3.14 Caution on using rubber crawler shoes

3.14CAUTION ON USING RUBBER

CRAWLER SHOES

A.PROPER USAGE

The rubber crawler shoe offers excellent features which a steel crawler shoe does not possess. However, if it is used in the same way as the steel crawler shoe, then its advantages can not be fully taken. Operation of the machine varies upon site and working conditions.

Comparison between rubber and steel crawler shoes:

Less vibration Smooth run Low noise Harmless for paved road Easy handling Not damageable Large traction force Rubber shoe Steel shoe

= Excellent = Good = Ordinary * Although the rubber crawler shoe displays many advantages because of its material properties, it has disadvantages in terms of strength. It is therefore necessary to get fully familiar with the characteristics of the rubber crawler shoe and observe what are prohibited and cautioned against, in order to extend the service life of the rubber crawler shoe and have it fulfill its advantages to a maximum possible extent. Read throughly the section III “CAUTIONS ON

USING RUBBER SHOES” before use.

* GUARANTEE OF RUBBER CRAWLER

SHOE

Guarantee does not cover such damages done to the rubber crawler shoe that result from improper working and/or operation as: execution of site work in such places where there are steel plates, U-drains, block corners, sharp slashed gravel and stones, ferroconcrete debris, metal scraps and others which may tear off the rubber crawler shoe, and neglect to observe prohibited operations.

B.PROHIBITED WORK

Do not carry out the following operations: 1.Do not operate and/nor travel in gravelmixed land, rugged and solid rock bed, ferroconcrete, iron scraps, edges of iron plates.

2.Do not operate and/nor travel in such places as river beds where there are lots of stones of different sizes. The rubber crawler shoe tends to be damaged or come off from the rollers as the result of being caught in the grooves on the rubber crawler shoes. The service life of the rubber crawler shoe will be reduced if soil is pushed by force when the rubber crawler shoe is slipping. 3.Do not let oil, fuel, solvents, etc., come in contact with rubber shoes. If it does, wipe it off with a cloth immediately.

Do not travel on a puddle of oil, etc. on the road surface.

4.Do not enter such hot places as an open-air fire, and steel plate left in the open sun.

Do not work in asphalt levelling. 5.When storing the machine for long periods (more than three months), keep it indoors which will not be exposed to direct sunshine and rain. Refer to the section III

“PRECAUTIONS WHEN STORING THE

MACHINE FOR A LONG PERIOD”.

6.If the machine travels using one side crawler, with the crawler of another side floating, the rubber crawler shoe may come off from the rollers or be damaged.

C.CAUTIONS ON USAGE

Use care of the following when working: 1.Rubber shoes slip easily on icy surfaces Takethe necessary safety precautions, such as not driving on snowy/icy slopes.

2.Avoid making a spin turn on a concrete road.

3.Avoid abrupt change of directions because it will cause early wear or chipping of the rubber crawler shoe.

4.Exercise care so that the rubber crawler shoe is not damaged by the bucket while working.

5.Do not operate the machine by pressing the bucket against concretes and walls.

6.When the machine is lifted up by the attachment, lower it slowly.

TRAVEL

10.When climbing back on a slope, avoid changing direction of the machine while climbing on a point between a level ground and the slope.

11.If you travel on a slope or a concave with one side of the machine lifting, it will damage the rubber crawler shoe. Always travel with both sides of the machine in level.

12.Do not change direction of the machine with the rubber crawler shoe on ground with high spots as it will cause the rubber crawler shoe to come off or be damaged.

(8in)

7.If the machine is operated in salty or corrosive places, the adhesion of the core metal of the shoe will get loose. Refrain from using the shoe, or wash it with water after use.

8.The rubber shoe should be used within 25˚C to +55˚C (-13˚F to 131˚F), considering the physical properties of rubber.

NOTE: Use the rubber shoe under proper tension to prevent it from coming off from the rollers. Operate the rubber shoe carefully even when tensioning is proper.

9.Avoid changing direction of the machine on ground with difference in level (about 20cm/8in). When crossing over a place where there is a difference in level, do it at right angles to the difference in level.