3. Regular maintenance Regular maintenance is the best way of keeping a truck fully operational and safe for the users. The procedures described in this chapter should be carried out according to the schedule outlined in Section 3.3 Periodic maintenance procedures. Even though daily maintenance checks can be carried out without special training, this manual assumes that the reader is a professional trained in the service of trucks. Therefore, the presented maintenance and repair instructions should be followed only by professional service personnel.
3.1. Safety guidelines and preparation Do not attempt any maintenance or repair procedure unless you are authorised and qualified to carry it out. To service trucks you must be qualified to work on both electrical and hydraulic systems. Before planning maintenance actions on a truck, ensure that you are sufficiently familiar with the operation and use of the truck type and model. Make sure that you have the most current version of this service manual, as well as all the necessary and most current versions of schematic diagrams, charts and any other information needed for the maintenance tasks. Perform maintenance and repair tasks only in a suitable environment. The service area must be safe for the servicing personnel, as well as for any other persons in its vicinity. The area must also be safe and suitable for performing electrical, hydraulic and mechanical maintenance procedures. The area must be kept clean. Any fluid stains, waste and unnecessary equipment must be cleared from the service area before and during maintenance. Make sure that the service area is well ventilated. To uphold personal working safety, make sure that you are appropriately prepared to perform servicing. Ensure that you have the appropriate clothing for the tasks. This includes protective clothing, footwear and gloves, as well as other protective equipment required by the task, such as eyewear, a mask and hearing protection. Take the appropriate precautions when handling harmful, corrosive or toxic chemicals. Never use bare hands or other parts of your body to test for leaks etc. Remove personal jewellery to reduce the risk of causing short
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