Komatsu Galeo HD325-6, Operation & Maintenance Manual

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ATTACHMENTS, OPTIONS
USING DIFFERENTIAL LOCK
DIFFERENTIAL LOCK PEDAL
This pedal (1) actuates the differential lock control.
When the pedal is depressed, the differential lock is actuated;
when the pedal is released, the differential lock is cancelled.
REMARK
When traveling on soft ground where the wheel on one side slips,
or when traveling on road surfaces where the tires are likely to slip,
depress the differential lock pedal. This actuates the differential
lock and makes both the left and right wheels rotate at the same
speed to prevent slipping.
PRECAUTIONS AND METHOD OF USE
Depress the differential lock pedal to actuate the differential lock 5 to 10m (16 ft 5 in to 32 ft 10 in) before entering
the area where the tires may slip.
REMARK
Using the differential lock before the tires slip makes it possible to obtain the full capacity of the differential lock, and
also extends the tire life.
If the differential lock is applied when the tires are already slipping, the durability may be reduced.
Do not actuate the differential lock when the tires are slipping.
If the tires should slip and it becomes impossible to escape, stop the machine, then depress the differential lock
pedal and start the machine again.
When traveling on road surfaces where the tires may slip, be particularly careful to avoid sudden changes in travel
speed (decelerating or accelerating).
Do not use the differential lock pedal when traveling at high speed (4th gear, 20 km/h (12.4 MPH) and above).
Do not use the differential lock pedal when turning.
If the differential lock is used when turning, it will cause the following problems.
It will be more difficult to turn than when the differential lock is not used, so the truck may be unable to turn on
curves where it could normally turn easily.
The inside wheels and outside wheels will turn at the same speed when turning, so one side will spin and
reduce the tire life, and it may also damage the road surface.
In order to absorb the difference in rotation of the left and right tires which is caused when the machine turns,
the differential lock disc will slip, and this will reduce the durability of the differential lock.
An excessive load will be brought to bear on the final drive, and this may reduce the life of the final drive.
NOTICE
If the tires are likely to slip on the road surface on curves, carry out maintenance of the road surface to reduce this problem.
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