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Section 4: Operating Instructions
4400EX Heavy Duty Off Road Utility Vehicle 720-051M
6/30/05
18
Table of Contents
Descending Steep Hills
!
WARNING
Do not descend a steep hill with rear cargo box removed.
Dangerous forward weight distribution is created.
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.
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 andhow to
operate it in a way that will not damage the vehicle or injure
yourself or others. Always consider the following:
• 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.
• 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.
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 enginewill not run, the steering
will be very heavy and will eventually quit as oil is bled
from its steering sector.
• 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 behinda 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.
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.