TM 5-2420-230-10
b. Traveling Over Rough Ground.
Reduce vehicle speed as necessary when traveling over rough ground.
c. Traveling on a Slope.
The greatest danger of the vehicle tipping over exists while negotiating slopes. Great care must be exercised when
operating on slopes.
Do not attempt to jump clear of a tipping vehicle; serious or fatal crushing injuries may result. Vehicle
tips faster than driver can jump free. Failure to comply may result in injury or death to personnel.
If the vehicle starts to tip, stay seated. The Rollover Protection Structure/Falling Object Protection Structure (ROPS/
FOPS) protects the operator in the event of the vehicle tipping.
Always travel straight up and down slopes, never at an angle, and never perpendicular to the slope. Drive up the slope in
forward gear and down the slope in reverse gear. Remember, the danger of tipping is always present.
When traveling over uneven ground, it is important to keep the FEL active, to allow it to be raised or
lowered as required for ground clearance. Failure to comply may result in injury or death to personnel.
When traveling up- or down-hill with a loaded bucket, keep the bucket on the uphill side, as low as possible. If the
vehicle starts to slip or become unstable, lower the bucket to the ground and stop the vehicle immediately.
In steep slope conditions, do not allow the engine to race. Select low gear speed before starting down slopes.
If the engine stalls on a slope, quickly apply the brake and lower the bucket to the ground. Apply the parking brake and
restart the engine.
d. Fording.
Water seriously affects the performance of brakes. Ensure that brakes are dried out completely after
crossing any water hazard. Failure to comply may result in damage to equipment.
Serious damage can occur to the axles if they are submerged in water. Determine the depth of any
water required to be forded before entering.
The IHMEE has a fording depth of 30 in. (760 mm) with wake, enabling vehicle to ford water or mud up to that depth.
After crossing any water hazard, it is essential that water be removed from the brakes. This can be achieved by making
several light applications of the brake pedal until full efficiency of the brakes is restored. Refer to Para 3-10 for
information on lubrication after fording.
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