PRIMARY CONTROLLERS

PRIMARY CONTROLLERS

The 2 primary controllers for machine operation are the manually-operated joysticks (masterswitches) situated on each side of the operator’s seat. NONE OF THE MACHINE MOTION CONTROLS ARE OPERABLE UNTIL LINE EXCITATION HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AND ENGAGED, as is indicated by the green light in the excitation start pushbutton on the Operator Console.

For emergency exits, there is a smaller door located on the right side of the cab, just behind the operator’s seat. This door can be opened from either inside or outside the cab, by pushing down on the handle.

Operator’s Seat and Controls

The LEFT JOYSTICK operates the drag or propel machinery, depending on the machine drive mode selected.

• When in the DRAG mode: moving the left joystick forward from its neutral will result in the drag ropes “paying out” off the drum and the bucket will move away from the machine.

•Moving the left joystick rearward from its neutral position will cause the drag ropes to wind onto the drum and the bucket will “drag in” (move toward the machine).

•The Hoist Tension pushbutton, on top of the left joystick, applies reduced hoisting power to the hoist drum (to remove hoist rope slack and to hold the rigging off the bucket while dragging).

• When in the PROPEL mode: holding the left joystick in its FULL REARWARD position from its neutral results in the shoes going through their walking step and propelling the machine in the direction away from the boom (front end).

•Moving the left joystick rearward from its neutral position when in propel is done ONLY to back up the shoes as needed to place them in their top dead center location after a step has been completed.

THE MACHINE WILL NOT PROPEL TOWARD THE BOOM. Refer to WALKING MECHANISM, in this section.

The RIGHT JOYSTICK operates the hoist machinery (fore and aft lever movement) as well as swing motion (left and right movement). The hoist control is activated during DRAG mode.

•Moving the right joystick forward from its neutral will result in the hoist ropes unwinding from the drum and the bucket will lower toward the ground.

•Moving the right joystick rearward from its neutral position will cause the hoist ropes to wind onto the drum and the bucket will be raised toward the boom point.

•The pushbutton on top of the joystick is for the air horns.

The RIGHT JOYSTICK also controls machine rotation. Moving the lever to the RIGHT rotates the entire machine to the right. Moving the lever to the LEFT rotates the entire machine to the left. When no pressure is applied to the controller, it automatically returns to the neutral position.

The hoist and drag drives are speed controlled. This means that the further the joystick is moved fore or aft from its neutral position, the faster the drive will go. Practically full torque (or line pull) is obtained with the slightest movement of the joystick from its neutral. Lever movement should be only enough to obtain the desired speed. Never move either hoist or drag joystick too far and then back it off. Always use a smooth, steady lever movement. “Jockeying” the joystick is not required and only results in machinery overuse and motor overheating.