CONTACT-CONNECTION 1172978 - Caterpillar

Personal injury or death could result when towing a disabled machine incorrectly.Block the machine to prevent movement before final drives are disengaged. The machine can roll free if it is not blocked. With final drives disengaged, the machine cannot be stopped or steered.Follow the recommendations below, to properly perform the towing procedure.Relieve the hydraulic tank and line pressure before any disassembly.Even after the machine has been turned off, the hydraulic oil can still be hot enough to burn. Allow the hydraulic oil to cool before draining.
To tow the machine, both final drives must be disengaged.Do not operate the travel motors with the final drives disengaged. Damage could result.
These towing instructions are for moving a disabled machine for a short distance at low speed. Move the machine at a speed of 2 km/h (1.2 mph) or less to a convenient location for repair. Always haul the machine if long distance moving is required.Shields must be provided on both machines. This will protect the operator if the tow line or the tow bar breaks.Do not allow an operator to be on the machine that is being towed.Before you tow the machine, make sure that the tow line or the tow bar is in good condition. Do not use a wire rope that is kinked, twisted, or damaged. Make sure that the tow line or the tow bar has enough strength for the towing procedure that is involved. The strength of the tow line or of the tow bar should be at least 150 percent of the gross weight of the towed machine. This requirement is for a disabled machine that is stuck in the mud and for being towed on a grade. Do not use a chain for pulling a disabled machine. A chain link can break. This may cause personal injury. Use a wire rope with ends that have loops or rings. Put an observer in a safe position in order to watch the pulling procedure. The observer can stop the procedure if the wire rope starts to break. Stop pulling whenever the towing machine moves without moving the towed machine.During towing, do not allow anyone to step between the towing and the towed machines.Do not allow the wire rope to be straddled while the machine is being towed.Keep the tow line angle to a minimum. Do not exceed a 30 degree angle from the straight ahead position.Avoid towing the machine on a slope.Quick machine movement could overload the tow line or the tow bar. This could cause the tow line or the tow bar to break. Gradual, steady machine movement will be more effective.Prior to releasing the brake of the final drive, firmly lock both tracks in order to prevent the machine from moving suddenly. When the machine is ready to be towed, release the brake of the final drive. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Final Drive Ring Gear Removal".Normally, the towing machine should be as large as the disabled machine. Make sure that the towing machine