Precautions For Towing Machine - Komatsu WA200-8 Operation & Maintenance Manual

TROUBLES AND ACTIONS

PRECAUTIONS FOR TOWING MACHINE

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Use the correct towing equipment and towing method. Any
mistake in the selection of the wire rope or drawbar or the
method of towing a disabled machine and being towed
may lead to serious personal injury or death.
• Always confirm that the wire rope or drawbar used for
towing has ample strength for the weight of the ma-
chine being towed.
• Never use a wire rope which has breaks in strands (A),
reduced diameter (B), or kinks (C). There is a danger
that the rope may break during the towing operation.
• Wear the leather gloves always when handling the wire
ropes.
• Never tow a machine on a slope.
• During the towing operation, never stand between the
towing machine and the machine being towed.
• Operate the machine slowly and be careful not to ap-
ply any sudden load to the wire rope.
• If there is a failure in the brake system, the brakes will
not work, so be extremely careful.
NOTICE
• Tow the machine only for a short distance, such as to a place for inspection and maintenance.
Do not tow the machine for a long distance.
• For the allowable towing capacity for this machine, see "SPECIFICATIONS".
• For the procedure for towing a disabled machine, consult your Komatsu distributor.
This machine must not be towed except in emergencies. However, if it is avoidable to tow the machine, take the
following precautions.
• When releasing the brake, secure the machine with chocks. If the wheels are not chocked, the machine
may move suddenly.
• When towing a machine, tow it at a low speed of less than 2 km/h, and for a distance of a few meters to a
place where repairs can be performed.
This method is applied only in an emergency. If the machine must be moved a long distance, use a trans-
porter.
• If it is impossible to operate the steering and brakes of the machine being towed, do not let anyone ride on
the machine.
• Keep the angle of the towing rope as small as possible. Keep the angle between the center lines of the 2
machines to within 30 °.
• Usually, use a towing machine of the same class as the machine being towed. Check that both towing ma-
chine and towed machine have ample braking power, and rim pull to allow them to control both machines
on slopes or on the tow road.
• When towing a machine downhill, it may be necessary to connect another machine to the rear of the towed
machine in order to provide ample rim pull and breaking power. The controllability of the machines can be
secured by this method.
• Towing may be performed under various conditions, so it is impossible to determine beforehand the re-
quired traction force. Towing on flat level roads will require the minimum rim pull, while towing on slopes or
on uneven road surfaces will require the maximum rim pull.
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WARNING
OPERATION