 ACCESSORYINFORMATION 11 1 GENERAL 36 11 2 REARCARGOTIEDOWNBARS PartNo...

Page 8: ...ions 43 11 11 CABHEATER PartNo 848 110 43 11 12 DUMPBOXKIT PartNo 835 100 43 11 13 CARGOLINER PartNo 848 123 43 11 14 CENTAURFOURPOINTLIFTKIT PartNo 848 121 43 11 15 LIGHTGUARDKIT PartNo 849 134 44 11 16 BRUSHGUARDKIT PartNo 849 191 44 11 17 MUDFLAPEXTENDERS PartNo 821 105 44 11 18 TRANSMISSIONOILHEATER PartNo 613 103 44 11 19 SPEEDOMETERKIT PartNo 849 165 44 APPENDIX 1 SPECIALTOOLS 10RVICEGRIPMOD...

Page 9: ...tion or take the vehicle to a CENTAUR dealer for service This manual does not provide detailed maintenance or serv icing information for the engine Refer to the engine manu facturer s manual supplied with each CENTAUR for im portant warranty service and operating information If the engine requires servicing take the vehicle to an author ized engine service outlet 1 3 WIND CHILL FACTOR Why does it ...

Page 10: ...les Automatically ad justed tensioner for each drive chain Tapered roller bearings in an oil bath support each axle Frame Powder coated 3 inch tubular steel lower body support pan welded construction FEA analyzed for strength and durability Body Vacuum formed lower hull and standard full skid plate formed from high density polyethylene HDPE Load Capacity 1500 lbs 680 kg on land 700 lbs 320 kg in w...

Page 11: ...cks 310 141 SEE WARNING Winter Tracks 515 234 SEE WARNING 3 Do NOT use a Centaur on water when equipped with a snow plow dump box or any tracks The increased weight of the snow plow out front the dump box or tracks will make the Centaur unstable and could cause the vehicle to capsize causing injury or drowning to the driver and passengers 1 6 CE MARKED CENTAURS CE marked Centaurs include CE marked...

Page 12: ...e labels on all models which indicate operating hazards and provide special operating instructions Information about the operation of the vehicle correct fueling procedures and steering system use has been provided on distinctive yellow and black labels fastened to the various locations on the CENTAUR 4 ...

Page 13: ...e intake and exhaust screen for obstruc SECTION 2 GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION tions Clear any debris that has accumulated 2 3 CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO 1 Keep cargo as low as possible and evenly distributed 2 Use extreme CAUTION when negotiating inclines with a loaded vehicle Heavy loads and high loads decrease the stability of the vehicle and may cause it to roll Be prepared to shift occupa...

Page 14: ...ohols or ethers Ex cessive amounts of these blends can damage the fuel system or cause performance problems Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol If any undesirable operating symptoms occur use gasoline with a lower percentage of alcohol or ether Keep fuel tank full Do not over fill fuel tank Allow space for fuel expansion Check for fuel leaks at fuel filter carburetor fuel pump etc Centaur ...

Page 15: ... The steering wheel is locked in the center position when the armrest is in the raised position When the armrest is in the lowered position the steering is unlocked and ready for use Ensure armrest is lowered and steering wheel moves freely before driving the Centaur If the steering lockout feature malfunctions steering will be impaired which could cause an accident resulting in serious injury or ...

Page 16: ...o the OFF position Always re move key from ignition switch when leaving the vehicle un attended 3 7 SELECTING AND CHANGING TRANSMISSION GEARS The CENTAUR is equipped with a four position transmis sion The gearshift lever is located to the left of the dash R Reverse for backing up the vehicle Neutral for starting the engine or idling L Low for use when extra pulling power or very low speed is requi...

Page 17: ...ight and pull down firmly Less force is required to shift into reverse Reverse does not have a synchronizer so it is very important that the engine is idling If reverse gear does not engage the first time use the same technique as for shifting into high and low Do not attempt to move the gearshift from the neutral starting position until the engine idles down completely The Centaur is equipped wit...

Page 18: ...pping the ve hicle 4 3 TURNING THE VEHICLE The Centaur is a skid steer vehicle The rear of the vehicle swings outward during a turn Always take precautions when making turns to avoid hitting persons or objects The steering system is powered by a hydrostatic transmission and works best when engine r p m is higher than at idle Avoid turning the steering wheel when engine is idling Do not use steerin...

Page 19: ...ake suddenly while driving up or down a hill Sudden acceleration or braking can cause the vehicle to roll over causing serious personal injury or death Never attempt to turn the vehicle around on a steep hill or grade Turning the vehicle around on a hill can re sult in the vehicle rolling over and can result in serious injury or death Approach the hill head on to minimize the possibility of slid i...

Page 20: ...position of cargo and passen gers so the vehicle floats level 7 Care must be taken when encountering submerged ob stacles that may upset the vehicle Observe the following safety precautions BEFORE entering the water 1 All occupants must wear an approved personal flotation device PFD or life jacket while traveling in water 2 Equip the vehicle with a paddle and bailing can Optional bilge pump kits P...

Page 21: ...the vehicle is out of the water 5 7 WINTER OPERATION Follow these precautions when operating the Centaur in win ter conditions Equip the vehicle for remote area use as listed in Sec tion 5 1 Keep the battery fully charged and in good condition Use the recommended winter grade of engine oil Do not allow water or snow to accumulate in the vehicle Snow may melt during operation of the vehicle collect...

Page 22: ...rface as water could enter over the opposite side of the vehicle Avoid turning as the Centaur is climbing out to avoid vehicle tip over Break the thin ice around the vehicle with the paddle until there is firm ice for the vehicle to climb onto Be wary of currents which may pull the vehicle under the ice If you feel that you may not be able to get the vehicle back onto safe ice or land you might co...

Page 23: ...l should be between the marks If the level has dropped add oil to bring the level up to the F mark DO NOT OVER FILL Figure 6 1 Oil fill and level location Briggs Stratton Daihatsu engine Do not run the engine if the oil level is above the F mark or below the L mark Premature engine dam age or total engine failure can occur when the oil level is not properly maintained 6 1 2 Recommended Engine Oil ...

Page 24: ...e re moving Remove the dipstick by pulling up The transmission oil level should be even with the mark on the dipstick as shown in Figure 6 3 Add Citgo Transguard Tractor Hydraulic Fluid or equivalent through the transmis sion oil fill dipstick hole until the transmission is filled to the correct level When the oil level is at the lower notch ap proximately one litre can be added DO NOT OVERFILL Re...

Page 25: ...er 1 Stop engine 2 Place a drain pan under fuel filter and loosen drain plug approximately 1 turn 3 Water should drain If necessary operate priming pump to drain water but only until fuel flows from filter Figure 6 4 Fuel Filter 4 Tighten drain plug Bleed air from fuel line 5 Start engine Make sure warning light goes out Check for leaks To replace fuel filter element 1 Disconnect sensor wire Remov...

Page 26: ...le sol vent i e degreaser Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent Gasoline is extremely flammable and can explode if ignited caus ing serious personal injury Allow the chains to dry thoroughly re lubricate generously with Chain Lube and re install Refer to Section 7 2 3 of this manual for drive chain removal and re installation instructions 6 4 3 Driven Clutch Maintenance The driven clutch uses d...

Page 27: ...hile servicing the battery All models are equipped with a 12 volt wet cell type battery The battery is located in the engine compartment on the left side of the engine Checking Fluid Level Check the fluid level every 50 hours of operation Remove the vents and make sure each cell is filled to the fluid level as shown in Figure 7 1 If the fluid has dropped below the fill well add distilled water unt...

Page 28: ...if the drive belt clutch components or other moving parts come loose If engine compartment inspection is necessary while the engine is running use EXTREME CAUTION Keep en gine RPM low Avoid standing directly in line with mov ing components Use a mirror to view the components 7 2 1 DRIVE BELT The drive belt transmits power from the driver clutch on the engine to the driven clutch on the transmissio...

Page 29: ...ce the nylon sliders properly Return the vehicle to a CENTAUR dealer for service 7 2 3 DRIVE CHAINS Roller chain stretch results from wear to the chain pins and bushings because of the loss of lubricant To prevent sprocket damage and unnecessary breakdowns replace the chains when the chain tensioner can no longer take up the chain slack the chain is seized due to rust and lack of lubrication the c...

Page 30: ...T Repair a flat tire by removing the tire completely from the rim Proper tire changing equipment is necessary to remove and remount the tire Apply a radial tire patch on the inside of the tire over the puncture or hole Remount the tire on the rim using ONLY WATER as a bead lubricant Spoon the tire onto the rim to prevent tire bead area damage THE TIRE MAYEXPLODE IF OVER INFLATED Place the tire and...

Page 31: ... 010 feeler gauge 010 is the correct clearance between the left brake pad and the brake disc when the right pad is pressed against the disc 2 Use another 1 2 open wrench to tighten the outer lock nut to the inner one 3 Tighten the adjustment lock nut with a 1 2 wrench so it is snug but the bolt can still be turned freely with fingers Figure 7 12 Tightening the lock nut Figure 7 13 Brake pad wear m...

Page 32: ... ensure that the parking brake will bring the vehicle to a stop when coasting Repeat several times then check the gap be tween brake pad and the disk and readjust if necessary 8 Start up and drive the vehicle for 10 minutes Stop the engine and check that the parking brake caliper has not been dragging Astrong brake material smell and a very hot brake disk would indicate that the parking brake cali...

Page 33: ...e performance is affected the pads are contaminated with lubricant and brake per formance is affected To replace the brake pads Remove both cotter pins from the brake caliper Remove the brake caliper from the transmission using a hex driver to re move the two SHCS mounting bolts accessible through the brake disc hole as shown in Figure 7 16 Without disturbing the connection of the brake line swing...

Page 34: ...ould not rotate Figure 7 18 Position of steering spring plate 7 5 2 STEERING WHEEL LOCK ADJUSTMENT Adjust the steering cable so that the wheel will be centered when released Ensure that the steering wheel has unrestricted rotation to the stops located at the bottom of the steering wheel housing Adjust cable if necessary Tighten all nuts and bolts associated with the steering sys tem Ensure that al...

Page 35: ...e assembly when in the neutral position 5 To adjust the shift cables the shifting yokes threaded to the end of the push pull shift cables must be threaded further onto the cable or else threaded out further This is most easily done by loosening off the nuts from the out side of the shift box and adjusting as needed You may need to rotate the clutch to allow the shifting mechanism within the transm...

Page 36: ...VEL CHECK TIRE INFLATION CHECK ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION CHECK BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION CHECK STEERING WHEEL TRAVEL CHECK ENGINE INTAKE EXH FOR OBSTR CHECK THAT DRAIN PLUGS ARE IN PLACE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHANGE ENGINE OIL CHANGE ENGINE OIL FILTER CHANGE TRANSMISSION OIL AND FILTER CHECK CLEAN REPLACE AIR FILTER REPLACE FUEL FILTER SERVICE DRIVEN CLUTCH CHECK AXLE B...

Page 37: ...n 6 Take the vehicle to a factory au thorized engine repair outlet 7 Gas engine fuel delivery system 7 Check that electric fuel pump is is faulty operating Make sure fuel shut off solenoid is activated to allow fuel into carburetor Engine will not run 1 Refer to engine manual Vehicle will not move and or turn 1 Transmission in neutral or not 1 Place gear shift properly in gear properly engaged in ...

Page 38: ... rim in a water tank Air may be escaping through the rim halves or the valve stem Repair as required 4 Defective valve 4 Replace defective valve Hydraulic brakes are spongy 1 Air in hydraulic system 1 Have a CENTAUR dealer bleed or there is excessive brake the brake system and add fluid pedal travel 2 Leak in system 2 Have a CENTAUR dealer check all fittings hoses calipers and seals for loose conn...

Page 39: ... to the fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the treated fuel to reach the engine Prepare the Battery for Storage Remove the battery from the vehicle Clean it and charge it with a battery charger Coat the battery terminals with a multi purpose grease to prevent corrosion Store the battery in a cool dry place Do not store the battery near flames sparks or any...

Page 40: ... or drowning to driver and pas sengers If the vehicle upsets or swamps exposure in cold water significantly reduces the chance of survival Be especially cautious when operating a loaded vehicle cargo and or passengers in water Ob serve the capacity limits Do not enter water if the vehicle is overloaded Use extra caution when operating the Centaur in cold water Operating the Centaur in water when e...

Page 41: ... on both land and in the water and could cause an accident resulting in injury or death to driver and passengers Never exceed the load capacity of the Centaur Follow the recommended load capacity for your vehicle listed in Section 1 Overloading the vehicle Heavy loads and high loads decrease the stabil ity of the vehicle and may cause it to roll Trying to steer an overloaded vehicle can dam age th...

Page 42: ...icle damage may result Do not drive the vehicle at high speeds over un familiar or rough terrain Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills or the conditions Failure to use extra care when operating the Centaur on unfamiliar terrain Personal injury or vehicle damage may result Do not drive the vehicle at high speeds over un familiar or rough terrain Failure to use extra care when operating o...

Page 43: ...ntrol skidding or sliding by practising at slow speeds and on level smooth terrain On extremely slippery surfaces such as ice go slowly and be very cautious in order to reduce the chance of skidding or sliding out of control Improperly operating in reverse You could hit an obstacle or person behind you resulting in serious injury When turning in reverse steering operation is opposite to automobile...

Page 44: ...te them all to 10 psi If the tires were just installed on rims or were left set under 5 psi it is very important that the tires have a chance to sit for at least 24 hours while pressurized Re check the tire pressure and re set to 10 psi if required b Measure the circumference of each tire using a suit able tape measure being sure to measure around the center line of the tire Figure 11 1 Write down...

Page 45: ...rmation on operating capacities CAUTION should be observed when operating in win ter conditions and a drop in temperature occurs Snow and slush accumulation in the track could freeze result ing in damage to the track system Slush snow and ice accumulation should be cleared from the axles and track periodically to prevent build up CAUTION should be observed when using any track system on a Centaur ...

Page 46: ...them all to 10 psi If the tires were just installed on rims or were left set under 5 psi it is very important that the tires have a chance to sit for at least 24 hours while pressurized Re check the tire pressure and re set to 10 psi if required b Measure the circumference of each tire using a suit able tape measure being sure to measure around the center line of the tire Figure 11 1 Write down th...

Page 47: ...mended for use on pavement gravel rocks or any other abrasive surface Abrasion will cause damage to the track assembly If a Centaur is taken outdoors into freezing temperatures after the track system has been installed indoors at normal room temperature the tires will lose air pressure After the tires have cooled down to the outdoor temperature where the vehicle is to be operated the tire pressure...

Page 48: ...perwinch Part No 1503 to double line the wire rope Figure 11 7 This reduces the load on the winch and the strain on the wire rope by approximately 50 Figure 11 7 Double Line 2 Periodically check the winch installation to assure that all bolts are tight 3 DO NOT move your vehicle to assist the winch in pull ing a load The combination of the winch and vehicle pulling together could overload the wire...

Page 49: ...d 15 When using your winch to move a load place the vehi cle transmission in neutral set vehicle parking brake chock all wheels and keep the engine running 16 Do not use the winch to hold the Centaur in place during transportation Use tie down straps 17 Maintain at least five turns of wire rope around wire rope drum to prevent the wire rope from pulling off under load 18 Never run winch without ci...

Page 50: ... pump is not designed to run dry Use only when water has collected in the vehicle 11 9 SNOW PLOW KIT Part No 657 106 The snow plow assembly attaches to the front mainframe as sembly of the Centaur The plow blade is an 81 2 m steel blade suitable for straight or angled use The power winch option is required to raise and lower the snow plow blade DO NOT STAND BETWEEN THE PLOW BLADE AND THE FRONT OF ...

Page 51: ...tamination of the bearings SECTION 11 ACCESSORY INFORMATION 11 11 CAB HEATER Part No 848 110 The Centaur can be fitted with a 17000 BTU cab heater It is equipped with a 3 speed dual fan motor This will provide operator comfort in the harshest winter conditions 11 12 DUMP BOX KIT Part No 835 100 The dump box is mounted to the mainframe It improves the load carrying versatility of the Centaur Keep h...

Page 52: ...imbs from damaging the lights and windshield 11 17 MUD FLAP EXTENDERS Part No 821 105 For use with Snow or Multi Purpose Tracks Mud flap ex tenders bolt onto the upper frame assembly and help to keep mud and snow out of the cargo compartment 11 18 TRANSMISSION OIL HEATER Part No 613 103 Recommended for use in cold temperatures This heater plugs into a 110V power supply and heats the transmission o...

Page 53: ... be used to hold the ends of the idler chain together while inserting the connecting link Grind the undercut and sides of the vice grip jaw to fit over 2 chain rollers The un dercut is approximately 5 16 radius as shown below DRIVER CLUTCH REMOVAL TOOL 658 17 Part No 658 17 Clutch Removal Tool can be used to assist in removal of the driver clutch from the engine Alternately a 6 length of 3 8 steel...

Page 54: ...46 NOTES ...

Page 55: ... damaged during shipment 2 Normal maintenance or adjustments after initial pre servicing is completed 3 Normal replacement of service items 4 Accessory items not supplied by Ontario Drive Gear Limited 5 Damages resulting from misuse accident theft or fire use of improper or insufficient fuel fluids or lubricants use of parts other than genuine CENTAUR parts modifications alteration tampering or im...

Page 56: ..._____________________________ CITY OR TOWN ___________________ PROV STATE __________________ POSTAL ZIP _____________________________________________________ DATE OF SALE __________________________________________________ WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES _____________________________________ DEALER NAME __________________________________________________ PHONE _______________________________________________...

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