MACHINE OPERATION

Do not steer the steering wheel if any person is present next to the machine and the center articulation. Check all controls in a clear area and make sure the machine is operating correctly. A frequent cause of accidents with injuries or death is people falling from the machine and subsequent trampling. DO NOT allow other persons to ride on the machine. Other persons can fall or can cause an accident. This is a one person machine with one operator’s seat. Engine exhaust fumes can cause death. If you operate this machine in an enclosed area, make sure there is ventilation to replace the exhaust fumes with fresh air. Dust, fog, smoke, etc., can decrease your vision and cause an accident. Stop the machine or decrease the speed until you can see everything around you in the work area. Contact with high voltage power lines, underground cables, etc., can cause serious injury or death from electrocution. Make sure there is enough space between the machine and ohigh voltage power lines. Before you drive or operate in an area with high voltage lines, cables, or a power station, tell the power or utility company what you are going to do. You MUST HAVE THE POWER DISCONNECTED OR KEEP A SAFE WORKING DISTANCE from the lines, cables, or power station. Keep all parts of the machine at least 15 feet (5 m) away from the power source. You must also know any federal, state/provincial, or local safety codes or regulations that apply to the job site. If a part of the machine touches high voltage power: •

Warn other workers NOT TO TOUCH THE MA-

CHINE and to stay away from the machine.

If you can break contact, reverse the operation that caused contact with the high voltage power, and move the machine away from the danger area. If you cannot break contact, stay in the machine until the utility company de-energizes the line and tells you that the power is off.

If you have extreme conditions, such as a fire, etc., and you are forced to leave the machine, do not step off the machine. Jump as far from the machine as possible with your feet together and do not touch the ground with your hands.

Then, hop away with your feet together until you are a safe distance from the machine and the electrical current. Do not take large steps. Because of the voltage differential across the ground, one foot can be in a higher voltage area than the other foot.

This difference can kill you. Digging through underground cables, pipes, lines,

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etc., can cause injury or death. Learn the location of all underground hazards before you operate your machine in any area. If this machine roll over, you may hurt yourself or die. You must make a judgment if weather, road, or earth conditions will permit safe operation on a hill, ramp, or rough ground. Stay away from hazardous areas such as ditches, overhangs, etc. Walk around the work area before you start and look for hazards. Be alert and always know the location of all workers in your area. Keep all other persons completely away from your machine. Injury or death can result if you do not follow these instructions. When working in areas where traffic is heavy always have a person direct the traffic and direct other persons for you. Have guard rails, warning signs, etc., as required for your job. Stop operating the machine if a malfunction occurs. Watch the indicator and warning lamps in the machine. Listen and smell for things that are not normal on your machine. Drive around large objects such as large rocks or trees. Operate the machine within the specified capacities and limits. See Specifications section of this manual. Operate the machine controls from the operators seat only. DO NOT operate this machine if under alcohol or drug effect.

start Up

Do not start or operate an unsafe machine. Before working the machine, be sure that any unsafe condition has been satisfactorily remedied. Check brakes and steering and attachment controls before moving. Advise the proper maintenance authority of any malfunction part or system. Before starting machine, check, adjust and lock the operator’s seat for maximum comfort and control of the machine. Be sure all people in the area are clear of the unit before releasing the parking brake or moving the machine or its attachments. Walk completely around machine before mounting. Sound horn. Obey flagman, safety signals and signs.

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Due to the presence of flammable fluid, never check or fill fuel tanks, storage batteries, or use starter fluid near lighted smoking materials or open flame or sparks.

Operating

Do not run the engine of this machine in closed area without proper ventilation to remove deadly exhaust gases. Do not use machine to carry loose objects by means other than attachments designed for such objects. Do not carry riders unless the machine is equipped for carrying people to reduce personal exposure to being thrown off. Observe and know the mechanics of alternate exit routes. Do not attempt to climb on or off machine while it is in motion. When operating always look at the direction of the movement of the machine. Be sure exposed personnel in the area of operation are clear of the unit before moving the machine or its attachments, mainly children. If someone arrives in operation area, stop the machine immediately. Maintain a safe distance from other machines. Provide sufficient clearance for ground and visibility conditions. Never leave the machine unattended with the engine running. Always before leaving the operator’s seat and after making certain all people are clear of the machine, slowly lower attachments or tools flat to the ground in a positive ground support position. Move any multipurpose tool or attachment to positive closed position. Return the controls to hold. Place transmission control in neutral and move engine controls to off position. Engage all control locks, set parking brake, and open and lock the master (key) switch. Park in a nonoperating and non-traffic area or as instructed. Park on firm level ground if possible. Where not possible, position machine at a right angle to the slope, making sure there is no danger of uncontrolled sliding movement. Set the parking brake. If parking in traffic lanes cannot be avoided, provide appropriate flags, barriers, flares and warning signals in the traffic lane for approaching traffic. Never lower attachments or tools from any position other than seated in operator’s seat.