DR Power Towable Backhoe - Manual (Page 5)

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Hydraulic Safety
Safety When Digging Near Utilities
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If you spill gasoline, do not attempt to start the engine. Move the machine away from the area of the spill and avoid creating
any source of ignition until the gas vapors have dissipated. Wipe up any spilled fuel to prevent a fire hazard and properly
dispose of the waste.
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Allow the engine to cool completely before storing in any enclosure. Never store a machine that has gas in the tank, or a fuel
container, near an open flame or spark such as a water heater, space heater, clothes dryer or furnace.
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Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running. Shut down the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, keeping
it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting, wait 5 minutes before making adjustments or repairs.
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Never tamper with the engine’s governor setting. The governor controls the maximum safe operation speed and protects
the engine. Over-speeding the engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the engine and to the other moving parts of
the machine. If required, see your authorized dealer for engine governor adjustments.
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Keep combustible substances away from the engine when it is hot.
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Never cover the machine while the muffler is still hot.
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Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner or the carburetor air intake cover removed. Removal of such parts could
create a fire hazard. Do not use flammable solutions to clean the air filter.
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The muffler and engine become very hot and can cause a severe burn; do not touch.
High fluid pressures are developed in hydraulic machines. Pressurized hydraulic fluid escaping through a pin hole opening can
puncture skin and cause severe blood poisoning. Therefore, the following Instructions should be heeded at all times.
• Do not operate the unit with frayed, kinked, cracked or damaged hoses, fittings, or tubing. Stop the engine, wait 5 minutes and
relieve hydraulic system pressure before changing or adjusting fittings, hoses, tubing, or other system components.
•
Do not change any backhoe relief valve settings. They are set at the factory for best backhoe performance and safety.
• Do not check for leaks with your hand. Leaks can be located by passing cardboard or wood over the suspected area: Look for
discoloration. If injured by escaping fluid, see a doctor at once. Serious infection or reaction can develop if proper medical
treatment is not administered immediately.
•
Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from hydraulic fluid.
Call 811 before you begin any digging project. A new, federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number, 811 was created
to help protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utilities while working on digging projects. Every digging job requires
a call. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself or those around you, disrupt service and
potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs.
• There may be buried power, gas, and/or telephone lines in the work area. Electric shock, death, or explosion may occur.
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Have the property or work area marked for buried lines and do not dig in marked areas.
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There may also be overhead power lines in the work area. electric shock or death may occur if a power line is touched by the
backhoe.
• Survey and mark the area where there are overhead power lines and dig with caution under power lines to ensure that you do
not touch them with the backhoe.