¤ WARNING: Failure to follow these safety precautions may lead to a serious accident. 7. PRECAUTIONS DURING OPERATION 7.3 TRANSPORTATION 1-21 LOADING AND UNLOADING ‡ Loading and unloading the machine always involves potential hazards. EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE USED. ‡ When loading or unloading the machine, run the engine at low idling and travel at low speed. ‡ Perform loading and unloading on firm, level ground only. Maintain a safe distance from the edge of the road. ‡ ALWAYS use ramps of adequate strength. Be sure that the ramps are wide, long, and thick enough to provide a safe loading slope. If there is excessive deflection of the ramps, strengthen the ramp with blocks.
‡ When loading or unloading the machine on piled soil or temporarily structure, be careful to ensure that the width, strength, and angle of the slope fulfill the limits. ‡ To prevent the machine from slipping, remove all oil, grease, or other material from the surface of the ramps. Remove all mud from the undercarriage of the machine. Be particularly careful on rainy days because the machine is more likely to slip. ‡ NEVER correct your steering on the ramps. If necessary, drive away from the ramps and climb again. ‡ The center of gravity of the machine will change suddenly at the joint between the ramps and the track or trailer, and there is danger of the machine losing its balance.
Travel slowly over this point. ‡ After loading, block the machine tracks and secure the machine with wire rope. Loading and unloading © See “13. TRANSPORTATION”. Tie-downs © See “13.2.2 SECURING MACHINE”. CORRECT SHIPPING ‡ When shipping the machine on a hauling vehicle, obey all state and local laws governing the weight, width, and length of a load. Also obey all applicable traffic regulations. ‡ Take into account the width, height and weight of the load when determining the shipping route. Height, width, weight limits © See “13. TRANSPORTATION”. ‡ When traveling over bridges or structures on private land, check first that the bridge or structure can withstand the weight of the machine.
When traveling on public roads, check with the local authorities and follow their instructions. ‡ For machines equipped with a cab, always lock the door securely.