Gravely 996122 Owner's/Operator's Manual page 22

4. Avoid operating on excessively steep hills and
especially on hills that are steeper than 15 degrees.
Avoid crossing slopes if possible and don't make sharp
uphill steering corrections or a rollover could result. If
your vehicle starts to tip over on a slope turn the front
wheels quickly down hill to regain stability and control.
The best way to climb most hills is to drive straight up
while maintaining a steady ground speed and constant
engine rpm. The best way to descend most hills is
straight down while using steady pressure on the
brakes without locking them up. Locking up the brakes
in a steep downhill situation can result in loss of
traction, steering and control. When you must cross a
slope on soft terrain, keep the front wheels turned
slightly uphill and maintain a constant speed and a
straight line of travel.
5. Driving too fast, being inattentive and turning too
sharply on slippery surfaces can result in rollovers and
accidents almost quicker than any other ground
condition. Snow cover, wet trails, loose gravel and
frozen ground can all contribute to this dangerous
condition. In these conditions maintain sharp focus on
the trail ahead. Don't make sharp turns and avoid the
need for hard braking if at all possible. If you do start to
slide turn the front wheels in the direction of the skid to
regain control.
6. Avoid paved surfaces. Gravely vehicles are designed
exclusively for off-road use only. We understand that
occasionally operators have to cross public roads or
right of ways to gain access to work or recreation sites,
but don't get in the way of faster traffic and cross
quickly and safely.
7. Gravely Vehicles with shielded torque converters are
capable of making intermittent stream crossings
where the depth of water briefly comes into contact
with the bottom of floorboards, but you must keep
these considerations in mind; you must know how
deep the water is and the strength of the current. Cross
where you have a gradual incline for entry and exit and
the bottom is fairly clean and free of obstacles.
Maintain a slow steady speed disturbing the stream
bed as little as possible. If you submerge the engine or
the whole vehicle, do not attempt to start the vehicle
but take it to your nearest Gravely dealer immediately.
After intermittent stream or shallow water crossings,
dry out the brake linings and drive belt by slightly
accelerating the engine rpm while riding the brakes
momentarily until full drive power and braking are
restored. You may lose forward momentum and power
if water gets into the sealed torque converter and drive
belt through the enclosure's vents. Always remove the
CVT drain cap to drain any water that may have
entered the enclosure. Replace cap once all water is
drained.
8. Backing up in an off-road situation might seem a
simple thing to do to a novice, but having to back down
a hill is a very dangerous situation. If you are on level
ground always look behind you and back up slowly. If
you find yourself having to back down a hill, apply the
brakes very lightly. Hard braking can cause total loss of
control and a rollover situation. Try to back straight
down the hill without turning. Turning in this situation
can also cause a rollover.
9. Whenever possible, park your vehicle on a level
surface, set the park brake by placing shift selector in
(P) and remove ignition key. If you do have to park on a
hillside make sure you chock the rear wheels on the
downhill side to prevent a roll away. It's a good idea to
keep your spare key stashed separately.
10. Never operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. When you're driving off-road vehicles you
need to keep your senses keen and capable of quick
reaction, sharp perception and good balance.
11. Working or recreation in the deep wilderness or on the
prairies can be personally rewarding and very
enjoyable to those who truly love and understand
nature and the outdoors. Good judgement, maturity,
proper preparation and planning can turn these
adventures into great experiences you'll talk about for
a lifetime. Share these adventures with young people
whenever you can and show them how to do it
properly. Don't let anyone under 16 operate this
vehicle. They just aren't mature and experienced
enough to take on the serious responsibility of
operating a vehicle in the off-road environment without
the benefit of an experienced adult with them.
Remember, the only one who can prevent and avoid
an accident is the operator in control and that's you!
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