345B Excavator Caterpillar

Make sure that no personnel are on the machine or near the machine in order to prevent any personal injury. Keep the machine under control at all times in order to prevent injury.

Reduce the engine speed when you maneuver the machine in tight quarters and when you drive over an incline.

Select the necessary travel speed range before you drive downgrade. Do not change the travel speed range while you drive downhill.

Use the same travel speed on a downgrade and on an upgrade.

When you travel for any distance, keep the stick inward and carry the boom in a low position.

When you drive up a steep grade, keep the boom as close to the ground as possible.

When you travel uphill or you travel downhill, keep the boom on the uphill side of the machine.

1. Adjust the operator seat.

2. Fasten the seat belt.

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3. Turn the engine speed dial to the operating range.

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4. Move the hydraulic activation control lever to the UNLOCKED position.

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5. Raise the boom enough in order to allow sufficient ground clearance.

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6. Select the desired travel speed by operating the travel speed control switch.

7. Make sure that the position of the upper structure and of the undercarriage is known before you move the machine. The drive sprockets should be at the rear of the machine.

Note: The directional steering controls will operate normally if the drive sprockets are at the rear of the machine and the idlers are at the front of the machine and under the cab. When the sprockets are under the cab, the travel controls will operate backward.

8. Turn the engine speed dial in order to increase the engine speed (rpm) to the desired speed.

9. Push both travel levers forward at the same time in order to travel forward. If both travel levers are pushed farther, the travel speed at the selected engine speed (rpm) will be faster.

Note: If the machine does not operate or if the machine does not travel in a straight line, consult your Caterpillar dealer.

10. See Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Machine Controls" for information about spot turning and about pivot turns.

11. When you make turns in soft material, travel in a forward direction occasionally in order to clear the tracks.

12. Slowly move both of the travel levers or both of the travel pedals to the CENTER position in order to stop the machine.