Toro 07277 Operator's Manual page 6

• Decrease the vehicle speed if the cargo box has been
removed and there is no attachment on the vehicle.
The braking characteristics change and fast stops
may cause the rear wheels to lock up, which may
affect the control of the vehicle.
• Turf and pavement are much more slippery 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 while putting light pressure on the
brake pedal. This will dry the brakes out.
Operating on Hills
Operating the vehicle on a hill may cause
tipping or rolling of the vehicle, or the engine
may stall and you could lose headway on the
hill. This could result in personal injury.
• Do not accelerate quickly or slam on the
brakes when backing down a hill, especially
with a load.
• If the engine stalls or you lose headway on
a hill, slowly back straight down the hill.
Never attempt to turn the vehicle around.
• Operate the vehicle slowly on a hill and use
caution.
• Avoid turning on a hill.
• Reduce your load and the speed of the
vehicle.
• Avoid stopping on hills, especially with a
load.
These extra cautions need to be taken when operating
the vehicle on a hill:
• Slow down before starting up or down a hill.
• If the engine stalls or you begin to lose headway
while climbing a hill, gradually apply the brakes and
slowly back straight down the hill.
• Turning while traveling up or down hills can be
dangerous. If you have to turn while on a hill, do
it slowly and cautiously. Never make sharp or fast
turns.
• Heavy loads affect stability. Reduce the weight of the
load and your speed when operating on hills or if
the load has a high center of gravity. Secure the load
to prevent it from shifting and take extra care when
hauling loads that shift easily (liquid, rock, sand, etc.).
• Avoid stopping on hills, especially with a load.
Stopping while going down a hill will take longer
than stopping on level ground. If the vehicle must
be stopped, avoid sudden speed changes, which may
initiate tipping or rolling of the vehicle. Do not slam
on the brakes when rolling backward, as this may
cause the vehicle to overturn.
• We strongly recommend installing the optional
ROPS Kit when operating on hilly terrain.
Operating on Rough Terrain
Reduce speed and load when operating on rough terrain,
uneven ground, and near curbs, holes, and other sudden
changes in terrain. Loads may shift, causing the vehicle
to become unstable.
We strongly recommend installing the optional ROPS
Kit when operating on rough terrain.
Sudden changes in terrain may cause abrupt
steering wheel movement, possibly resulting in
hand and arm injuries.
• Reduce your speed when operating on rough
terrain and near curbs.
• Grip the steering wheel loosely around the
perimeter. Keep your hands clear of the
steering wheel spokes.
Loading and Dumping
The weight and position of the cargo and passenger
can change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle
handling. To avoid loss of control and personal injury,
follow these guidelines:
• Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the vehicle weight label; refer to
Specifications in Product Overview , page 16, for
vehicle weight limits. The load rating is for level
surfaces only.
• Reduce the weight of the load when operating
on hills and rough terrain to avoid tipping or
overturning of the vehicle.
• Reduce the weight of the load if the center of gravity
is high. Items such as bricks, fertilizer, or landscape
timbers stack higher in the box. The higher a load
is stacked, the more likely the vehicle is to tip over.
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