Battery Maintenance; 29 Battery ; Battery Maintenance 30- Page 16

Know the Hazards

Battery Maintenance

29 Battery 

Maintenance

Battery Maintenance   30

WHEN YOU INSTALL OR CHANGE A BATTERY

• Turn the truck 

OFF

 and check that all controls are in 

neutral. Disconnect the battery. Tilt the steering 
wheel up and raise the battery cover. Remove the 
full side cover or short battery retainer.

• Make certain you use the correct size and weight 

battery. Never operate a truck that has an 
underweight or undersized battery installed.

• If you use a roller stand to install or remove a

battery, make sure the roller stand is the same height 
as the rollers in your truck's battery compartment.  
Also make sure the roller stand is at least as long as 
the battery.

• Never let anything metal touch the top of the cells.

  You could cause sparks or do damage to the battery.   
  Use an insulator (such as plywood) when necessary.

• Use an approved spreader bar to move a battery to,  

  or from, the battery compartment or stand. Make 
  sure you adjust the spreader bar hooks to fi t  

 the battery.

AFTER INSTALLING YOUR BATTERY

• Replace the full side cover or short battery retainer.
• Lower and latch the battery cover.  
• Connect the battery.
• Return the steering wheel to a comfortable position.

Turn the truck 

ON

 and check truck operation.

TRUCK BATTERIES CAN BE DANGEROUS

Your truck battery produces gas that can explode.  
It also contains acid that could burn or disfi gure you.

• Do not try to install, remove, charge or service your  
  truck battery unless you are trained and authorized.
• Never smoke or use an open fl ame around batteries.
• Your company should provide an area where it is

safe to work on batteries. Use that area for all
battery work.

• Use protective equipment such as gloves, eye 

shields, aprons etc. when working on batteries.

BATTERY RETAINER MUST BE IN PLACE

The battery could slide out if the retainer is not in 
place. Check that the retainer is installed and secure, 
and battery cover is latched.

BATTERY SIZE AND WEIGHT IS IMPORTANT

Make certain you use the correct size and weight 
battery. Never operate a truck that has an underweight 
or undersized battery installed.

BEFORE CHARGING YOUR TRUCK BATTERY

• See that the battery cells are fi lled to the 
  proper level. Never use an open fl ame to 
  check the batteries.

• Check that the charger is the same voltage 
  and amperage as the battery. Read the battery 
 charger 

instructions.

• Be sure the charger is turned OFF  before connecting

the battery to the charger. Otherwise a spark could  
cause the battery to explode. Also, make sure the  
truck key switch is turned OFF and all controls are 
in neutral. 

DANGER

107

Batteries produce explosive gas.

Do not smoke, use open 

fl

 ame or

create an arc or sparks near this

battery.  Ventilate well in enclosed

areas and when charging.

Batteries contain 

Sulfuric Acid

 which

causes severe burns.  Do not get in

eyes, on skin, or clothing.  In case of 

contact, 

fl

 ush immediately.  Get medical

attention if your eyes are affected.

WARNING

Minimum battery size allowed.

xxx mm (xx.xx in.) wide
xxx mm (xx.xx in.) long

Undersize battery can affect truck 
handling and stability.  You could have 
an accident.

Use U.L. classified Type E battery.