BASIC SAFETY MEASURES WHEN DRIVING OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
- The driving position of an off-road vehicle must be high, so that the driver can have the best visibility of the areas closest to the vehicle. Unlike in a car it is not necessary to "look far", but on the contrary, to be able to see all the angles of the body as much as possible. Therefore, a height adjustment of the seat must be made that provides us with maximum external visibility and that, at the same time, allows us to have comfortable access to all the controls, especially the steering wheel, which we have to be able to hold tightly. and without fatigue, as well as access to all transmission controls.
- It is always recommended when driving on roads to have 4x4 traction activated.
- In the event of any difficulty on the slope, use the low gears (4L).
- In conditions of loss of grip, the differential locks will be used, which will return to their initial position once the situation of loss of grip has been saved, as it can be counterproductive and dangerous to maintain them in situations of normal grip, as is the case with road traffic. The differential lock can be inserted and removed without having to stop the vehicle or press the clutch; if possible it will be done with the straight direction.
- For safety reasons, you must always wear your seatbelt, even when driving on the track, as it will hold us against any possible overturn or collision of the car.
- In situations of poor grip, such as going up or down steep slopes, avoid using the clutch. It is better to stall the vehicle and make use of the brake, which will always hold the car better, than to use the clutch and brake (to prevent the vehicle from stalling). Using the clutch will make it more difficult to stop the vehicle and there may be a risk of losing control of the vehicle and having an accident. It is for this reason that, in addition, in these situations it is necessary to avoid changing gears when we are going downhill.
- When taking the wheel, the fingers must be outside it, in case at any time and due to an obstacle, there is a violent turn that could damage them.
In general, driving smoothly and at low speeds is the best way to ensure safety, prevent injury, and extend vehicle life.
- Walk the ramp previously on foot, if it is the first time you intend to ascend or descend. In case of ascent, it is convenient to know what is at the end of it, since it is possible that we arrive without visibility and we could find an obstacle or a steep descent on the other side.
- Always go up or down on the line of maximum slope to avoid lateral inclinations due to the risk of tipping.
- Use the reducers, in first or second, both uphill and downhill.
- Generally, it is usually enough to put the second gear in reducer, because, although it has less power than the first, it can nevertheless acquire greater speed, thereby acquiring greater momentum.
- When, despite everything, we get stuck, DO NOT STEP ON THE CLUTCH, it is better to let the engine stall, stepping on the brake. Engage the reverse gear without taking your foot off the brake and only when it is correctly engaged, start without the clutch and release the brake pedal, letting the engine brake gently during the descent into reverse, while we only deal with guiding the direction so that the descent is in a straight line.
- On descents, neither the clutch nor the brakes should be touched, it is the engine that acts as a brake. To do this, we will put the reducer.
- On steep slopes we should not trust the handbrake, if we have to get out of the car, we must put a gear and put it on.
- Sometimes when descending a very steep slope, the car tends to cross the road, even running the risk of overturning. When this happens to us, we should not touch the brake but, on the contrary, accelerate slightly so that the car regains grip and we can control it. If we brake we run the risk of blocking the wheels and losing control of the car.
- The maximum wading height is the one that allows the car to submerge in water without damaging its mechanics, either because water enters the engine through the air filter or because it affects the ignition. The heights indicated by the different brands usually refer to the limit from which water enters the cabin.
- Before starting a wading, always explore on foot to find out the depth of the water and the condition of the bottom.
- Inspect the depth and width of the trench carefully on foot.
- Ditches must always be crossed diagonally, ensuring that there are always 3 wheels in contact with the ground and avoiding that the 2 front wheels are stuck in the ditch. If we try to cross it head-on, the safest thing is that the front bumper will stay stuck in the ground.
- In case the depth or width of the ditch is excessive, we can fill with stones or with the same spare wheel, to make the crossing easier.
- Drive smoothly to avoid skidding. To ensure adherence, all-wheel drive and reduction gear are imposed with a long gear (in third).
- In the event that there are grooves and they are not very deep, we can use them as a guide for the wheels. If they are very deep, it is better to drive along the ridges to avoid the bottom of the car hitting the ground.
- If the wheels slip, we will not insist on removing it by motor, we will try small rocking (back and forth) without making the wheels spin. We will clean the ground under the wheels and we will place branches, logs, stones, etc ... and select the longest possible gear.
- The main risk is to get stuck. To avoid this, drive smoothly and circulate with all-wheel drive, in reduction gear and with the highest gear that the vehicle supports.
- Avoid using the brake as it can cause the wheels to lock up and the consequent skidding. Take advantage of the retention capacity offered by the motor.
- Use the reduction gears.
- Drive smoothly: do not jerk the steering wheel or accelerate too much.
- If the track has a lateral incline, try to drive with the wheels straight to prevent it from buckling and skidding towards the lower side.
- We must pay the utmost attention in case the snow hides a ditch or an obstacle.
- Know the free height of our vehicle, to know the size of rocks that we can freely circumvent. In those rocks that we cannot avoid, see if there is the possibility of rolling over them with the wheels over them. (Watch out for the side tilt!)
- Drive at very low speed, if possible with reducers to control the vehicle more.
-The best way to face them is from the front, because if we do it at an angle there will be a moment when 2 diagonally opposite wheels will be in the air and we will run out of traction. In this case we will have to take into account the height of the spine and the light under the car, because we could stay high in the air.
- Likewise, we will take into account when crossing backs as well as in very steep ascents and descents, the angle of attack and departure, if they are very large we will brush in the front or rear.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF THE WINCH
All personnel must wear helmets, goggles and gloves.
• The winch cable should never be handled without gloves because it may have filaments that can cause cuts.
• We will prevent the cable from sliding over rocks, etc. For this, it can be protected, in those areas, with 1 m lengths of hose. long and diameter 50 mm. longitudinally sectioned to be able to introduce the cable inside.
• The rope must be wound correctly around the winch drum. With this we will avoid deterioration of the cable, and we will improve its traction capacity.
• The MAXIMUM amount of rope that can be unwound will be that which leaves a FULL SPIN on the winch drum. AT LEAST ONE FULL TURN MUST ALWAYS BE ON THE WINCH DRUM.
• Do not use the winch to tow or pull another vehicle (the winch is designed to pull itself). We will use the slings for this.
• Do not fix the winch directly on an anchor point by rolling it up on itself. The slings will be used to transform the object, fixed to the ground, that we want into an anchor point and later the winch will be attached to the sling.
• During towing maneuvers, ALL PERSONNEL must be outside the area of influence of the same, to avoid damage in case of cable breakage.
• The person who operates the winch must be inside the vehicle, with the remote control, and with the hood raised, in order to have greater protection in case of cable breakage.
• A heavy blanket or jacket must be placed over the cable that will act as a brake, discharging all the energy to the ground, in case of cable breakage.
• During pulling maneuvers, the driving force must be applied gently to avoid jerks on the rigging and reduce damage to all rig elements.
• Since the winch motor heats up quickly, let it rest for 1 minute for every 30 seconds of pulling.
• The winch will be used with the vehicle's engine running, so as not to discharge the battery.
• Inspect the winch cable before and after each use. IF IT IS TWISTED OR FRAYED, IT MUST BE REPLACED. Also inspect the hook and its pin.
• Keep all equipment clean and avoid submerging it in water. The remote control connectors are a very delicate item, store them in a clean and dry place.
SEQUENCE IN THE USE OF THE WINCH
1.- Put on gloves and helmet
2.- Connect the remote control
3.- Release the winch hook, using the remote control
4.- Disengage the clutch, bringing the lever to the disengage position. With this action we safeguard the battery (do not try to disengage the clutch with the cable under tension)
5.- Pull the cable to the anchor point and make sure that it remains taut on the drum
6.- Secure the cable to the anchor point by means of a sling with carabiner and fix the cable hook
7.- Engage the clutch, turning the lever to the position to engage
8.- Tighten the cable using the remote control and check that the cable is wound evenly around the drum. Once tense, walk away and never step over it.
9.- Check the anchorage and make sure that all connections are well fixed
10.- Place a blanket or jacket midway between the winch and the anchor point
11.- Notify all those involved before starting to shoot
12.- Start pulling with the vehicle's engine running slowly and steadily. Make sure it wraps evenly and tightly around the drum
13.- Wind for about 30 seconds, accelerating the engine and letting rest the same time
14.- When the vehicle can move by itself, the operation will be finished
15.- Lock the vehicle and release the cable tension
16.- Wind the cable accompanying it at a distance of no less than one meter of cable guide. Place the hook in an eyelet and tighten slightly
17.- Disconnect the remote control and store it in a clean and dry place
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