MPC 4000 GEN II SERIES LOCK BAR MECHANICAL PANEL CONTROL INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
90-891909001 AUGUST 2005
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Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop the
engine when the operator moves far enough away from the operator's position
to activate the switch. This would occur if the operator accidentally falls
overboard or moves within the boat a sufficient distance from the operator's
position. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are more likely to occur in
certain types of boats such as low sided inflatables, bass boats, high
performance boats, and light, sensitive handling fishing boats operated by a
hand tiller. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are also likely to occur as
a result of poor operating practices such as sitting on the back of the seat or
gunwale at planing speeds, standing at planing speeds, sitting on elevated
fishing boat decks, operating at planing speeds in shallow or obstacle infested
waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel or tiller handle that is pulling in
one direction, drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, or daring high speed boat
maneuvers.
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While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, a
boat will continue to coast for some distance depending upon the velocity and
degree of any turn at shut down. However, the boat will not complete a full circle.
While the boat is coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as
seriously as the boat would when under power.
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We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting
and operating procedures should they be required to operate the engine in an
emergency (e.g. if the operator is accidentally ejected).
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WARNING
Should the operator fall out of the boat, the possibility of serious injury or death from
being run over by the boat can be greatly reduced by stopping the engine immediately.
Always properly connect both ends of the stop switch lanyard to the stop switch and the
operator.
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WARNING
Avoid serious injury or death from deceleration forces resulting from accidental or
unintended stop switch activation. The boat operator should never leave the operator's
station without first disconnecting the stop switch lanyard from the operator.
Accidental or unintended activation of the switch during normal operation is also
a possibility. This could cause any, or all, of the following potentially hazardous
situations:
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Occupants could be thrown forward due to unexpected loss of forward motion ‑
a particular concern for passengers in the front of the boat who could be ejected
over the bow and possibly struck by the gearcase or propeller.
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Loss of power and directional control in heavy seas, strong current or high winds.
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Loss of control when docking.
5. Control Handle ‑ Operation of the shift and throttle are controlled by the movement of
the control handle. Push the control handle forward from neutral with a quick firm
motion to the first detent for forward gear. Continue pushing forward to increase
speed. Pull the control handle back from neutral with a quick firm motion to the first
detent for reverse gear. Continue pushing back to increase speed.
