Cub Cadet Challenger 400 4x4 Operation Manual - Page 4

Slope Operation Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and rollover accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. If a slope is steeper than a 15° incline, do not operate this unit on that area. Exercise extreme caution while operating on slopes. Do: 1. Travel straight up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. 2. Travel slowly while on a slope. Always keep the forward speed limited when going down slopes to take advantage of the motor braking action. 3. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. 4. Avoid slopes with slippery, loose, or bumpy surfaces as they are especially hazardous. 5. Use extra care while carrying cargo. It may affect the stability of the vehicle. Spread the load evenly or tie down. Do Not: 1. Do not travel near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The vehicle could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in. 2. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or downhill. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes. 3. Do not turn sideways to the hill. The vehicle may roll over. If you must turn, go slow and do so carefully and gradually. 4. Do not carry cargo on steep slopes or tow loads. Towing 1. Always use an approved hitch and hitch point provided on the utility vehicle. 2. Do not tow more than 1200 lbs. rolling weight (i.e. trailer plus cargo). 3. Never load more than 180 lbs. tongue weight on tow bracket provided. 4. Go slow and use extra care when towing a trailer. Allow for increased braking distance. Load trailer properly. 5. Do not tow heavy loads on slopes greater than 5° incline. When going downhill or turning, the extra weight tends to push the tow vehicle and may cause you to lose control (i.e. braking and steering ability are reduced, towed equipment may jack-knife and cause utility vehicle to overturn). Cargo Box Loading/Operation 1. Do not exceed vehicle's Total Load Capacity rating of 900 lbs. This includes operator, passenger, accessories, and cargo. 2. Do not exceed 400 lbs. load in cargo box. 3. Spread load evenly and secure to prevent movement. 4. Do not load above height of cargo box front panel. Load could shift forward and injure driver or passenger. 5. Avoid loads which exceed the physical dimensions of cargo box. 6. Go slow. Heavy loads will affect steering, braking, stability, and overall handling of the vehicle. Limit loads to those that can be safely controlled. 7. Avoid sudden starts, stops, and turns which could cause load to shift. Cargo Box Lift 1. Stop vehicle on level ground and put the vehicle in PARK before raising cargo box. 2. On manual lift units, unload cargo box before raising cargo box. 3. Do not operate vehicle with cargo box in raised position. 4. Do not operate vehicle with cargo box latch unlatched. Always re-latch upon manually lowering cargo box. Safety Frame (OPS) 1. Your vehicle is equipped with a operator protective structure (OPS) which must be maintained in a fully functional condition. Use care when driving through doorways or spaces with a low overhead. a. Never modify the OPS in any way. b. Never attempt to straighten or reweld any part of the main frame or retaining brackets that have been damaged. Doing so may weaken the structure and endanger your safety. c. Never secure any parts other than Cub Cadet approved accessories on the main frame or attach the safety frame with anything other than the special fasteners specified. d. Never attach ropes, chains, or cables to the OPS for pulling purposes. e. Although the OPS, when used with a properly secured seat belt, provides a crush-protective environment in the event of a tip-over or rollover, never take unnecessary risks. Children 1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the vehicle. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Avoid run over accidents. a. Keep children out of the immediate area of the vehicle and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. b. Be alert and turn the vehicle off if a child enters the area. c. Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children. d. Never carry small children, they may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe vehicle operation. e. Use extreme care while approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the path of the vehicle. f. Remove key when vehicle is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation. 2. Never allow children under 16 years old to operate this vehicle. Children 16 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent. 3. Do not let children ride in the cargo box, in the driver's or passenger's lap or anywhere other than the passenger seat. Never give small children a ride; not even in the passenger seat. They may fall off. Service Safe Handling Of Fuel: 1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling fuel. Fuel is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when fuel is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately. a. Use only an approved fuel container. b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. 4 Section 2 - Important Safe Operation Practices