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Go Cart Instructions & Safety
By
Brannon Smith
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After receiving your go cart,
ensuring its proper assembly, and completing the warranty
process with the manufacturer, here are some important
safety tips to help ensure a safe and fun go cart
experience!
1. Rules of Operation
A go cart vehicle is not licensable. IT IS NOT TO BE
OPERATED ON ANY PUBLIC ROAD , STREET, HIGHWAY, PARKING
LOT, SIDEWALK, OR ALLEY.
To do so would be in violation of local law. This vehicle
may be operated only on private property and upon areas
approved by local law. Avoid operating a go cart in any
area with stationary objects that the vehicle could travel
under. Do not ride in areas where other recreational
vehicles are being operated. Be respectful of landowners
and the environment.
2. Always perform a Pre-Ride Inspection
WARNING - Perform this pre-ride inspection prior to
operating the vehicle. If not performed, serious damage to
the vehicle or personal injury may result.
1. ENGINE OIL LEVEL - Add oil if required. Check for
leaks. Tighten filler cap securely.
2. FUEL LEVEL - Add fuel as necessary. Do not overfill (no
fuel in the filler neck). Replace cap tightly. Check for
leaks. Do not mix oil with gas.
WARNING - Do not refill a go cart engine while it is hot.
It is possible for spilled fuel to ignite resulting in a
fire. Do not fill gas tank in a closed area such as a
garage. After filling the tank move the vehicle at least
15 feet away from spot of filling before starting.
3. BRAKES - PERFORM A BRAKE TEST: Have the operator sit in
the seat, then push the vehicle from behind. Once the
vehicle is rolling, have the operator apply the brake
pedal. The vehicle should come to a stop. WARNING- Do not
operate a go cart unless the brake is working properly.
NOTE : Band brake systems typically require a short
break-in period to operate at full efficiency. Some wear
on the lining of the brake pads will increase the
coefficient of friction and improve their effectiveness.
That can be accomplished by making a series of gentle
stops. Hard usage of the brakes without a break-in period
can result in shortened brake pad life and decrease
braking ability.
4. TIRES - Check condition and pressure.
5. DRIVE CHAIN - Check condition, tension, lubricate as
necessary.
6. THROTTLE - CHECK FOR SMOOTH OPERATION. Assure throttle
"snaps" back to idle. Also, check for frayed
cable or damaged cable conduit. If either condition exists
replace the cable assembly before riding.
7. TOGGLE KILL SWITCH - PERFORM THIS TEST (only for go
cart models without electric starter): While the engine is
running, move the toggle kill switch on the steering
column to the "OFF" position. If this does not
stop the engine, check to ensure that the toggle kill
switch wire is attached to the terminal on the engine.
WARNING- DO NOT OPERATE A GO CART WITH A TOGGLE KILL
SWITCH THAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
8. ALL NUTS, BOLTS, AND FASTENERS - Check wheels to see
that all axle nuts and lug nuts are tightened properly.
Check and tighten all other fasteners as necessary.
9. GUARDS - Ensure all protective guards are in place.
NEVER OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT ALL CHAIN, CLUTCH, OR
DRIVE ASSEMBLY COVER GUARDS IN PLACE . Each of these
covers have a protective purpose, if removed, could
endanger the personal safety of the go cart operator or
passenger (if any).
10. STEERING SYSTEM - Ensure that the go cart turns
freely.
CORRECT any discrepancies according to your go cart
Owner's Manual before riding. If a problem cannot be
corrected, contact an authorized dealer/retailer for
assistance.
3. Always use proper Safety Equipment
The operator and passenger (if any) of any go cart should
always wear a helmet approved by agencies such as the
Department of Transportation (DOT), Safety Helmet Council
of America (SHCA), or Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL).
Most off-road vehicle accident fatalities are due to head
injuries. The operator should also wear face shields or
goggles, boots or closed-toe shoes, gloves, and other
appropriate protective clothing.
LOOSE CLOTHING, LONG HAIR, OR ARTICLES WORN BY ANY
OPERATOR OR PASSENGER MUST BE FULLY CONTAINED, OR COVERED
TO PREVENT THEM FROM POSSIBLY BEING CAUGHT IN ROTATING
PARTS OF THE VEHICLE OR THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT WHILE
RIDING. FAILURE TO OBEY COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY
OF THE OPERATOR OR PASSENGER.
4. Driving Safety Tips
Every go cart operator and adult supervising children
riding a go cart should be familiar with the operation and
maneuverability of go carts. Again, always read the
Owner's Manual specific to your go cart. Below are more
tips compliments of Carter Brother to help educate you on
the safety aspect of driving a go cart.
STARTING THE ENGINE
NOTE : Do not attempt to start or operate this machine
without being completely familiar with all controls
necessary to operate this vehicle safely. Do not start the
engine before reading and understanding all the rules,
warnings, and instructions in this manual, as well as the
engine owner's manual. We strongly recommend that all
supervisors, operators and passengers veiw the safety
video prior to operation.
DRIVING SAFETY TIPS
TURNING MANEUVERS
A new operator must learn to shift his or her weight and
control the throttle to allow the rear tires to negotiate
the turn. This is the primary technique to be mastered in
riding this vehicle. Practice turning at slow, constant
speeds. Defer increased speeds until you are confident of
your proficiency and are intimately familiar with the
terrain.
Steer in the direction of the turn, and lean your body to
the inside of the turn in order to maximize front tire
traction. Use the throttle to maintain power throughout
the turn.
Once this technique is learned, turning maneuvers can be
performed within a relatively small area.
Incorrect turning techniques may cause the front wheels to
slide straight ahead without affecting the vehicle's
direction of travel. If this should occur, come to a stop,
then resume the technique outlined above.
If the front wheels tend to skid in mud, sand, or snow,
you may be able to improve control by releasing the
throttle and allowing the vehicle to coast through the
turn.
If the rear wheels inadvertently skid sideways, correct
your slide by steering in the direction of the skid, if
you have room to perform this maneuver safely. Avoid
braking or accelerating until you have control.
To avoid skids while traveling on slippery terrain, the
operator must exercise a high degree of caution. Turning
maneuvers on slippery terrain are more hazardous than
those performed under full traction and must be done
slowly.
Surface composition is a major factor affecting skidding.
It is easier to slide on packed snow than in deep sand. It
is dangerous to skid on ice, because you may lose all
directional control, and it is dangerous to skid on
pavement, because you may regain traction suddenly and
unexpectedly, which can cause the vehicle to overturn.
CLIMBING HILLS
Practice climbing on evenly surfaced slopes of less than
20 degrees. The vehicle's capability in climbing hills or
traversing any specific terrain is dependent upon operator
skill and vehicle load.
As you gain experience in handling this vehicle, and learn
the hazards to be encountered and your own limitations you
may then proceed to drive more challenging terrain.
However, you must first be able to discern and avoid any
hill or hazard that would cause this vehicle to overturn.
Take a running start, at the appropriate speed for the
ascent, and climb at a steady rate of speed.
WARNING - Do not apply power suddenly by opening the
throttle while ascending a hill or the front wheels may
rise from the ground. If the front wheels lift, the
operator's control will be lessened and the vehicle may
overturn backwards.
If you should find that you have incorrectly estimated
climbing capability and lack the power or traction to
continue the ascent, if space permits, turn the vehicle
around while you still have the forward speed to do so and
descend. Avoid stalling part way up a hill, as maneuvering
will then become more difficult.
CAUTION - Before attempting a turn on a hillside, the
operator should first master turning technique on level
ground.
If you do lose all forward speed, and can neither continue
uphill nor maneuver the vehicle under its own power, turn
off the engine, dismount, and physically turn the machine
around.
CAUTION - To avoid overturning, the operator must exercise
a high degree of caution when dismounting or moving this
vehicle on a hillside.
DESCENDING HILLS
It is usually advisable to descend hills with the vehicle
pointed directly downhill, avoiding angles that would
cause the vehicle to lean sharply to one side. As you
approach the point of descent, stop and survey the terrain
below. Never drive headlong past your limit of visibility.
When you have picked a safe path of descent, descend
slowly with the throttle closed. Sit back on the seat,
with arms extended and braced on the steering wheel.
When descending it is recommended that the operator apply
the brakes intermittently to further reduce forward speed.
Braking effectiveness is reduced while descending any
incline with a loose surface.
RIDING THROUGH WATER
Do not cross any stream with fast flowing water. The tires
may float, making it difficult to maintain control. Do not
drive the vehicle through water for prolonged periods.
The vehicle can cross water to a depth of approximately
4-6 inches, although the operator must be careful to avoid
getting the spark plug or air cleaner wet.
When crossing shallow streams, choose a course where both
banks have gradual inclines. Proceed at a slow, steady
speed, and take care to avoid submerged obstacles and
slippery rocks.
If loss of forward motion or pulling power is noticed when
driving through water, it indicates the torque converter
belt has become wet. When this occurs, the operator should
immediately head toward shore at minimum throttle required
to maintain motion.
Once on shore, the torque converter belt will dry quickly
if operator will sit for a few moments with the engine
idling.
After driving through water, the brakes may be less
effective than normal. Test the brakes after traveling
through any water, and if necessary, apply the brakes
repeatedly until the heat of friction has dried them and
the brakes retain their normal effectiveness.
WARNING - Do not operate vehicle at high speeds until
brakes are dry and effective.
5. Additional Kid Safety Tips
* Ensure child is competent and physically capable of
operating the go cart.
* Set clear boundaries in which the go cart is to be
ridden.
* Always provide close adult supervision and never leave
children alone, even for a minute while a go cart is being
used.
* We suggest purchasing one of our child go cart models
that come equipped with a training tether that allows an
adult the opportunity to shut off the engine if needed.
Following these and your go cart manufacturer's Operating
Manual will help you to maintain your go cart's
performance and your safety. You're on your way to fun!
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