DRIVING MACHINE

Steering

d WARNING: Avoid sudden steering changes while driving at fast speed and driving on a slope. Do not stop the engine while driving the machine. If the engine is stopped, the steering becomes heavy. Avoid sudden steering operation with the lift arm raised to a high enough position. Failure to do so may possibly cause the machine to turn over.

IMPORTANT: When the steering wheel is fully turned, the front and the rear frames come in contact with the stoppers so that the steering wheel does not rotate further. If the steering wheel is forcibly turned moreover, the engine may stall or malfunction of the steering system may result.

Turn the steering wheel towards the direction you intend to steer the machine during drive operation.

fNOTE: The front and rear frames are coupled by a connection pin (center pin) so that the rear wheels follow the tracks of the front wheels. Turn the steering wheel smoothly so as to follow the motion of the machine.

Provisional Stop and Restart of Driving

Follow the tips described below when required to provisionally stop or restart driving.

1. Slowly release the accelerator pedal. Depress the brake pedal to stop the machine.

2. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal to move the machine again.

3. In case the machine is required to park for a long period of time, make it a rule to return the F-N-R lever to neutral, turn the brake switch ON, and apply the parking brake to ensure safety operation.

4. During drive operation, the machine drive position may be changed due to inner hydraulic oil leaks. When required to rectify the drive position, provisionally stop driving, return the F-N-R lever to neutral, apply the parking brake by turning the parking brake switch ON. Then, after rectifying the drive position, begin driving the machine again. Always allow the machine to maintain the correct drive position.

Precautions for Traveling

During drive operation, observe the general operating manners beside the precautions described below to ensure safe and correct operation.

d WARNING: Use care to the following points:

• In case a tire becomes punctured while driving, securely hold the steering wheel and slowly reduce the drive speed.

If the brake is suddenly applied by strongly depressing the brake pedal, the steering may become out of control, possibly creating a serious accident. Never apply the brake quickly if a tire becomes punctured.

• Never mount or dismount the moving machine. Never allow any personnel other than the operator to ride on the machine when driving.

• Even after break-in operation is complete, avoid running the engine at fast speed under no load.

• If any abnormal condition such as an abnormal noise or smell is notified during drive operation, immediately stop the engine and inspect the machine for any trouble.

• Avoid using sudden steering or braking as much as possible because not only own machine but also other machines may become involved in a hazardous condition.

• Driving speeds of this machine are lower than most normal automobiles. Always give the right of way to automobiles.

• Make it a habit to periodically scan the gauges and instruments. If any abnormality is recognized, immediately stop the machine and check the machine for the cause of the trouble.

• When required to drive on the road shoulder or in tight spaces, use a signal person.

• Slowly drive in or turn a crossing while paying attention to the visibility ahead and in the opposite driving lane.

Driving in Water or on Soft Ground

IMPORTANT: When driving/operating on muddy ground, mud can easily accumulate on the frame even if the frame is not heavily submerged in mud, check regularly and clean as necessary. Contact your nearest TCM dealer.

• Do not submerge the front and rear axles, transmission, parking brake, or front and rear propeller shafts in water or mud. Avoid driving in water as much as possible.

• If driving in water or mud is unavoidable, do not allow the machine to be submerged deeper than allowable depth (A) (up to the bottom of the axle housing). Reduce the allowable depth in case the river bed is feared to be rugged or water is flowing fast.

• When driving/operating on muddy ground, mud can easily accumulate on the frame even if the frame is not heavily submerged in mud, Check regularly and clean as necessary.

fNOTE: After operation is complete, be sure to wash and lubricate all areas which were submerged.

Precautions for Driving on Slopes

d WARNING: When descending a slope with placing the F-N-R lever in neutral (N) position, the engine brake does not operate and malfunction or failure of the machine may result.

When descending a slope, use engine braking. Apply the brakes only when absolutely required. If the brake is continuously used while descending a slope, the brake temperature will increase, possibly decreasing the braking performance.

If overheating of the brake system is recognized, immediately park the machine in a safe location. Restart and drive the machine only after the brake system is sufficiently cooled.

When steering on a slope, lower the front attachment to increase the machine stability. Do not steer on a steep slope. Failure to do so may possibly cause the machine to turn over.

When descending a slope, place the Hi-Lo selector switch in Lo and using sufficient engine braking. Do not drive the machine faster than its maximum driving speed.

In case the engine stalls on a slope, immediately step on the brake pedal as strongly as possible, lower the front attachment to the ground and stop the machine. The parking brake is automatically applied when the engine stops regardless of the position of the parking brake switch. Before restarting the engine, turn F-N-R lever in neutral (N) and push the parking brake switch to ON position.

• Before descending a slope, confirm that the brake system works normally by operating the brake pedal.

• In case the hydraulic oil and lubricant temperatures are low, the machine grade ability may decrease. Before climbing a steep slope, sufficiently perform the warm up operation of the machine.

Precautions to Be Taken if Machine Failure Occurs

• Keep your presence of mind. While paying attention to the vehicles following you, slowly reduce the travel speed and park the machine on the road shoulder as closely to the shoulder edge as possible. Turn the parking brake switch ON to apply the parking brake. When any machine failure is recognized in a short tunnel, park the machine outside the tunnel as long as possible.

• Indicate using a sign that the vehicle is disabled. Unless a sign is used, collision with a following vehicle from behind may result. Be sure to indicate the sign of the disabled vehicle using one of the following methods.

• Use a parking signboard.

• Turn the hazard lights ON.

• Use an emergency signal instrument (emergency signal light).

• Use a red flag or light.

• Check the failed section. If possible, repair the machine by yourself while ensuring safety and paying attention to the traffic conditions of other vehicles.

d WARNING: Do not spill oil on the road surface. Failure to do so may cause the following vehicle to slide, possibly creating a serious accident.

• In case the hydraulic oil leaks, immediately repair it. If the road surface is severely covered with oil, take the highest priority to notify the following vehicles of this danger. Then, recover the leaked oil as soon as possible.

• In case the repairing the machine by yourself is impossible, contact your nearest TCM dealer.

• Repair work in the tunnel is very dangerous. Avoid working outside the vehicle even simple tasks.