7. PRECAUTIONS DURING OPERATION ¤ WARNING: For reasons of safety, always follow these safety precautions. 1-12 TRAVELING ON SLOPES ‡ Traveling on slopes could result in the machine tipping over or slipping to the side. ‡ When traveling on slopes, keep the work equipment approximately 20 – 30 cm (8 – 12 in) above the ground. In case of emergency, quickly lower the bucket to the ground to help the machine to stop. ‡ Do not turn on slopes or travel across slopes. Always go down to a flat place to perform these operations. ‡ Do not travel on grass, fallen leaves, or wet steel plates.
Even slight slopes may cause the machine to slip to the side, so travel at low speed and make sure that the machine is always traveling directly up or down the slope. ‡ If the engine stops on a slope, place the travel lever at the neutral position and lower the work equipment to the ground. Do not operate the steering. There is danger that the machine will turn under its own weight. ‡ When traveling downhill with the machine being pushed by its own weight, the machine may steer in the opposite direction, so be careful when steering. Reverse steering when traveling downhill © See “12.7.2 TURNING WHILE DESCENDING A SLOPE”.
INCORRECT CORRECT PRECAUTIONS WHEN OPERATING ‡ Be careful not to approach too close to the edge of cliffs. ‡ Carry out only work that is specified as the purpose of the machine. Carrying out other operations will cause breakdowns. ‡ Do the following to ensure good visibility. • When operating in dark places, turn on the working lamps and front lamps, and install lighting at the jobsite if necessary. • Do not carry out operations in fog, mist, snow, or heavy rain, or other conditions where the visibility is poor. Wait for the weather to clear so that visibility is sufficient to carry out work. ‡ Always do as follows to prevent the work equipment from hitting other objects.
• To prevent accidents caused by hitting other objects, always operate the machine at a speed which is safe for operation, particularly in confined spaces, indoors, and in places where there are other machines.