Towing; Operation (Continued) - Komatsu 530M Operation & Maintenance Manual

Operation - Section 3
Page 3-10

TOWING

Prior to towing a truck, many factors must be carefully
considered. Serious personal injury and/or significant
property damage may result if important safety prac-
tices, procedures, and preparation for moving heavy
equipment are not observed.
Towing a disabled truck requires a rigid tow bar capa-
ble of towing at least 1.5 times the Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) of the vehicle being towed.
NEVER use cable for towing a disabled vehicle!
When towing becomes necessary, use the tow eyes
installed under the front frame/bumper and take the
following precautions:
1. Block disabled truck to prevent movement while
preparing truck for towing and attaching tow bar.
Inspect tow bar for capacity (it must be capable
of towing at least 1.5 times the Gross Vehicle
Weight of vehicle being towed).
2. Determine primary reason that vehicle is disabled.
a. If truck is disabled because of a suspected final
drive problem, both right and left planetary sun
gears/drive axles should be removed before
any towing. (Refer to Section ''G'', Final Drive,
in the Shop Manual for procedure.)
Extensive secondary damage can occur to
final drive components and/or transmis-
sion, if truck is towed without first removing
sun gears/drive axles.
b. If truck is disabled because of a suspected
transmission problem, and the towing distance
surpasses 800m (2,625 ft), remove the drive
shaft between the transmission and the differ-
ential case (if final drive sun gears have not
been removed).
c. If the engine of the disabled truck is operable;
keep the engine running while towing, so that
the steering and braking can be used.
d. If the engine is NOT operable, hydraulic power
for steering and braking and transmission lubri-
cation will not be available.
Install the necessary hydraulic connections be-
tween the towing vehicle and the disabled truck
to provide hydraulic power for steering and
braking. (Refer to the decals on the truck near
the hydraulic manifold.)
Disconnect transmission as stated above.
3. Determine that towing vehicle has adequate ca-
pacity to both move and stop the towed truck
under all conditions.
4. Protect both operators in the event of tow bar
failure.
5. Release disabled truck brakes and remove all
blocking.
Do not tow the truck any faster than 8 kph (5 MPH).
6. Sudden movement may cause tow bar failure.
Smooth and gradual truck movement is preferred.
7. Minimize tow angle at all times -
o
NEVER EXCEED 30
The towed truck must be steered in the direction
of the tow bar.
OM3006.1 04/98
Operating Instructions
.