Maintenance - Toro 12004TC Operator's Manual

Operating on Rough Terrain
Reduce speed and load when operating on rough terrain,
uneven ground, and near curbs, holes, and other sudden
changes in terrain. Loads may shift, causing the vehicle
to become unstable.
We strongly recommend installing the optional ROPS
Kit when operating on rough terrain.
Sudden changes in terrain may cause abrupt
steering wheel movement, possibly resulting in
hand and arm injuries.
• Reduce your speed when operating on rough
terrain and near curbs.
• Grip the steering wheel loosely around the
perimeter. Keep your hands clear of the
steering wheel spokes.
Loading and Dumping
The weight and position of the cargo and passenger
can change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle
handling. To avoid loss of control and personal injury,
follow these guidelines:
• Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the vehicle weight label; refer to
Specifications in Product Overview , page 17, for
vehicle weight limits. The load rating is for level
surfaces only.
• Reduce the weight of the load when operating
on hills and rough terrain to avoid tipping or
overturning of the vehicle.
• Reduce the weight of the load if the center of gravity
is high. Items such as bricks, fertilizer, or landscape
timbers stack higher in the box. The higher a load
is stacked, the more likely the vehicle is to tip over.
Distribute the load as low as possible, making sure
that the load does not affect rear visibility.
• Position the weight of the load evenly from side to
side. If you position the load toward one of the sides,
the vehicle is more likely to tip over while turning.
• Position the weight of a load evenly from front to
back. If you position the load behind the rear axle,
it will reduce the weight on the front wheels. This
may result in a loss of steering control or cause the
vehicle to tip over on hills or bumpy terrain.
• Use extra caution if the load exceeds the dimensions
of the box and when handling off-center loads that
cannot be centered. Keep loads balanced and secure
to prevent them from shifting.
• Always secure loads so that they do not shift. If a
load is not secured, or you are transporting a liquid in
a large container such as a sprayer, the load can shift.
This shifting happens most often while turning,
going up or down hills, suddenly changing speeds, or
while driving over rough surfaces. Shifting loads can
cause the vehicle to tip over.
The weight of the box may be heavy. Hands or
other body parts could be crushed.
– Keep hands and other body parts clear when
lowering the box.
– Do not dump materials on bystanders.
• Never dump a loaded cargo box while the vehicle is
sideways on a hill. The change in weight distribution
may cause the vehicle to overturn.
• When operating with a heavy load in the cargo box,
reduce your speed and allow for sufficient braking
distance. Do not suddenly apply the brakes. Use
extra caution on slopes.
• Be aware that heavy loads increase your stopping
distance and reduce your ability to turn quickly
without tipping over.
• The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers.
• Never overload your vehicle. The decal (located on
the rear frame) shows load limits for the vehicle.
Never overload the attachments or exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW).

Maintenance

• Before servicing or making adjustments to the
machine, stop the engine, set the parking brake,
and remove the key from the ignition to prevent
someone from accidentally starting the engine.
• To make sure that the entire machine is in good
condition, keep all nuts, bolts, and screws properly
tightened.
• To reduce the potential for fire, keep the engine
area free of excessive grease, grass, leaves, and
accumulation of dirt.
• Never use an open flame to check the level or
leakage of fuel or battery electrolyte.
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