33 Battery ; Battery Maintenance; Battery Maintenance 34- Page 18

33 Battery 

Maintenance

Battery Maintenance

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, remove the storage tray 
  (if present), and move the seat towards the rear.   
  Raise the seat deck to the open position. 

Note:

 A seat  

  deck can fall. Make certain the gas struts are working  
  properly and will hold the seat deck securely in the  
 open 

position.

•  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 battery retainer and side cover.
• Lower and latch the seat deck.  
• Connect the battery.  
• Return the steering wheel and seat to a comfortable  
  position. Turn the truck ON and check truck  

 operation.

Battery Maintenance   34

Know the Hazards

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.

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.

Minimum battery size allowed

000 mm 

(00.00 in.)

 wide

000 mm 

(00.00 in.)

 long

Undersize battery can affect truck

handling and stability. You could have
an accident.
Use U.L. classified Type EO battery.

WARNING

Batteries produce explosive gas.

Do not smoke, use open flame, 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, flush immediately.  Get medical 
attention if your eyes are affected.

DANGER