31. USING DIFFERENTIAL LOCK 31.2 PRECAUTIONS AND METHOD OF USE Depress the differential lock pedal to actuate the differential lock 5 – 10 m before entering the area where the tires may slip. REMARK Using the differential lock before the tires slip makes it possible to obtain the full capacity of the differential lock, and also extends the tire life. If the differential lock is applied when the tires are already slipping, the durability may be reduced. Do not actuate the differential lock when the tires are slipping. If the tires should slip and it becomes impossible to escape, stop the machine, then depress the differential lock pedal and start the machine again.
When traveling on road surfaces where the tires may slip, be particularly careful to avoid sudden changes in travel speed (decelerating or accelerating). Do not use the differential lock pedal when traveling at high speed (4th gear, 20 km/h (12.4 MPH) and above). Do not use the differential lock pedal when turning. If the differential lock is used when turning, it will cause the following problems. 1. It will be more difficult to turn than when the differential lock is not used, so the truck may be unable to turn on curves where it could normally turn easily. 2.
The inside wheels and outside wheels will turn at the same speed when turning, so one side will spin and reduce the tire life, and it may also damage the road surface. 3. In order to absorb the difference in rotation of the left and right tires which is caused when the machine turns, the differential lock disc will slip, and this will reduce the durability of the differential lock. 4. An excessive load will be brought to bear on the final drive, and this may reduce the life of the final drive. NOTICE If the tires are likely to slip on the road surface on curves, carry out maintenance of the road surface to reduce this problem. 5-27