Braking; Tipovers; Hills - Toro 07363 Operator's Manual

During a sharp turn at higher speeds, the inside rear wheel
may lift off of the ground. This is not a flaw in the design,
it happens with most four wheel vehicles including
passenger cars. If this happens, you are turning too sharply
for the speed at which you are traveling. Slow down!

Braking

It is good practice to slow down before you get near an
obstacle. This gives you extra time to stop or turn away.
Hitting an obstacle can damage the vehicle and its contents.
More important, it can injure you and your passenger.
Gross vehicle weight has a major impact on your ability to
stop and/or turn. Heavier loads and heavier attachments
make a vehicle harder to stop or turn. The heavier the load,
the longer it takes to stop.
The braking characteristics also change with no bed or
attachment on the vehicle. Fast stops may cause the rear
wheels to lock up before the front wheels lock up, which
may affect the control of the vehicle. It is a good idea to
decrease vehicle speed with no bed or attachment.
Turf and pavement are much slipperier when they are wet.
It can take 2 to 4 times as long to stop on wet surfaces as on
dry surfaces.
If you drive through standing water deep enough to get the
brakes wet, they will not work well until they are dry. After
driving through water, you should test the brakes to make
sure they work properly. If they do not, drive slowly in first
gear while putting light pressure on the brake pedal. This
will dry the brakes out.
Do not downshift for braking on icy or slippery surfaces
(wet grass) or while going down a hill because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control. Shift to a
lower gear before starting down a hill.

Tipovers

The TORO WORKMAN® is equipped with a roll bar, hip
restraints, seat belts and hand hold. The ROPS system used
on the vehicle will reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury
in the unlikely event of a tipover, although the system
cannot protect the operator from all possible injuries.
Replace a damaged ROPS, do not repair or revise. Any
alteration of ROPS must be approved by manufacturer.
The best way to prevent accidents involving utility vehicles
is through continuous supervision and training of operators
and paying constant attention to the area in which vehicle is
being operated.
The best way for operators to prevent serious injury or
death to themselves or others, is to familiarize themselves
with the proper operation of the utility vehicle, to stay alert
and to avoid actions or conditions which could result in a
accident. In the event of a tip over, the risk of serious injury
or death will be reduced if the operator is using the ROPS
system and follows the instructions provided.

Hills

Warning
Tipping or rolling the vehicle on a hill will cause
serious personal injury.
• If engine stalls or you lose headway on a hill,
never attempt to turn vehicle around.
• Always back straight down a hill in reverse gear.
• Never back down in neutral or with the clutch
depressed, using only the brakes.
• Never drive across a steep hill, always drive
straight up or down.
• Avoid turning on a hill
• Don't "drop the clutch" or slam on the brakes.
Sudden speed change can initiate tipover.
Use extra care when on hills. Never go on hills that are
extremely steep. Stopping while going down a hill will take
longer than on level ground. Turning while going up or
down a hill is more dangerous than turning on the level.
Turns while going down hill, especially with the brakes on,
and, turning up hill while traversing a hill are particularly
dangerous. Even at a slow speed and without a load, tip
overs are more likely if you turn on a hill.
Slow down and shift into a lower gear before starting up or
down a hill. If you have to turn while on a hill, do it as
slowly and cautiously as possible. Never make sharp or fast
turns on a hill.
If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep
hill, quickly apply the brakes, shift to neutral, restart the
engine and shift to reverse. At idle speed, engine and
transaxle drag will aid the brakes in controlling the vehicle
on the hill and help you back down the hill more safely.
Reduce the weight of the load if it is a steep hill or if the
load has high center of gravity. Remember, loads can shift.
Secure them.
Note: The Workman® has excellent hill climbing ability.
The differential lock will increase this ability. Hill climbing
traction can also be increased by adding weight to the rear
of the vehicle in one of the following ways:
• Adding weight to inside of box, making sure it is
secured.
• Mounting wheel weights to rear wheels.
• Adding liquid ballast (calcium chloride) to rear tires.
• Traction will increase with no passenger in front seat.
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