2001 Pioneer 1200 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Manual Page 16-1
16
SECTION 16 – UNITIZED TRANSAXLE WITH
DIFFERENTIAL LOCK
∆ DANGER
• Gasoline – Flammable! Explosive! Do not smoke. Keep sparks and flames away from vehicle
and service area. Service only in a well-ventilated area.
• Do not operate gasoline vehicle in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. The engine
produces carbon monoxide, which is an odorless, deadly poison.
∆ WARNING
• Only trained technicians should repair or service this vehicle. Anyone doing even simple
repairs or service should have knowledge and experience in electrical and mechanical repair.
• Follow the procedures exactly as stated in this manual, and heed all DANGER, WARNING, and
CAUTION statements in this manual as well as those affixed to the vehicle.
• Wear safety glasses or approved eye protection while servicing vehicle. Wear a full face shield
and rubber gloves when working with batteries.
• Turn key switch OFF, place Forward/Reverse handle in the NEUTRAL position, and remove key
before servicing the vehicle.
• Hot! Do not attempt to service hot engine or exhaust system. Failure to heed this warning
could result in severe burns.
• Moving parts! Do not attempt to service the vehicle while it is running.
• Use insulated tools when working near batteries or electrical connections. Use extreme
caution to avoid shorting of components or wiring.
• Frame ground – Do not allow tools or other metal objects to contact frame when
disconnecting battery cables or other electrical wiring. Never allow a positive wire to touch
the vehicle frame, engine, or any other metal component.
• To avoid unintentionally starting the vehicle:
- Disconnect battery cables, negative cable (–) first.
- Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.
• Lift only one end of the vehicle at a time. Before lifting, set the park brake when lifting the front
of the vehicle, unload the cargo bed, and chock the wheels that remain on the floor. Use a
suitable lifting device (chain hoist or hydraulic floor jack) with 1000 lb. (454 kg) minimum
lifting capacity. Do not use lifting device to hold vehicle in raised position. Use approved jack
stands of proper weight capacity to support the vehicle.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Pioneer 1200 gasoline-powered vehicle is equipped with a heavy-duty, fully-synchronized Unitized Tran-
saxle with Differential Lock. The unitized transaxle utilizes fully-synchronized internal gearing to change vehi-
cle direction. Because the unitized transaxle is used to reverse vehicle direction, the engine, drive clutch,
belt, and driven clutch rotate in the same direction; therefore, the engine and clutches are not subjected to
reversing loads. This reduces maintenance requirements on the engine and clutches. With the unitized tran-
saxle, power is transferred from the engine through the drive clutch, the drive belt, the driven clutch, and then
through the unitized transaxle to the wheels.
