Vehicles owned or leased by the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service shall be
driven only by persons who have qualified according to
the regulations established by the Office of Personnel
Management, USDA, and the USDA Forest Service. A
valid State driver’s license for the size and class of
vehicle being operated is mandatory and must be in the
operator’s possession during operation.
Instructions and procedures governing qualification
requirements for USDA Forest Service motor vehicle
operators are included in Forest Service Manual (FSM)
7134. All personnel who operate motor vehicles owned
or leased by the Government must meet these requirements.
Unauthorized Drivers
Do not allow Government-owned or -leased vehicles to
be driven by unauthorized persons. In cases of accident
or vehicle damage, the authorized driver/operator is
held responsible for the actions of the unauthorized
driver/operator.
Operation
Operators are required to exercise caution when driving
Government vehicles. Damage such as broken springs
(from speeding on rough roads) or vehicle overloading
and damage to tires, fenders, tie rods, gas tanks, and
axles can usually be avoided. The operator will be held
responsible for abusive use of the vehicle.
The operator is responsible for preventive maintenance
checks before, during, and after operation of the vehicle.
Operators should become thoroughly familiar with the
travel and equipment sections of the Health and
Safety Code Handbook, FSH (Forest Service Handbook)
6709.11.
Safety Rules
Observe all traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations
of the State or local community in which the vehicle
is operated. Consult the State vehicle code for applicable
regulations.
Do not carry loose objects, such as tools or instruments,
in vehicle passenger compartments unless
passengers are shielded by a mesh divider or other
protective devices. Keep dash and floor clear of
objects.
Never drive a vehicle when the load or other objects
obscure your view, interfere with your driving, prevent
free access to emergency equipment, or
prevent free and ready exit from the cab or driving
compartment by any person. Additional information
on securing loads and loose objects, hauling personnel,
and so forth, is discussed in chapter 4.
Approach all railroad crossings at a speed that
allows for safe stopping.
When traveling, maintain an interval of at least 2
seconds. Allow more distance if another vehicle is
following at an improper distance, if road conditions
warrant, or if required by State law.
Turn off the engine and two-way radio when any
vehicle or engine is being fueled. Do not smoke
within 50 feet of the vehicle or fuel supply.
Turn off two-way radios when passing near a blasting
area or explosives storage area.
Pull off the road for a short rest, coffee break, or
change of drivers if you are getting drowsy.
Open at least one window to provide interior ventilation
when running the motor of a parked vehicle.
Equip every
USDA Forest Service vehicle with seat belts, warning flags/reflectors,
chains or traction
devices, and a first aid kit. Use seat belts when
provided.
Give proper signals before taking any action.
Defensive Driving
Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of death
and serious injury. Adopt a policy of defensive driving.
This means:
Drive to avoid accident situations created by the
mistakes of others or by weather and road conditions.
Yield the right-of-way, even when, by all rules of the
road, it may be yours.
Watch far ahead for wildlife, livestock, people, or
vehicles moving onto the road or stopping; watch for
highway signs or signals, icy spots, chuckholes, or
a vehicle on the wrong side of the road.
When passing, approach the vehicle carefully, ease
in and out of traffic, and allow plenty of passing
distance.
Make an unbroken series of concessions to other
drivers who are thoughtless, unskilled, or ignorant
of the hazards they create.
Speed
Be thoroughly familiar with State and local speed
laws; comply with them at all times. Defensive
driving requires driving at a safe speed rather than merely
complying with the posted speed.
Drive at a speed that permits full control of
the vehicle, allowing for all road, weather, and traffic
conditions.
On curves, be able to stop the vehicle
within less than half of the visible distance.
Thinking and Stopping Distances (Feet)
(Average on a hard-surfaced road)
Speed
Thinking
Distance
Mechanical stopping distance
after brakes are applied
Total
feet
20 mph
22
28
50
30 mph
33
68
101
40 mph
44
127
171
50 mph
55
203
258
*Average ¾ second
Turning Around
When turning around on mountain roads, always
turn with the back of the vehicle toward the uphill
bank; face danger.
Do not turn unless you have a clear view for 200
feet in each direction.
Use a helper (if available) who is on the ground and
can see the dangers.
Braking
Use your engine to assist the brakes. When
brakes are applied, heat is generated and some of
the lining is worn away. If brakes are held continuously,
the brake lining may be burned. Save the
brakes by using the engine and transmission to slow
the vehicle. Use the brakes to assist the engine.
However, in doing so, avoid excessive engine revolutions
per minute as this will damage the engine.
Think ahead. Begin to slow down early by taking
your foot off the accelerator while leaving the clutch
engaged. Apply the brakes firmly but gradually.
Remember that increasing the load increases the
braking distance. This does not mean that the engine
should be used as a brake by shifting to a lower gear
for normal stops, such as stop signs or traffic lights.
Be kind to your brakes. When using the foot brake
on hills, take the following precautions to prevent
skidding or overheating the brakes:
Apply the brakes firmly but not abruptly.
Abrupt application with full force may lock the wheels and
cause the vehicle to slip or skid out of control.
Apply
the brakes at intervals, only as needed.
Parking brake. The
parking
brake is designed
to
hold a stopped vehicle stationary. Do not use it to
stop or slow down, except in an emergency. The
foot brake is far more effective and will not crack an
axle or drive shaft. Usually, the parking brake can
be set more effectively by applying the foot brakes
first.
Operation on Hills
It is risky to change gears while climbing or descending
a hill; the safest procedure is to select the proper gear
before starting to climb. However, if it is necessary to
go to a lower gear, make the shift before the engine slows
down to a stalling point.
Do not depend on the brakes alone on steep hills. If the
road is slippery and the vehicle starts to slide when
the brakes are applied, the wheels will lock, causing loss
of control because the operator cannot steer. Use a lower
gear and leave the clutch engaged. This will cause the
driving wheels to turn, engine compression will slow
the vehicle, and the wheels will revolve freely enough to
permit steering control.
Uphill. If the engine stalls while climbing a steep
hill and it is necessary to back down, apply the foot
brake, set the parking brake, disengage the clutch,
and shift quickly into reverse. If the vehicle does not
slide or roll, start the engine while the clutch is still
disengaged, and engage the clutch while releasing
the brakes.
If the vehicle slides or rolls while the clutch is disengaged,
reengage it immediately after shifting into
reverse, and release the brakes. If the engine does not start turning immediately,
use the starter to
relieve the strain on the gears. Then back down
Downhill. When approaching
a downgrade, first
select a suitable gear. A good rule is to use one
gear lower than would be used for driving up the
same hill. Keep the clutch engaged, the throttle
closed, and the ignition on before the vehicle
starts down. Then observe the following instructions:
Keep the vehicle
under complete control at all times. Lives may depend on it.
Reduce
speed, if necessary, by liberal use of the foot brakes.
Remember that
the possibility of losing control over your speed on descents is greater
when the
vehicle is loaded.
Remember that slower speeds are required when
weather and road conditions are unfavorable.
Never coast downhill
in neutral.
Runaway vehicle. If the braking effects of both the
engine and the brakes fail to hold the vehicle and it
starts to run out of control down a hill, the last resort
is to ditch the vehicle by running it off the road—against a bank if
possible—at a gradual angle. This
must be done before the runaway vehicle has gained
too much speed. Prompt ditching of a runaway
vehicle can prevent a much more serious accident.
Use of Sirens and Emergency Lights
Sirens and red or blue emergency lights are to be used
only by authorized drivers. These sirens and lights warn
the public of the presence of an emergency vehicle.
Before operating a red or blue light and siren, an employee
must pass the necessary examination and have
the qualifications shown on the Equipment Operator’s
Identification Card. Oral permission is not a qualification.
Sirens and red or blue lights will be installed only by
mechanics after the approval of the forest supervisor. All emergency vehicles
traveling to fires shall abide by
traffic lights and stop signs, unless escorted by police.
Consult the State vehicle code for further details on the
use of sirens and red or blue lights.
Trailer Towing
All drivers towing trailers must be properly qualified and authorized. Each
forest or unit must have personnel
qualified to train and to authorize drivers for towing
trailers.
Vehicles towing trailers must comply with Federal,
State, and regional requirements regarding size and
weight of towing vehicles. Do not exceed Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR), or the trailer weight rating.
See FSH 7109.19 to determine safe towing combinations.
To provide for breakdowns
on the road, all towing vehicles and trailers shall be equipped with flags
or
other suitable signal devices.
Trailer houses must be equipped with adequate
signal devices.
All trailers must have proper brakes and lights to
meet State and U.S. Department of Transportation
requirements.
All trailers must be equipped with adequate safety
chains.
Backing
The rearview mirror does not show the area immediately
behind the vehicle. It is essential that a driver look behind
the vehicle before backing or be guided by a helper
standing behind and to the side of the vehicle. The
following safety precautions also should be observed:
Close all vehicle doors.
Back slowly. Be sure there is sufficient clearance
when backing into garages or other narrow places.
Avoid long-distance backing.
Avoid backing downhill.
Turn the vehicle around on dead-end roads before
parking.
Parking
Use chock blocks or other blocking devices when
parking on a grade.
Always park well off the pavement or roadway.
If it is necessary to park on the road in an emergency,
be sure to place flags, signs with reflectors, or red
lights 200 feet in each direction from the vehicle.
Avoid leaving the motor running when a vehicle is
parked.
Do not park a vehicle over dry vegetation. Exhaust
system temperatures can ignite dry vegetation.
Winter Driving
Skillful driving is especially important under unfavorable
driving conditions. Adverse conditions, such as wet or
icy road surfaces, greatly lengthen stopping distances
and increase driving hazards. Always reduce speed
under such conditions.
Driving in hazardous weather demands special techniques.
How to avoid skids:
Keep speed well below dry-road speed.
Keep vehicle pulling steadily.
Make
no sudden changes in speed, gears, or
direction.
Avoid driving too fast on curves
Avoid applying the brakes too suddenly or
too
hard. Pump the brakes to slow down.
Avoid driving too fast for surface conditions.
How to get out of a skid. If the vehicle should start to
skid, the following procedures will help you recover:
Avoid braking. Slamming the brakes when a vehicle
is skidding locks the wheels and causes loss of
traction and steering.
Turn the front wheels in the direction of the slide.
As the car begins to straighten, straighten the
front wheels.
Avoid oversteering. Turning the steering wheel too
far whips the rear end into a skid in the opposite
direction.
Avoid lifting your foot from the accelerator suddenly.
Maintain power to driving wheels and slow down.
Use of Tire Chains
Tire chains provide the best traction on snow- or ice-covered roads. But
there are limits to the help they can
give. Even with chains, you cannot safely drive at dry-road
speeds on snow- or ice-covered surfaces. It will
take about twice as long to bring the vehicle to a stop on
ice or packed snow as on a dry road surface, so driving
speed should be cut in half. Tire chains are designed to
move on the tires and should be tightened only by hand.
Reduce speed when using chains to cut down on chain
wear and maintain maximum control over the vehicle.
Economic Operation
Fuel Consumption
Every operator of a Government vehicle should drive
as efficiently as possible to reduce fuel consumption.
Gasoline is wasted by:
Excessive speed.
Delayed shifting (at 20 mph, second gear uses 20
percent more gas than high gear).
Needless idling (long periods of idling may overheat
the engine and transmission; never leave the
vehicle with the engine running).
Incorrect tire pressures.
Slipping the clutch to hold the vehicle on
hills.
Incorrect wheel alignment.
Poor engine tuneup.
Hauling unnecessary loads.
Fast getaways at green lights.
Fast speedups and slowdowns.
Starting
Improper starting may damage the vehicle.
Do not crank the engine excessively. Continued
cranking of the engine discharges the battery rapidly
and may shorten its life. Do not keep the starter
engaged for longer than 10 to 15 seconds; you may
damage the starter. Disengage the clutch when using
the starter to reduce the load on the starting motor
and battery. If the engine fails to start after being
turned over several times, check the fuel supply and
ignition system for loose connections and short
circuits. The battery will not start the engine if the
engine is not getting fuel or spark.
Do not race a cold engine. Warm the
engine with the
throttle partly open. Start the vehicle moving as soon
as the engine runs smoothly. Drive slowly, avoid hard
pulls, and do not lug the engine. Continue driving at
reduced speed until the engine temperature gauge
reaches the normal position.
Transmissions
Automatic and standard transmissions are handled
differently. Old habits may interfere with proper driving
when changing from one kind of transmission to another.
The danger is even greater when changing from
automatic to standard transmission. Be sure new drivers
have driven vehicles with clutches and gearshift levers
before authorizing them to operate these vehicles.
Standard transmission. Do not “ride” the clutch.
Keep your foot off the clutch except when starting,
stopping, or shifting. Even a slight continued pressure
on the clutch pedal wears out the clutch facings
and release bearings. For the same reason, when
stopped on a hill, never slip the clutch to prevent the
vehicle from rolling back. Use the brakes instead.
Automatic transmission. When using a vehicle
with automatic transmission:
Understand the position of the selector
lever. Make
sure the lever is in the correct position for starting.
Shift to a lower
range when descending steep
grades.
Always slow the vehicle with the brakes before
shifting to low range on wet or slippery surfaces.
Use short strokes on the brakes. Shifting to low
range at high speed will cause the vehicle to skid
or swerve and could damage the transmission.
Hold your right foot on the
brake pedal during
traffic stops to prevent creeping.
Never coast in neutral.
Use your right foot on the brake pedal.
Always
have the car completely stopped before
moving the control into the park position.
Do not push or tow a vehicle
with automatic transmission
to start the engine. Newer vehicles are not
designed to start by pushing or towing. If an engine
fails to start because of a discharged battery, use
a booster battery and jumper cables to start it.
If it is necessary
to tow an automatic transmission vehicle a long distance for repair, tow
it with
only
the nonpowered wheels on the ground or, on vehicles with rear-wheel drive,
disconnect the drive shaft.
Place the selector lever in the neutral
position
when the vehicle is being towed.
Be sure to check the oil level in the transmission
according to the lubrication guide.
Select the proper Drive position.
Loading
Never drive a vehicle with an improperly distributed
or secured load. Study the State vehicle code
and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations
for safe loading and binding requirements. Vehicle
loading is outlined in FSH 7109.19, chapter 30.
Chapter 4 of this guide contains additional information
on loading.
Never drive an overloaded vehicle. Overloading
can reduce vehicle performance and cause structural
failures. It also may lead to increased maintenance
requirements. Load limits for each type of vehicle are
set by regulation and manufacturer’s recommendations
to comply with safety rules and maintenance
requirements. Limits are posted in the logbook or in
a conspicuous place in the vehicle. Do not exceed
these limits. Operators may be held liable for accidents
or equipment damage caused by overloading.
If a citation is issued, the driver is responsible.
Accident Reports
All accidents, property damage, and injury are to be
reported. A detailed report must be made when a
Government vehicle is involved in an accident with a
private vehicle or other private property, regardless of
how minor the damage may be. This report must be
forwarded through the proper channels to the regional
forester. The same report is required if only Government
property is involved. Comply with all laws of the State
in which the accident occurred.
When private property is involved, do not make any
commitments or sign or make any statements to anyone
other than the ranger, forest supervisor, or authorized
USDA Forest Service investigator.
Sometimes when private property is not involved and
damage to Government property is minor, accidents
can be handled by administrators at the local level.
However, the driver cannot make this decision.
Every accident, regardless of the extent of damage,
must be reported by the driver to the immediate supervisor,
who will decide what action to take. Form SF-91,
Operator’s Report of Motor Vehicle Accident, provided
in all Government vehicles, is used to report accidents.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is the systematic care, servicing,
and inspection of equipment to keep it in good
operating condition and to detect and correct mechanical
deficiencies.
The driver is the single most important factor in preventive
maintenance. Use equipment as it is intended to be
used. Perform daily and other scheduled services as
recommended by the manufacturer, region, and forest.
Operating conditions may require more frequent service.
Operation Checks
Before-Operation Check
Each operator shall ensure that the vehicle is in mechanically
safe condition by visually checking the following:
Tires—for inflation, cuts, breaks, and excessive or
uneven wear
Leaks—fuel, oil, water, transmission and axle lubricants
Crankcase
oil level—adequate
Coolant level in radiator—adequate
Lights and signal devices—operating
properly
All glass (including rear window and light lenses)—clean and
unbroken
Mirrors—properly adjusted, clean, and unbroken
Fuel supply—adequate
Horn—operational
Brakes—adjusted and functional
First aid kit, chains, and tire-changing
tools—available
and adequate
Steering—normal free play
Equipment logbook—up to date and
properly recorded
Battery—clean terminals and adequate water level
Windshield wipers—operational
and blades in good
condition; proper washer fluid
Body—dents or other damage
License plates—present on the
vehicle
During-Operation Check
Some vehicle defects can be detected only while the
vehicle is operating. An accident or serious damage
can be avoided by keeping constantly alert for signs of
defects, such as unusual noises or vibrations, and taking
immediate corrective action. Major items to check
include:
Foot and parking brakes for proper operation and
adjustment
Clutch for free-travel adjustment, slippage, and
chatter
Transmission for noise and proper shifting
Transfer case for proper gear selection, noise, and
proper shifting
Engine and controls for unusual noises, proper
response, exhaust system leakage or noises, and
visual checks for water, oil, and fuel leaks
All instruments for functioning within proper ranges
Steering gear for looseness, slack, wear, and pull to
the left or right
Differential for unusual noise in the power train
Body for loose components and rattles
After-Operation Check
This check is intended primarily to correct any deficiencies
found in the during-operation check. Report any
malfunctions or needed repairs to your work supervisor.
Where vehicles are on emergency use, the before-operation
check should be made at the end of a trip to ensure
that the vehicle is ready for emergency use.
Routine Maintenance
Lubrication
The responsibility of a driver does not end with the
proficient operation of the vehicle. The driver must
ensure that the vehicle is properly maintained and that
it is ready to go at all times.
Lubricating the vehicle at the proper intervals is one of
the most important preventive maintenance jobs. The
intervals for lubrication and oil changes for each vehicle
are established by regulation and the manufacturer’s
service standards.
The driver is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is
lubricated in accordance with manufacturer’s service
intervals, as well as regional and specific forest standards.
When operation involves abnormal conditions,
such as snow, water, and dust, more frequent lubrication
is required. Operators should check with their supervisors
when such circumstances arise.
Emergencies, such as fires and floods, are the only
acceptable reasons for extending lubrication intervals.
These emergencies should be noted in the maintenance
record, and the vehicle should be lubricated at the
earliest possible opportunity.
When the vehicle is lubricated commercially, the driver
must make a spot check of the finished job to see that
it was done correctly and that the billing is accurate.
When a unit is provided with a reminder card or plate,
the driver is to post due dates of required services. The
driver is also responsible for maintaining a record of this
service using form FS 7100-2, Equipment Maintenance
Record.
Inspections
Inspections determine maintenance needs and compliance
with standards. They also identify appropriate
times to take action for maximum efficiency, safety, and
economy. Three kinds of inspections are necessary for
satisfactory results: daily, monthly, and mechanical. The
equipment operator performs the first two inspections
and a qualified mechanic performs the third inspection.
Daily inspection. Drivers or operators are responsible
for performance of the daily inspections as
outlined in this guide.
Monthly inspection. The driver, operator, or
individual assigned responsibility for the vehicle/equipment
is responsible for the monthly inspection, which
is performed and recorded using form FS 7100-9,
Driver’s Safety and Preventive Maintenance
Inspection.
Mechanical inspection. All fleet equipment owned
or leased by the USDA Forest Service shall receive
a periodic safety inspection performed by a journeyman-level mechanic. In
the absence of other State
requirements, minimum frequency is once every
year. Regions, stations, or forests, may require more
frequent inspections. Drivers-operators are responsible
for seeing that mechanical inspections are
performed on time.
Batteries
For extended battery life and safety, observe the following
guidelines:
Proper care of batteries. Batteries require attention
to give satisfactory service.
Check and maintain the proper electrolyte
or water
level. Do this every 2 weeks—every week during periods of high temperatures
or continuous heavy
battery use. Do not overfill. (This does not apply
to maintenance-free batteries.)
Keep the battery tight in the carrier
case and terminals clean at all times. Baking soda may be
used to remove corrosion around terminals.
Keep batteries charged at all times.
Never
use the starter for more than 10 seconds at a time. Allow the battery to
rest between starts
after extended use of the starter motor.
Prevent batteries from freezing
by keeping them charged when they are not being used.
Store batteries
on wood; never store them on a concrete floor.
Keep batteries cool.
When
a battery has been discharged, recharge it
according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Use of booster batteries. Booster starting of a
battery can be dangerous. When the water level is
low, there is extra space for hydrogen gas to be
trapped. The slightest spark can cause an explosion.
Always use batteries of equal voltage and follow
these safety steps:
When using jumper cables, remove cell caps from
both batteries. Leave them off during the process
to let hydrogen gas vent.
Connect one cable to ungrounded terminal of the
weak battery.
Keep the other end of the cable from touching
either vehicle until it is connected to the terminal of
the same polarity on the stronger battery. (Positive
to positive or negative to negative.)
Connect second cable to other terminal of stronger
battery.
Important final step: Connect remaining cable to
vehicle frame or starter ground below the level of
the weak battery. This reduces the risk that sparks
might cause an explosion.
Tires
Care and maintenance. Check tires for proper
inflation at least once a week. Check tires of vehicles hauling heavy loads
and on long hauls daily and
adjust inflation if necessary.
Recommended pressures are shown on tire sidewalls.
Adjust tire pressure the first thing in the
morning or when the tires are cold. Do not, under
any circumstances, remove air from tires after
sustained running or when the tires are warm.
Overloading tires greatly shortens their life; avoid
it.
Inspect tires visually during the preventive inspection
and take steps to correct anything that causes
unusual wear. Some examples of improper wear
and their causes include:
Improper Wear and Probable Cause
Type of wear
Probable cause
Small, flat spots every
few inches
Wobbly wheels or loose wheel
bearings
Excessive wear on
edges of tread
Underinflation
Excessive wear on
center of tread
Overinflation
Excessive wear on
one edge of tread
Too much camber or caster;
sprung axle
Two flat spots
diametrically opposite
Eccentric brake drums
Excessive wear on
one tire
Dragging or sizing brake
Feather edge or sharp
corner on either edge
of front tires
Too much toe in or toe out; bent
tie rod
Rotating tires every 4,000 miles can extend tire life
by as much as 20 percent. Include spare tires in
the rotation cycle.
Recapping. Under no circumstances should tires
be worn beyond the point of recapping, that is, to the
wear bar strip. Tires that are worn down to a faint
tread line should be inspected in shops by qualified
personnel and recapped for further use.
Washing, Cleaning, and Polishing
Intervals for washing and cleaning will be determined by
the conditions under which the vehicle is operated. A
good mechanical or safety inspection cannot be made if
the vehicle is dirty. Operators should clean their vehicles
before each preventive inspection and as often between
inspections as necessary to have the vehicle reflect
credit on the USDA Forest Service by its appearance.
Steam cleaning and pressure washing should be done
by qualified mechanics. Polishing is optional. Polish
reduces the frequency of need for cleaning and lessens
paint oxidation.
Vehicles Equipped With Radios
Vehicles equipped with two-way radios and radio telephones
require special care.
Radios must be installed by qualified radio technicians.
Keep the batteries filled and clean in vehicles
equipped with radios.
Keep the generator and alternator, alternator belt,
and regulator in good condition.
Start the vehicle and keep the battery charged
when using the radio for extended periods of time.
Continued heavy use of the radio rapidly discharges
the battery.
Turn off two-way radios when near a blasting area
or construction job.
Emission-Control Equipment
The emission-control equipment installed by the vehicle
manufacturer to meet Federal and State requirements
must be maintained properly. The operator is responsible
for making sure such items as air pumps, PCV valves
and tubing, distributor advance and retarding mechanisms,
and other related components are checked by
a mechanic when the vehicle is serviced. There is no
acceptable reason for removing or tampering with any
emission control equipment.
Maintenance Records
Equipment Logbook
This logbook contains certain records that are pertinent
to the operation and maintenance of the equipment.
Some of these records may be optional in some regions
and stations. Equipment logbooks should contain use
records, service records, operator safety and preventive
maintenance inspections, and equipment identification.
Operator's Preventive Maintenance
Check
Performance of this check is the direct responsibility of
the driver or operator. While forest supervisors may
permit delegation of this operator check, the responsibility
for seeing that it is done correctly and that malfunctions
are corrected rests with the operator.
Normally, inspections will be made once each month
when the equipment is being used. Retain a copy of
the last inspection in the equipment logbook. Use the
regional form for this inspection. The driver must initial
and enter the inspection in column 9 of the unit service
record. Note the correction of any deficiencies on this
form.
Long-Term Storage Standards
Before Storage
Clean the engine thoroughly and wash the unit.
Lubricate.
Fill the fuel tank.
Drain the crankcase and refill it with new oil.
Check the cooling system antifreeze for the lowest
expected temperature; add additional antifreeze as
needed. Check all hoses and hose connections. If
the cooling system is to be drained, be sure that the
radiator, engine block, water pump, and heater are
drained completely. Tie a warning tag marked Cooling
System Drained to the steering wheel.
Remove the air cleaner, start the engine, run it at
a fast idle, and pour a half pint of oil through the
carburetor air intake until the engine stops.
Clean, replace, and tighten the air cleaner.
Remove the battery. Clean and store it on a wooden
base in a dry, frostproof place. Clean the cable
terminals and battery carrier with a soda solution,
and rinse them with clean water.
Block up the axles to take the weight off pneumatic
tires.
During Storage
Leave air vents in the open position.
Leave the door window open about ½ inch.
Store under cover if possible.
Commercial Repairs
When commercial repairs are required, coordinate
repairs with local or forest fleet manager.
Before authorizing any major repairs, check with the
nearest USDA Forest Service shop or forest fleet
manager for permission to make the repairs.
Describe the work to be performed when known
beforehand, or describe the nature of mechanical
deficiencies. Avoid vague orders, such as "Fix it up," which
leave the job entirely to the discretion of the party performing the work.
Inspect the work performed for satisfactory quality
and to determine whether corrections are needed.
Test the vehicle, when applicable, to ensure that the
deficiency has been corrected.
Satisfy yourself that the cost of the work performed
is reasonable. If the work is unsatisfactory, have the
garage do it again and stand behind its work. Do
not pay two or more repair shops for the same job.
Avoid unreliable repair shops.
USDA Forest Service, Technology and Development Last Modified: 10/15/2016 23:43:27
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