Thwaites Quick Start Guide

🅿️

1. Before Starting

• Park on firm, level ground. Walk around the machine.
• Sit correctly and fasten your seatbelt (ROPS machine). You must be seated to start.
• Put the direction lever (FNR) in Neutral.

📌 Do not inspect fluids, remove covers, or adjust settings. If something looks unusual, do not start - contact us.

🎛️

2. Controls You Need to Know

• Steering wheel - steers the machine (it bends in the middle). Clockwise = right, anti-clockwise = left.
• FNR lever - Forward / Neutral / Reverse. Always stop before changing direction.
• Throttle pedal - press to speed up; release fully to slow and stop (the parking brake applies automatically after 2.5 seconds).
• Tip lever - tips the skip to discharge.
• Raise lever (Hi-Tip) - raises the skip before tipping.
• Seatbelt, horn and emergency stop.

📌 All other controls and settings are factory set and must not be changed.

🔑

3. Starting

• Be seated with FNR in Neutral.
• Turn the key to start; let the panel lights self-test and go out. Do not select a direction until the self-test has finished.
• Cold weather: use the heater/glow position first, then start.
• Crank for a maximum of 15 seconds. If it does not start, return the key to O and wait 30 seconds before trying again. It cannot be tow- or bump-started.
• After starting, wait about 3 seconds for the brakes to release before selecting a direction.

📌 Stop and inform us if a warning light stays on or the engine sounds abnormal.

🚧

4. Operating

• Both hands on the wheel. Select Forward or Reverse only when stopped.
• Never exceed the 1-tonne rated load. Reduce the load if the material is not free-flowing.
• Do not load the skip with the lift arms raised.
• Keep the skip lowered while travelling; keep loads low for forward visibility.
• Travel smoothly and slowly.

🔰

5. New Operator Guidance

• Start forward on level ground. Get used to the articulated steering (it responds quickly). Use one control at a time.

⚠️

6. Tipping Safely

• Tip only on firm, level ground.
• Select Neutral before raising or tipping the skip (this stops the machine creeping).
• Use stop-boards or a support wall when tipping at a trench or edge.
• Hi-Tip: check overhead clearance before raising.
• Never tip if the load is sticking in the skip.

⛰️

7. Travelling & Slopes (Prevents Overturning)

• Keep the skip down; travel slowly.
• On slopes, travel straight up or down - never turn across a slope.
• Never raise or tip the skip on a slope.
• Do not freewheel downhill in neutral.

🛑

8. What to Watch Out For (Stop & Inform Us)

• Any warning light. Brakes not holding or steering wandering.
• Skip or lift not raising/lowering smoothly. Leaks, unusual vibrations or burning smells.
• Any contact with kerbs, manholes, walls, services or structures.

📌 Do not continue operating to 'finish the job'.

📌 Refuelling: engine off, key removed. No smoking or naked flames. Clean spills before restarting.

🏁

9. Stopping

• Empty the skip and lower it fully. Park on firm, level ground; select Neutral.
• Stop the engine and remove the key; turn the battery isolator off. Chock the wheels on any slope.

📌 Never leave the machine running unattended. Never carry passengers.