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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 (Rollover Protection 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 seat belts
and is following the instructions provided.
Hills
Tipping or rolling the vehicle on a hill will cause
serious personal injury.
• Do not operate the vehicle on steep slopes.
• 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.
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