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Personal injury or death could result when towing a disabled machine incorrectly. Block the machine to prevent movement before final drives are disengaged. The machine can roll free if it is not blocked. With final drives disengaged, the machine cannot be stopped or steered. Follow the recommendations below, to properly perform the towing procedure. Relieve the hydraulic tank and line pressure before any disassembly. Even after the machine has been turned off, the hydraulic oil can still be hot enough to burn. Allow the hydraulic oil to cool before draining. |
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To tow the machine, both final drives must be disengaged. Do not operate the travel motors with the final drives disengaged. Damage could result. |
Note: The brake assembly must be released before the machine can be towed. Remove the hydraulic motor and disassemble the brake assembly in order to release the brake.
These towing instructions are for moving a disabled machine for a short distance at low speed. Move the machine at a speed of 2 km/h (1.2 mph) or less to a convenient location for repair. Always haul the machine if long distance moving is required.
Shields must be provided on both machines. This will protect the operator if the tow line or the tow bar breaks.
Do not allow an operator to be on the machine that is being towed.
Before you tow the machine, make sure that the tow line or the tow bar is in good condition. Make sure that the tow line or the tow bar has enough strength for the towing procedure that is involved. The strength of the tow line or of the tow bar should be at least 150 percent of the gross weight of the towing machine. This requirement is for a disabled machine that is stuck in the mud and for towing on a grade.
Attach the cable to the towing eye on the front of the machine if you are towing the machine forward. Attach the cable to the drawbar pin on the rear of the machine if you are towing the machine backward.
Do not use a chain for pulling a disabled machine. A chain link can break. This may cause personal injury. Use a wire cable with ends that have loops or rings. Put an observer in a safe position in order to watch the pulling procedure. The observer can stop the procedure if the wire cable starts to break. Stop pulling whenever the towing machine moves without moving the towed machine.
Keep the tow line angle to a minimum. Do not exceed a 30 degree angle from the straight ahead position.
Quick machine movement could overload the tow line or the tow bar. This could cause the tow line or the tow bar to break. Gradual, steady machine movement will be more effective.
Normally, the towing machine should be as large as the disabled machine. Make sure that the towing machine has enough brake capacity, enough weight, and enough power. The towing machine must be able to control both machines for the grade that is involved and for the distance that is involved.
You must provide sufficient control and sufficient braking when you are moving a disabled machine downhill. This may require a larger towing machine or additional machines that are connected to the rear of the disabled machine. This will prevent the machine from rolling away out of control.
All situation requirements cannot be listed. Minimal towing machine capacity is required on smooth, level surfaces. Maximum towing machine capacity is required on inclines or on surfaces in poor condition.
Do not tow a loaded machine.
Consult your Caterpillar dealer for the equipment that is necessary for towing a disabled machine.