very hard material, raise the moldboard until the load on
2-17. The bulldozer is operated by placing the
the engine is reduced. When the moldboard is lowered
moldboard control handle into the raise "R", hold "H",
and digging, lift it slightly before turning the vehicle.
lower "L", or float "F" position. In the float position (fig.
2-4), the moldboard rides on
the ground with only its
Note. The vehicle turning radius is greatly
weight for downward pressure.
This position is
extremely useful in moving loose material on hard
increased when the bulldozer moldboard is in
surfaces or in helping to level the ground in the working
digging position.
area. When the control handle is in lower position, the
moldboard will continue to be lowered until it rets on the
2-19. Emergency lifting cables can be utilized to raise
ground or reaches the lowest point of its travel. The
the moldboard when the hydraulic system is inoperative.
hold position (fig. 2-5) hydraulically retains the
In this procedure, the cables are attached to the
moldboard in a fixed position of raise or lower as
moldboard and track end connectors. The moldboard is
selected by the operator.
lifted by reversing travel of the tank. Detailed operating
2-18. Up-and-down motion d the vehicle must be
of the M48A3 tank is described in TM 9-2350-224-10,
compensated for by lowering or raising the moldboard.
Operator's Manual.
When the front of the vehicle starts to "nose up," lower
the moldboard far enough to compensate for the vehicle
2-20. The bulldozer is taken out of operation by
motion. If the vehicle engine becomes overloaded
raising the moldboard, engaging the carrying hooks, and
when cutting through
turning "off" the hydraulic oil pump electromagnetic
2-7