Operator's Manual

Speed
Speed is one of the most important variables leading
to accidents. Driving too fast for the conditions can
cause you to lose control and have an accident. Speed
can also make a minor accident worse. Driving
head-on into a tree at slow speed can cause injury and
damage, but, driving into a tree at high speed can
destroy the vehicle and kill you and your passenger.
Never drive too fast for the conditions. If there is any
doubt about how fast to drive, slow down.
Turning
Turning is another important variable leading to
accidents. Turning too sharply for the conditions or
speed can cause the vehicle to lose traction and skid,
or even tip over.
Wet, sandy and slippery surfaces make turning more
difficult and risky. The faster you are going, the
worse this situation becomes so, slow down before
turning.
Braking
It is good practice to slow down before you get near
an obstacle. This gives you extra time to stop or turn
away. Hitting an obstacle can damage the vehicle and
its contents. More important, it can injure you and
your passenger.
Gross vehicle weight has a major impact on your
ability to stop and/or turn. Heavier loads and heavier
attachments make a vehicle harder to stop or turn.
The heavier the load, the longer it takes to stop.
The braking characteristics also change with no bed
or attachment on the vehicle. Fast stops may cause
the rear wheels to lock up, which may affect the
control of the vehicle. It is a good idea to decrease
vehicle speed with no bed or attachment.
Turf and pavement are much slipperier when they are
wet. It can take 2 to 4 times as long to stop on wet
surfaces as on dry surfaces.
If you drive through standing water deep enough to
get the brakes wet, they will not work well until they
are dry. After driving through water, you should test
the brakes to make sure they work properly. If they
do not, drive slowly while putting light pressure on
the brake pedal. This will dry the brakes out.
Hills
Use extra care when on hills. Never go on hills that
are extremely steep. Stopping while going down a hill
will take longer than on level ground. Turning while
going up or down a hill is more dangerous than
turning on the level. Turns while going down hill,
especially with the brakes on, and, turning up hill
while traversing a hill are particularly dangerous.
Slow down before starting up or down a hill. If you
have to turn while on a hill, do it as slowly and
Operation
– 19 –
POTENTIAL HAZARD
• Operating the vehicle on a hill may cause
tipping or rolling of the vehicle.
• The engine may stall or you could lose
headway on a hill.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
The vehicle may tip or roll causing personal injury.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
• If the engine stalls or you lose headway on a
hill, never attempt to turn the vehicle around.
• Always back straight down a hill in reverse
gear.
• Never back down a hill using only the brakes.
• Never drive across a steep hill; always drive
straight up or down or go around the hill.
• Avoid turning on a hill.
• Do not accelerate quickly or slam on the brakes.
Sudden speed change can initiate tipping or
rolling of the vehicle.
WARNING