HUSTLER MDV User Manual

REV A 2-4 606653
• If the vehicle begins to tip turn the front wheels
downhill and proceed to drive slowly down the
slope, if possible.
• When driving on soft terrain, it may be necessary
to turn the front wheels slightly uphill to keep the
vehicle traveling in a straight line.
 Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the vehicle. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
 Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
 Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not
make sudden changes in speed or direction.
 Avoid starting and stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, or if vehicle starts to tip, turn the front wheels
downhill and proceed to drive slowly down the slope.
 Avoid parking on a slope. If it is not possible to park on
a flat, level surface then, park the vehicle horizontally
across the slope, and engage the park brake.
• If you must park on a slope chock the wheels.
 Keep a safe distance (minimum of 10 feet) away from
drop-offs, retaining walls, drainage ditches, embank-
ments, water, and other types of hazards to avoid a
wheel dropping over the edge or to avoid the ground
from breaking away. This will reduce the risk of the
vehicle suddenly rolling over causing serious injury or
death.
 To avoid tipping backwards:
• Always back up steep slopes or out of boggy or
muddy ditches.
• Do not become overconfident in the vehicle’s
ability to climb slopes when the traction control
switch is in any position other than the normal
operating position.
 Do not operate on wet terrain. Slippery conditions
reduce traction which could cause sliding and loss of
control.
 Do not tow on slopes. The weight of the towed equip-
ment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.
 Reduce the cargo load and slow down when operating
on a slope or over rough terrain. Do not dump the
cargo bed while on a slope.
 Operate the cargo bed dump only with the vehicle sta-
tionary on level ground and the parking brake engaged.
 Make sure the vehicle is on a firm, level surface and
the parking brake is engaged before or tilting the cargo
bed.
 Pay attention to the size, weight, and placement of
attachments as they will affect vehicle stability.
 Never make sudden starts, stops, turns, or reversals of
direction, especially when maneuvering on slopes.
Rapid movement of the steering wheel could result in
a reaction of the vehicle that can cause serious injury.
 If vehicle loses power or stops when going up a hill:
• Engage the park brake to stabilize the vehicle.
• Keep the front wheels straight and slowly disen-
gage the park brake.
• Slowly, back straight down the slope using the
service brakes to control your speed.
• Do not allow the front wheels to turn sideways.
 Never start or stop suddenly when going up or down a
slope. This action may result in a reaction of the vehi-
cle that can cause serious physical injury.
 It is strongly recommended that the operator drive the
vehicle off of the slope slowly, using extreme caution,
if any sign of loss of traction is detected. Wait until the
condition that caused the problem is resolved before
attempting to operate on the slope again.
Terrain and operating conditions can affect traction
resulting in possible loss of control of the vehicle.
Some of the conditions to be aware of are:
• Wet terrain
• Depressions in the ground; i.e. holes, ruts, wash-
outs
• Mounds of dirt
• Soil type; i.e. sand, loose dirt, gravel, clay
• Grass type, density, and height
• Extremely dry conditions of grass
• Tire pressure
• Weight in cargo box
Any attachments mounted to the vehicle, cargo load,
and load placement will also affect the way it handles
on a slope. Be aware that each attachment’s charac-
teristics vary.
Another consideration for safe slope operation is to be
aware of what is located at the bottom of the slope.
Extreme caution should be used when there is a haz-
ard located at the bottom of the slope. Some examples
are:
• Water; i.e. lake, river
• Cliffs, retaining walls
• Roads, highways
• Buildings
• Rocks
These are just a few examples of situations when cau-
tion must be used when operating on a slope. There
are many other possibilities too numerous to mention.
Just remember to always exercise extreme caution
when operating on any slope.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children may be attracted to the vehicle
and related activity. Never assume that children will remain
where you last saw them.

HUSTLER MDV Specifications

General

Brand	HUSTLER
Model	MDV
Category	Offroad Vehicle
Language	English