Operation
•
The operator and passenger should remain seated
whenever the vehicle is in motion. The operator should
keep both hands on the steering wheel, whenever
possible, and the passenger should use the hand holds
provided. Keep arms and legs within the vehicle body
at all times.
•
Drive slower and turn less sharply when you are carrying
a passenger. Remember your passenger may not be
expecting you to brake or turn and may not be ready.
Never carry passengers in the box or on attachments.
•
Never overload your vehicle. The name plate (located
under the middle of the dash) shows the load limits for
the vehicle. Never overfill attachments or exceed the
vehicle maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW).
•
Using the machine demands attention. Failure to operate
machine safely may result in an accident, tip over of the
machine, and serious injury or death. Drive carefully.
To prevent tipping or loss of control, take the following
precautions:
–
Use extreme caution, reduce speed, and maintain
a safe distance around sand traps, ditches, creeks,
ramps, any unfamiliar areas, or other hazards.
–
Watch for holes or other hidden hazards.
–
Use caution when operating the vehicle on a steep
slope. Normally, travel straight up and down slopes.
Reduce speed when making sharp turns or when
turning on hillsides. Avoid turning on hillsides
whenever possible.
–
Use extra caution when operating the machine on
wet surfaces, at higher speeds, or with a full load.
Stopping time will increase with a full load.
–
When loading the bed, distribute the load evenly.
Use extra caution if the load exceeds the dimensions
of the vehicle/bed. Operate the machine with extra
caution when handling off-center loads that cannot
be centered. Keep loads balanced and secure to
prevent them from shifting.
–
Avoid sudden stops and starts. Do not go from
reverse to forward or forward to reverse without first
coming to a complete stop.
–
Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or
other unsafe driving actions that may cause a loss of
control of the machine.
–
Do not pass another machine traveling in the same
direction at intersections, blind spots, or at other
dangerous locations.
–
When dumping, do not let anyone stand behind
machine and do not dump the load on anyone’s feet.
Release the tailgate latches from the side of box, not
from behind.
–
Keep all bystanders away. Before backing up, look to
the rear and ensure that no one is behind the vehicle.
Back up slowly.
–
Watch out for traffic when near or crossing roads.
Always yield the right of way to pedestrians and
other vehicles. Always signal your turns or stop early
enough so other persons know what you plan to do.
Obey all traffic rules and regulations.
–
Never operate the machine in or near an area where
there is dust or fumes in the air which are explosive.
The electrical system of the machine can produce
sparks capable of igniting explosive materials.
–
Always watch out for and avoid low overhangs such
as tree limbs, door jambs, over head walkways, etc.
Make sure there is enough room over head to easily
clear the machine and your head.
–
If you are ever unsure about the safe operation of the
machine,
stop your work
and ask your supervisor.
•
Before getting off the seat:
1.
Stop the movement of the machine.
2.
Set the parking brake.
3.
Turn the key to the Off position.
4.
Remove the key.
Note:
If the machine is on an incline, block the
wheels after getting off of the machine.
•
If the machine ever vibrates abnormally, stop immediately,
wait for all motion to stop, and inspect the machine for
damage. Repair all damage before commencing operation.
•
Lightning can cause severe injury or death. If lightning
is seen or thunder is heard in the area, do not operate
the machine; seek shelter.
Braking
•
Slow down before you approach an obstacle. This
gives you extra time to stop or turn away. Hitting an
obstacle can damage the machine and its contents. More
important, it can injure you and your passenger.
•
Gross machine weight (GVW) has a major impact on your
ability to stop and/or turn. Heavy loads and attachments
make a machine harder to stop or turn. The heavier the
load, the longer it takes to stop. Refer to
for more information.
•
Decrease the machine speed if the cargo box has been
removed and there is no attachment on the machine. The
braking characteristics change and fast stops may cause
the rear wheels to lock up, which may affect the control
of the machine.
•
Turf and pavement are much more slippery when they
are wet. It can take 2 to 4 times as long to stop on wet
surfaces as on dry surfaces. If you drive through standing
water deep enough to get the brakes wet, they will not
work well until they are dry. After driving through water,
you should test the brakes to make sure they work
properly. If they do not, drive slowly while putting light
pressure on the brake pedal. This will dry the brakes out.
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