You must master these usage skills of crawler bulldozers!

Speed change and advance/retreat

When shifting gears, first push the throttle handle forward to the low-speed idle position, then push the main clutch lever to the front to disengage the main clutch. Due to the effect of the small brake inside the main clutch, the power input shaft of the transmission stops rotating. At this point, the gearshift lever can be correctly moved to the desired gear, and then the advance and retreat levers can be placed in the forward or reverse position (when the bulldozer is moving forward, pull the advance and retreat levers backward; when reversing, push them forward). After shifting into gear, pull the throttle handle backward to increase the engine speed and smoothly connect the main clutch. The bulldozer then starts to move.

When the bulldozer is in motion, the main clutch lever should be pulled to the rear end and must not be placed in the semi-engaged position. The semi-engagement of the main clutch will accelerate the wear of the friction plates.

The transmission of a bulldozer usually has five forward gears and four reverse gears. The direction of the bulldozer's movement can be changed by using the advance and retreat rods.

When a bulldozer is in operation, it should run at the maximum speed as much as possible to enhance operational efficiency. However, drivers should always pay attention to whether the engine is running normally. When they find that the engine is overheating and black smoke is coming out of the exhaust, they should appropriately reduce the speed.

Turn

When turning during the operation of a crawler bulldozer, the steering clutch lever can be pulled backward to disengage the steering clutch. As a result, the rotational speed of the corresponding tracks slows down, and the bulldozer begins to turn. To make a sharp turn with a bulldozer, in addition to disengaging the steering clutch, the corresponding brake pedal should also be depressed. Generally, a sharp turn is only allowed when the bulldozer is in first gear. When the brake is not in use, the foot should not be placed on the brake pedal; otherwise, it will cause the brake band to wear out and increase fuel consumption.

When turning a bulldozer, the brake pedal should be pressed steadily to avoid jolting when turning. After the turn, you should first release the brake pedal and then the control lever. If the turning radius is large, there is no need to press the brake pedal. When it is not necessary, it is strictly forbidden to make the bulldozer rotate at high speed in place to avoid the track derailing and causing an accident.

Drive on a slope

Bulldozers of different models have different climbing capabilities (generally 30°), and the slopes and terrains that bulldozers of the same structure can adapt to are also different. Drivers should be familiar with the climbing limit of the model they are using to avoid landslides due to insufficient ability to go up and down slopes.

Before going uphill, one should choose an appropriate speed gear based on the terrain, the size and length of the slope. It is not allowed to change gears during the climb. When going uphill, the bulldozer should run at a vertical Angle to the slope. Lateral travel is not allowed on steep slopes. The shovel can be lowered appropriately to avoid obstructing the view and to enable it to touch the ground quickly in case of a landslide to assist the bulldozer in braking.

If the engine stalls while going uphill, the fuel supply should be stopped immediately, the shovel lowered and emergency braking applied. When the machine cannot be stopped on a slope, shift to reverse gear and slide slowly to the bottom of the slope (while braking and sliding) before starting. If the fuel supply is not stopped and the vehicle slides down in the forward gear, the power will be transmitted back to the engine, causing it to reverse and catch fire, and the air filter will spray fuel outward. In case of a reverse rotation and fire, the accelerator should be quickly turned off and the bulldozer braked. Before restarting, check whether the gearshift lever is in neutral position.

When a bulldozer is going downhill, a low gear with a small throttle should be selected and the brake pedal should be used.

Through cliffs or stony beaches

When a bulldozer needs to pass through large mounds of earth or cliffs and other obstacles, it should drive up slowly and at a low speed. At the moment when the machine body is about to tilt forward at the top, the clutch should be quickly disengaged to allow the front part of the bulldozer to touch the ground slowly, and then the clutch should be engaged to continue moving forward. Do not drive diagonally over obstacles. Do not pull the steering lever when driving over an obstacle.

When passing through the stony beach, you should choose your route in advance and drive all the way through. Try to make as few turns as possible along the way. You should drive in low gear with a small throttle. It is not allowed to drive in high gear with a large throttle or make sharp turns on the bumpy stony beach.