7. PRECAUTIONS DURING OPERATION ¤ WARNING: Failure to follow these safety precautions may lead to a serious accident. 1-11 PRECAUTIONS WHEN TRAVELING ‡ Never turn the key in the starting switch to the OFF position when traveling. It is dangerous if the engine stops when the machine is traveling, because it becomes impossible to operate the steering. ‡ It is dangerous to look around you when operating. Always concentrate on your work. ‡ It is dangerous to drive too fast, or to start suddenly, stop suddenly, turn sharply, or zigzag.
‡ If you find any abnormality in the machine during operation (noise, vibration, smell, incorrect gauges, air leakage, oil leakage, etc.), move the machine immediately to a safe place and look for the cause. ‡ Set the work equipment to a height of 40 – 50 cm (16 – 20 in) from the ground level and travel on level ground. ‡ When traveling, do not operate the work equipment control levers. If the work equipment control levers have to be operated, never operate them suddenly. ‡ Do not operate the steering suddenly. The work equipment may hit the ground surface and cause the machine to lose its balance, or may damage the machine or structures in the area.
‡ When traveling on rough ground, travel at low speed, and avoid sudden changes in direction. ‡ Avoid traveling over obstacles as far as possible. If the machine has to travel over an obstacle, keep the work equipment as close to the ground as possible and travel at low speed. Never travel over obstacles which make the machine tilt strongly (10° or more). ‡ When traveling or carrying out operations, always keep your distance from other machines or structures to avoid coming into contact with them. ‡ NEVER be in water which is in excess of the permissible water depth. Permissible water depth © See “12.9 PRECAUTIONS FOR OPERATION”.
‡ When passing over bridges or structures on private land, check first that the structure is strong enough to support the mass of the machine. When traveling on public roads, check first with the relevant authorities and follow their instructions.