Table of Contents
Section 4: Operating Instructions
Descending Steep Hills
!WARNING
Do not descend a steep hill with rear cargo box removed. Dangerous forward weight distribution is created.
•Does the load exceed the recommend towing capacity? Too much weight will push the vehicle around and hinder its stopping capabilities.
•Is the load front heavy placing too much weight on the hitch? Excessive hitch weight will make the front wheels light on the ground causing you to loose steering and traction capabilities.
Descend most hills straight down in 1st gear. When necessary, use steady pressure on the brakes without locking them up. Hard braking can cause total loss of control and a rollover situation.
Always consider ground conditions and load distributions as outlined below before descending a steep hill:
•Is the ground surface wet or dry? Wet surfaces can result in loss of control and should not be attempted.
•Is the ground surface firm or loose? Loose surfaces can result in loss of control and should not be attempted.
•Is the terrain fairly even or is it eroded and uneven with holes and boulders? Surfaces that are not fairly even can result in loss of control and should not be attempted.
•Can the descent be made fairly straight or will you be required to turn to a degree that is approaching cross- hill travel making the vehicle subject to imbalance and turning over.
•Consider the vehicle’s center of gravity. Is it front heavy, loaded high with cargo and is there a passenger along adding weight over the front axle? The rear axle should have sufficient weight over it to counter balance weight distributed over the front axle. A vehicle with poor center of gravity is subject to flipping forward end over end.
•Is the vehicle approaching maximum load rating capacity. Is the vehicle total loaded weight approaching maximum rated gross weight? Too much weight can reduce operator’s ability to brake and control the vehicle.
•Is the vehicle towing a trailer and if so is the trailer carrying a load approaching gross weight of the Gondo? Again, too much trailer weight can reduce the operator’s ability to brake and control the vehicle.
Traverse Traveling on Steep Hills
Cross a steep slope only if no other alternative exists. When crossing, consider ground conditions and load distributions outlined in "Descending Steep Hills" on page
18.Make certain that the weight on the uphill side of the vehicle is equal to or heavier than the weight on the downhill side of the vehicle. Cross in 1st gear and if your vehicle starts to tip over, turn the vehicle down hill quickly to regain stability and control.
•What type of terrain is the load being pulled over? Is the ground soft, wet, dry or inclined. Any of these can hinder vehicle control. See "Descending Steep Hills" on page 18 when considering type of terrain.
When towing always start in 1st gear and shift to a higher gear only if the vehicle has sufficient power. Do not travel in a gear that can not control the load. Heavy loads should be towed in 1st or 2nd gear depending on their ability to hold the load back from pushing the vehicle when letting up on the accelerator pedal. Remember, the heavier the load the longer it takes for the brakes to stop the vehicle.
Towing the Gondo
The Gondo should be loaded on a trailer for towing. However, it can be towed behind a tractor or another vehicle for a short distance to retrieve it from an area where a trailer won’t go.
IMPORTANT: Owner assumes all responsibility and liability resulting from towing the Gondo.
IMPORTANT: Do not tow the Gondo at speeds over 5 mph. Higher speeds may result in loss of control and damage to the Gondo, vehicle towing the Gondo and personnel.
Towing Without a Trailer
The following precautions should be followed when towing the Gondo behind a tractor or another vehicle:
•Approved tow chain or rope must be securely attached to the Gondo at a location that will not damage the vehicle or come loose from the vehicle.
•The gear selector must be placed in neutral position.
•The park brake must be off.
•Someone must be steering the vehicle while it is being towed for it to track properly.
•When possible, the engine should be running to operate the power steering. If the engine will not run, the steering will be very heavy and will eventually quit as oil is bled from its steering sector.
Pulling Loads
The Gondo is capable of pulling a load weighing many times more than its own weight. Because of this it is important that you know the vehicle’s capability and how to operate it in a way that will not damage the vehicle or injure yourself or others. Always consider the following:
•Do not tow the Gondo at speeds over 5 mph. Higher speeds may result in loss of control and damage to the Gondo, vehicle towing the Gondo and personnel.
•Do not tow another trailer or vehicle behind a Gondo that is being towed.
•Do not tow the Gondo on roadways or across open areas accessible with a trailer. Instead, load the vehicle onto a trailer for towing.
18 | 4400EX Heavy Duty Off Road Utility Vehicle | 6/30/05 |
