National 5200 PANTHER, Instruction Manual

Page: 33 / 100

Page 20
5200 & 5200QL LOADING/UNLOADING
• Always remove blade and cutting head when machine is being moved or transported
• Cutting head and slide plate can be removed to make the machine more compact.
• NEVER leave machine unattended on an incline.
• Removing added weights help to make the machine easier and safer to move in and out of a vehicle.
DOCK HEIGHTS
It is best to load or unload the machine from a level/equal dock height (a van from a van dock height, a
truck/semi from a regular dock height).
POWER-GATE
A power-gate can be used when the dock height is not available. Make sure gate is properly rated for
1750 lbs. Make certain the machine is secure so it does not roll off the power-gate. To better secure
machine, raise machine onto the lowered cutting head, raising machine off the caster. Tie machine down,
chock wheels.
RAMPS
To be safe, the ramp needs to be very long to accommodate the machine being loaded/unloaded.
Remove added weight. Make sure ramp is secured. Do not have at a steep incline. The use of a power
winch or hand come-a-long is much safer. For a van, the ramp should be 12 to 18 feet in length
depending on the depth of the incline. For truck height taller than a van, longer ramps will be needed.
See OSHA guidelines. It is not recommended to drive the machine, connected with power, on a ramp.
Make sure ramp is secure and has good contact before using. Failure to do so could cause ramp to fall
away from the vehicle.
Note: See correct and safe operating angels and center of gravity on page 22.
WARNING: Machine has a swivel front caster. Never side hill (See Figure A). The machine on a
incline without power, the front caster will cause machine to swing to the lowest point. If it is necessary
to run machine on an incline, run machine on cutting head. Place at least a 8'' cutting head in
machine. To keep from damaging floor, clamp a piece of carpet into cutting head to slide on the floor.
This will give positive contact with the floor when power is disengaged from the wheels.
Figure A
CAUTION: DO NOT “SIDEHILL”