Battery Maintenance ; 39 Battery ; Protect Yourself 4- Page 5

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

• Return, lower and tighten the battery retainer and 

replace the side cover.

• 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.

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

39 Battery 

Maintenance

Protect Yourself   4

Know the Hazards

AVOID FALLS AND TIPOVERS

Tipovers are very serious accidents. You can be 
crushed or even killed if you try to jump clear of an 
overturning or falling center-control truck. Keep your 
seat belt fastened, grip the steering wheel tightly, 
brace your feet, and push yourself back between the 
side restraints. The best way to prevent injury is know 
where you are at all times and follow the rules of safe 
truck operation.

• Be extremely careful when working around docks, 

dockboards and trailers.

• Use forward tilt only when you have the load in a 

rack, over a stack or close to the fl oor.

• Travel with the load or forks close to the ground 

and tilted back. Watch for overhead obstructions. 
Perform all truck movements smoothly and at 
a speed that will give you time to react in an 
emergency.

• An unloaded truck can tip over also. Be just as 

careful using an unloaded truck as you are a 
loaded one.

USE YOUR TRUCK SAFELY

• Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts 

such as chains, wheels or mast. Make sure the load 
backrest is in place, when required.

• Never stand on or under the forks, or allow anyone 

else to stand on or under them. The only way to lift 
people is with an approved platform. Never allow 
passengers on the truck. There is no safe place for 
them.

• Before you leave your truck: Come to a complete 

stop, lower forks to the fl oor and shut the truck off 
with the key.

Stay clear of all
moving parts.

Moving parts can
cut or crush hands,
feet, arms or legs.

WARNING