Battery Hazards; Fire Hazards - Gehl RT175 Operator's Manual

• Do not use the machine in an environment where
the hot muffler could present a fire hazard, such
as hay or straw storage facilities.

Battery Hazards

• Disconnect the negative battery cable from the
negative battery terminal, before performing
electrical service or electrical welding on the
machine.
• Do not use a battery when the fluid level is below
the minimum level. Doing so will hasten the
deterioration of the battery and shortens battery
life, and can also cause rupturing or explosion.
• Turn off all electrical equipment before connect-
ing leads to the battery, including electrical
switches on the battery charger or jump-starting
equipment.
• When disconnecting at the battery terminals,
remove the cable connected to the negative ter-
minal first. When installing a battery, connect the
positive terminal cable first.
• Connect positive cable first when installing
jumper cables. The final cable connection, at the
metal frame of the machine being charged or
jump-started, should be as far away from the bat-
tery as possible. Disconnect the negative cable
first when removing jumper cables.
• Sparks and open flames can set off explosive bat-
tery gas from incidental contact or static dis-
charge. Turn off all switches and the engine when
working on batteries. Keep battery terminals
tight. Contact between a loose terminal and post
can create an explosive spark.
• When jump-starting from another machine, do
not allow the machines to touch. Wear safety
glasses or goggles while battery connections are
made.
• Never jump-start the machine if it has a frozen
battery. The battery could explode. Thaw a fro-
zen battery before charging it or attaching jumper
cables.
• Flush eyes with water for 10-15 minutes if bat-
tery acid is splashed in the face. Anyone swal-
Printed in U.S.A.
lowing battery acid must have immediate
medical aid. Call the Poison Control Center at 1-
800-222-1222 in the United States.

Fire Hazards

• The machine must be cleaned on a regular basis
to avoid the buildup of flammable debris, such as
leaves, straw, etc. Accumulated debris, particu-
larly in the engine compartment, creates a fire
hazard.
• The machine has several components that operate
at high temperature under normal operation con-
ditions, primarily the engine and exhaust sys-
tems. Also, the electrical system, if not properly
maintained or if damaged, can arc or produce
sparks. These conditions make it extremely
important to avoid circumstances where explo-
sive dust or gases can be ignited by arcs, sparks
or heat.
• It is recommended that a 2.27 kg (5 lb.) or larger,
multi-purpose "A/B/C" fire extinguisher be
mounted in the cab. Check the fire extinguisher
periodically and be sure that work crew members
are trained in its use.
• Add fuel, oil, antifreeze and hydraulic fluid to the
machine only in a well ventilated area. The
machine must be parked with controls, lights and
switches turned off. The engine must be turned
off before refueling or performing service
checks.
• Do not smoke while filling the fuel tank, while
working on the fuel or hydraulic systems, or
while working around the battery.
• Take care to avoid spilling combustible fluids,
such as oil or fuel, on a hot engine.
• Static electricity can produce dangerous sparks at
the fuel-filling nozzle. In very cold, dry weather
or other conditions that could produce static dis-
charge, keep the tip of the fuel nozzle in constant
contact with the filler neck of the fuel tank, to
provide a ground. Make sure the static line is
connected from the machine to the fuel truck
before fueling begins.
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Safety
918468/EP0313