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Personal injury or death could result when towing a disabled machine incorrectly. Block the machine to prevent movement before releasing the brakes. The machine can roll free if it is not blocked. |
Note: The engine must be operable or an auxiliary power unit must be available to provide steering capability. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Towing With Inoperable Engine" for additional information.
Note: Empty the body and lower the body before towing a disabled machine. Do not tow a machine with material in the body and do not tow a machine with the body in the raised position. Failure to dump the load will result in damage to the frame and other components.
The towing machine must 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 and for the distance that is involved.
The total towing force on the rear or on the front of an Off-Highway Truck must not exceed either of the following structural limits:
- 40 percent of the gross machine weight
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1110000 N (249540 lb)
Maintain sufficient control and sufficient braking of the disabled machine when the disabled machine is being moved downhill. This may require a larger towing machine or additional machines that are connected to the rear of the machine that is being towed. This will prevent the machine from rolling away out of control.
These towing instructions are for moving a disabled machine for a short distance at low speed. Move the machine at a speed of
This machine is equipped with spring-applied parking brakes. These brakes are released with hydraulic pressure. If the engine is inoperable, move the brake release switch to the ON position. This will operate the motor for the electric powered parking and secondary brake release pump. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Towing With Inoperable Engine" for additional information.
Shields must be provided on both machines. This will protect the operator if the towing device breaks.
DO NOT allow anyone except the operator to be on the machine that is being towed by a cable.
Use a suitable towing device as a tow line, a tow bar, or a trunnion pin system. Make sure that the towing device is properly rated for the towing procedure that is involved. Make sure that the towing device is in good condition. The capacity of the towing device must be at least 150 percent of the gross weight of the disabled machine. Under certain conditions, failure of the towing device will occur if the towing device is less than 150 percent capacity. A machine that is retrieved from the mud or a machine that is being towed up a grade are examples of these conditions.
Put an observer in a safe position to watch the towing procedure. The observer must be able to stop the towing procedure, if necessary. Stop the towing procedure if the towing device appears to become damaged in any way. Stop the towing procedure whenever the towing machine moves without moving the towed machine. If the towing procedure needs to be stopped, verify the reliability of the towing devices and towing connections.
Keep the tow line angle to a minimum. DO NOT exceed a 15 degree angle from the straight position. Pulling the disabled machine at an angle will cause the frame or the rear axle housing to bend. Steer the tires of the towed machine in the direction of the pull.
Quick machine movement could overload the towing device, causing damage to the towing device and the machine. Gradual, steady machine movement will be more effective.
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| Illustration 1 | g06256279 |
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Front Tow Points | |
When the machine is towed from the front, use both tow points (1). When the machine is towed from the front, configure the tow bar or the tow line in a Y configuration. Failure to configure the towing device in a Y configuration will cause damage to the disabled machine.
When the machine is towed from the front, pull in a straight line with the disabled machine. Pulling the disabled machine at an angle will cause one of the legs of the Y configuration to break.
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| Illustration 2 | g06256301 |
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Trunnion Pin Receptacle (If Equipped) | |
If equipped, the machine can be towed with the trunnion pin receptacle (2) on the front bumper. Remove cover (3) to access the trunnion pin receptacle
Do not use the trunnion pin receptacle to retrieve a stuck machine.
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| Illustration 3 | g01989174 |
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Rear Tow Points | |
Whenever it is possible, tow the machine from the front. Certain conditions may require the machine to be towed from the rear. Tow the machine from the rear to reposition the machine and enable the machine to be safely towed from the front.
When the machine is towed from the rear, use both tow points (4) that are used to connect the truck body retaining cables. When the machine is towed from the rear, configure the tow bar or the tow line in a Y configuration. Failure to configure the towing device in a Y configuration will cause damage to the disabled machine.
When the machine is towed from the rear, pull in a straight line with the disabled machine. Pulling the disabled machine at an angle will cause one of the legs of the Y configuration to break. Keep the tow line angle to a minimum. DO NOT exceed a 15 degree angle from the straight position. Pulling the disabled machine at an angle will cause the frame or the rear axle housing to bend. Steer the tires of the towed machine in the direction of the pull.
Only tow a machine from the rear, if all of the following additional conditions are true.
- The machine can not be towed from the front.
- The machine will be towed across a smooth, level surface.
- The engine of the towed machine is operable.
- The steering system of the towed machine is operable.
- The braking system of the towed machine is operable.
- The machine will be towed slowly for a short distance.
- The body of the towed machine is empty and lowered.
- The towed machine has an operator in control of the steering and braking.
Consult your Caterpillar dealer for additional details about towing a disabled machine.