OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES A. INSTRUMENT PANEL OPERATIONS The instrument panel in the operator s compartment contains the following gauges and electro/ mechanical devices: 1. Battery Discharge Indicator and Hour Meter This combination gauge is the means by which the operator can monitor the state of charge of the battery, and the cumulative number of hours the unit has been in operation. The battery discharge indicator is color coded for easy legibility. (See Figure 2) Green indicates a full charge. Yellow means that the battery has a marginal charge, and red means low. Do not continue to use the unit once the red light has illuminated. Proceed as quickly as possible to a recharging station. If the state of charge falls below 20% of capacity, the red light begins to flash. At this point, the unit can initially still be diven to a charging station, but the speed capability is drastically reduced to discourage continued usage. 2. System Indicator Light Figure 1: Operator Controls System indicator light illuminates when the power switch is in the on position and power is reaching the controller. Chapter 1: General Information and Operating Instructions Sept. 1995 Section 1-3 p. 1
OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES A. INSTRUMENT PANEL OPERATIONS (CONT) Note: New operators should be aware that an electric motor makes no noise when the unit is sitting still. Learn to watch for the presence of the illuminated system indicator light. When this light is on and the hand brake is disengaged, the unit is ready to drive. 3. Power-On ("Ignition") Switch The ignition switch is the main Figure 2: Hour Meter power switch for all systems. When the switch is on, power is made available for the throttle, hydraulics and all related systems. When the switch is off, power is not available for any systems, including lights and horn. 4. Headlight Switch The headlight switch is a standard on-off toggle providing power to the headlights. Note: The headlights will not work if the Power-on switch is in the "off" position. B. MANEUVERING CONTROLS Maneuvering controls on the M3 include the following: 1. Steering Wheel 2. Brake Pedal 3. Foot Throttle 4. Turn Signal (optional) 5. Shifter C. 12V ELECTRICAL SUPPLY PANEL The main 12v electrical supply panel is located below the instrument panel. See section 2-2, page 9. Electrical Schematics for description of electrical components. Chapter 1: General Information and Operating Instructions Sept. 1995 Section 1-3 p. 2
D. PRELIMINARY CHECKS Procedures for preliminary checks before maneuvering the vehicle to an aircraft shall include (but may not be limited to) the following items: 1. Battery Charge Level 2. Tire Inflation 3. Hydraulic Oil Level 4. Wheel Brake Effectiveness 5. Parking Brake Effectiveness 6. Vehicle Drive Forward 7. Vehicle Drive Reverse E. MANEUVERING PROCEDURES Procedures for maneuvering the vehicle are outlined below: WARNING: OBSERVE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DISCUSSED IN THE SAFETY SECTION OF THIS MANUAL. 1. Switch main power switch ("ignition") to ON. 2. Release parking brake 3. Select drive direction (FWD/REV) 4. Depress foot throttle 5. Maneuver vehicle with steering wheel. WARNING: ALWAYS USE PARK BRAKE WHEN LEAVING VEHICLE. DRIVE TRAIN HAS NO "PARK" POSITION AND MUST RELY ON PARK BRAKE TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. F. DRIVE DIRECTION SELECTOR (SHIFTER): A drive direction lever controls the operation of limit switches to transfer current flow through the drive motor. To select a vehicle drive direction: Chapter 1: General Information and Operating Instructions Sept. 1995 Section 1-3 p. 3
OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES (CONT) F. DRIVE DIRECTION SELECTOR (SHIFTER): 1. Move direction selector lever up (towards front of vehicle) to select reverse drive direction. 2. Move direction selector lever down (towards driver s seat) to select forward drive direction. 3. Neutral is located midway between forward and reverse. Note: Export vehicles and certain industrial applications may deviate from this convention. G. PARKING BRAKE The parking brake is a cable actuated type, manually engaging the rear brake pads onto the rotors. The brake actuating device is located to the right of the driver s seat in the driver s compartment. 1. To apply parking brake, lift actuating lever up. 2. To release parking brake, push actuating lever down. WARNING: ALWAYS USE PARK BRAKE WHEN LEAVING VEHICLE. DRIVE TRAIN HAS NO "PARK" POSITION AND MUST RELY ON PARK BRAKE TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. H. FOOT THROTTLE The foot throttle is a specialized electro-mechanical accelerator that sends power increase/ decrease signals to the controller. 1. To increase speed, depress foot throttle. 2. To decrease speed, release foot throttle. I. STEERING WHEEL The steering system is a hydraulic type powered from an electric hydraulic pump. 1. To turn left, rotate the steering wheel counter-clockwise. 2. To turn right, rotate the steering wheel clockwise. Chapter 1: General Information and Operating Instructions Sept. 1995 Section 1-3 p. 4