Towing a Disabled Machine
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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. Follow the recommendations below, to properly perform the towing procedure. |
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For information on hitch capacities, towing with the standard retrieval hitch and towing with the hydraulic towing hitch refer to this Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Operation Information".
Only tow the machine over short distances at a low speed. Move the machine at a speed of 8 km/h (5 mph) or less to a convenient location for repair. Always load the machine onto a suitable transport vehicle if long distance moving is required. If a suitable transport vehicle is unavailable, remove the drive shaft and raise the front wheels off the ground before you tow the machine.
The parking brake must be engaged on the disabled machine, and the wheels must be chocked.
The boom must be fully retracted, lowered and the load must be removed before towing the machine. If hydraulic power is not available, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Equipment Lowering with Engine Stopped" in order to retract the boom and lower the boom.
Do not use chains for towing a machine. Chain links can break with no warning. Use a wire rope with ends that have loops or rings or use a rigid tow bar. Before the machine is towed, make sure that the tow line or tow bar is in good condition. Make sure that the tow line or tow bar has enough strength for the conditions that will be encountered. The tow line or tow bar should be able to pull at least 150 percent of the gross weight of the towed machine. This pertains to towing a disabled machine from mud and to towing a machine on a grade.
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| Illustration 1 | g00809994 |
For towing or retrieving the machine from the front, towing equipment should be attached to lifting point (1) on the frame at the front of the machine.
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| Illustration 2 | g00809995 |
Typical Retrieval Hitch (Rear) | |
For towing or retrieving the machine from the rear, attach the tow line or tow bar to retrieval hitch (2) at the rear of the machine.
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| Illustration 3 | g00809998 |
The machine has a hydraulic drive system. Open two bypass valves (3) before you tow the machine. The two bypass valves are located on the hydraulic pump.
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| Illustration 4 | g00810208 |
The above photograph shows a typical example of the pump. | |
Hold nuts (4) in position. At the same time turn nuts (5) in a counterclockwise direction by three full turns in order to open both bypass valves.
Note: Do not turn nuts (5) counterclockwise by more than three full turns.
Normally, the towing machine should be at least the size of the disabled machine. Make sure that the towing machine has enough brake capacity, weight and power. The towing machine must be able to control both machines for the grade, distance and conditions that are involved.
A larger towing machine and a solid tow bar will be required in order to provide sufficient control and braking when a disabled machine is moved downhill.
Shields must be provided on both machines. This will protect the operator if the tow line breaks or the tow bar breaks.
Do not allow any person on the disabled machine except the operator. Only allow the operator on the disabled machine if the operator can control the steering and/or braking.
Use an observer in a safe position in order to watch the procedure. The observer can stop the procedure if the tow line starts to break or the tow line starts to unravel. Stop the procedure if the towing machine moves without moving the towed machine.
Do not disengage the parking brake or remove chocks from the wheels before the tow line or tow bar has taken the weight of the disabled machine.
Quick machine movement could overload the tow line or tow bar. This could cause the tow line or tow bar to break. Gradual, smooth machine movement will be more effective.
Keep the tow line angle to a minimum. Do not exceed a 30 degree angle from the straight ahead position.
All situation requirements cannot be listed. Minimal towing machine capacity is required on smooth level surfaces while maximum towing machine capacity is required on grades with poor ground conditions.
If you are in doubt, consult your Caterpillar dealer for advice before you attempt to tow a disabled machine.
Close two bypass valves (3) before you start the machine. Hold nuts (4) in position. At the same time turn nuts (5) in a clockwise direction by three full turns in order to close both bypass valves. Tighten the nuts to a torque of 41 N·m (30 lb ft).