Kawasaki Brute Force (Owners Manual) Riding

8/6/2019 Kawasaki Brute Force (Owners Manual) Riding

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70 HOW TO RIDEHOW TO RIDE

Daily Safety ChecksCheck the following items each day before youride. The time required is minimal, and habitual per-formance of these checks will help ensure you asafe, reliable ride.If any irregularities are found during these checks,refer to the MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTchapter, see your dealer, or refer to the Service Man-ual for the action required to return the vehicle to asafe operating condition.

A . WARNINGHAZARDFailure to inspect the ATV before operating.Failure to properly maintain the ATV.WHAT CAN HAPPENIncreases the possibility of an accident orequipment damage.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDAlways inspect your ATV each time you useit to make sure the ATV is in safe operatingcondition.Always follow the inspection and mainte-nance procedures and schedules describedin the Owner's Manual.

A . WARNINGHAZARDExhaust gases are poisonous.WHAT CAN HAPPENBreathing exhaust gas leads to carbonmonoxide poisoning, asphyxiation, anddeath.HOW TOAVOID THE HAZARDDo not start or run the engine in a closedarea such as a garage. Exhaust gases con-tain carbon monoxide; a colorless, odorless,poisonous gas.


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Fuel .Engine Oil .Coolant .Tires .

Air Cleaner Element .Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners .Steering

Brakes ..

Throttle .Front and/or Rear Final Gear CasesLights .Engine Stop Switch .Protective Clothing ..

HOW TO RIDE 71Enough fuel in tank, no leaks.Oil level between "H" (High) and "L" (Low) lines, no leaks.Coolant level between level lines (when engine is cold), no leaks.Air Pressure (when cold):Front: 35 kPa (0.35 kgf/cm2, 5 psi)Rear: 35 kPa (0.35 kqf/cm", 5 psi)Check for cuts, cracks, damage, or excessive wear.Check for any imbedded stones or other foreign particles in tread.Check for dirt; clean or replace as required.

Check that steering and suspension components, axles, and all controlsare properly fastened.Action smooth but not loose from lock to lock.Control cables must not bind.Check for braking effectiveness (while test running).Brake pedal free play 15 - 25 mm (0.6 - 1.0 in.).Rear brake lever free play 1 - 2 mm (0.04 - 0.08 in.).No front brake fluid leakage.Parking brake: Stops vehicle completely.Throttle lever free play 2 - 3 mm (0.08 - 0.12 in.).Throttle lever snaps back to idle position when released.No oil leaks.Headlight and taill ighUbrake light work.Stops engine.The operator must wear a helmet and eye protection plus suitable pro-tective clothing, such as boots, gloves, long trousers, and a long-sleevedshirt or jacket.


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72 HOW TO RIDE

Starting the Engine

HAZARDRunning the engine without ventilation ..WHAT CAN HAPPENBreathing exhaust gas leads to carbonmonoxide poisoning, asphyxiation, anddeath. Exhaust gases contain carbonmonoxide; acolorless, odorless, poisonousgas.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDDo not start or run the engine in a closed areasuch asa garage.

Check that the engine stop switch is in the "RUN:"position. Turn the ignition key to "ON". Apply the parking brake. Put the shift lever in the "NO'(Neutral) position. Theneutral indicator light should be lit.

NOTEo If the front or rear brake is applied, it is possible tostart in any shift position. When the engine is cold (same as outside temper-ature), pull the choke lever all the way to the left.Keep the throttle completely closed.

NOTEoDo not leave the choke lever pulled to the leftlonger than necessary or the spark plugs may foul.When the engine is already warm or the weatheris hot (35C, 95F or more) , do not use the choke.Leave the throttle closed.

Push the starter button or vigorously pull the recoilstarter handle all the way up. Repeat until theengine starts.CAUTION

Do not operate the electric starter continu-ously for more than 5 seconds. The starterwill overheat and the battery power will droptemporarily ..Wait 15 seconds between eachoperation of the starter to let it cool and thebattery power recover.Do not let the engine idle longer than fiveminutes or engine overheating and damagemay occur.

NOTEo If the engine is flooded, push the choke lever allthe way to the right. Then crank the engine overwith the throttle fully open until the engine starts.Close the throttle immediately.o If the starter does not tum, the battery wifl be al-most fully discharged. It is possible to start withthe recoil starter.o Using the recoil starter with the battery discon-nected will cause the belt failure detection system


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to ectivete. Once activated it must be reset by aKawasaki deafer

HOW TO RIDE. 73

Moving Off Move the shift lever into the "H" (High) or "L " (Low)position. Release the parking brake. Gradually increase eng.ine speed by pushing thethrottle lever forward.

NOTEOPractice starting and stopping (using the brakes)unti l you are familiar with the controls.


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74 HOW TO RIDE

Shifting Gears Stop the vehicle completely. Mo~e the shift lever into the "H" (High) or "L" (Low)position. If you intend to operate the vehicle in reversef!1ove the shift lever into the "R" (Reverse) posi~tion. Refer to the "Riding in Reverse" section inthe SAFE OPERATION chapter.

Gradually increase engine speed by pushing for-ward on the throttle lever.CAUTION

Shifting to high or low range when the vehi-cle is in motion could cause engine damage.Do not shift from "H" (High) or "L" (Low)to "R" (Reverse) and vice versa when thev~hicle is '!l0_ving or with the engine run-mng above Idhng speed, or the transmissioncould be damaged.

CAUTIONUse of the high range for heavy loads climb-ing hills, pulling a trailer, and strstalned low-speed riding can lead to premature wear ofthe torque converter belt and pulleys. Usethe low range for these condition.

A WARNINGHAZARDShifting into "H" (High) or "L" (Low) or "R"(Reverse) while moving.WHAT CAN HAPPENShi.fting the transmission while the vehi.cle ismoving can cause abrupt changes in speedand direction resulting in loss of controland accident with severe personal injury ordeath.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDDo not shift the transmission while the vehi-cle is moving. Stop the vehicle to shift thetransmission.


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2WDJ4WD Shifting Stop the vehicle completely. Press the selectable 2WD/4WD shift switch up ordown. NOTE

o The current operating condition is indicated with2WO!4WO indicator lights. After shifting there is atime lag before the indicator lights change. Referto the "Multifunction Meter" section in the "GeneralInformation" chapter.oWhen the shift switch is moved from "4WD" to"2WO" and vice versa, the transmission shiftswhen the vehicle has rofled a short distance.Drive off slowly to aflow "4 W O " to engage ordisengage. As it engages, the indicator fights wiflchange from "2Wo" to "4Wo" and vice versa.

o It is normal to hear a small clanking noise when"4WD" engages or disengages while ro//ing onhard surfaces, such as hard-packed dirt.

HOW TO RIDE 75A WARNING

HAZARDChanging from "2WO" to "4WO" or from"4WD" to "2WO" while the ATV is moving ..WHAT CAN HAPPENThe handling characteristics of this ATV dif-fer between "2WO" and "4WO" accordlnq toriding conditions. Changing operating modewhUe moving can cause a sudden change inhandling performance which can cause theoperator to lose control and have an acci-dent.

HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDAlways stop the ATV before changing from".2WO" to "4WD" or vice versa ..

CAUTIONShifting from "2WO" to "4WO" (or "4WO" to".2WD") when the vehicle is in motion couldcause front drive train damage.


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76 HOW TO RIDE

A. 2WO/4WO Shift SwitchB. "2WO" PositionC. "4WO" Position

Variable Limited Slip Front DifferentialA WARNING

HAZARDIncreasing limited slip differential (LSD) trac-tion while turning or before entering a turn.WHAT CAN HAPPENPulling the front differential control lever canreduce steering response, increasing the ef-fort to turn. An unexpected change in direc-tion can cause the operator to lose control,resulting in an accident and injury.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDDo not pull the front differential control leverwhile turning or before entering a turn.


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J IL.._ JB 1080018 G

A. Variable Front Differential Control LeverB. Rear Brake Lever

Stop the vehicle completely Shift the selectable 2WD/4WD shift switch to"4WD". Pull the variable front differential control lever allthe way to the hand grip. Hold the handlebar securely. After crossing the obstacle, release the differentialcontrol lever.

NOTEo By pulling the differential control lever, drivingforce to both front wheels is equalized therebyincreasing traction. The differential control iseffective only when "4WO" is engaged.

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Braking Close the throttle completely. Under most conditions stop by pulling in the frontbrake lever and pressing down the rear brakepedal. To stop while riding in reverse, close the throttleand gradually apply the brakes. Sudden applica-tion of the rear brake or the front brake (when in"4WD") can cause the front end of the vehicle tolift off the ground.This ATV is equipped with electrically selectable2WD/4WD. When driving in "4WD", all wheels (front

and rear) are constantly driven by the drive train.This means that applying either the front brake (theright-hand brake lever) or the rear brake (the left-hand brake lever or the brake pedal) brakes boththe front and rear wheels. Any brake applicationwill brake the downhill wheels when climbing or de-scending hills. So, avoid sudden application of ei-ther the front or rear brakes Apply both front andrear brakes gradually. Refer to the "Climbing' Hills" and "DescendingHills" sections in the SAFE OPERATION chapterfor the braking and riding techniques you mustuse when climbing and descending hills


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78 HOW TO RIDE

BJ2Z00IB G

This vehicle is equipped with the Kawasaki EngineBrake Control System. It can assist the operatorwhen descending hills by supplementing the wheelbrake systems with additional braking force that isproduced by the engine. When descending hills,this system alone may not supply enough brakingforce. The operator should apply the brakes to keepspeed safe for the terrain. visibility, operating condi-tions, and experience. The Kawasaki Engine BrakeControl System is applied automatically under cer-tain conditions when the throttle is released.NOTEo This system does not function in reverse. It cannotfunction if the battery is disconnected.

(For "4WD").A WARNING

HAZARDStalling, rolling backwards or improperly dis-mounting while climbing a hill.WHAT CAN HAPPENCould result in ATVoverturning.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDUse low gearing and maintain steady speedwhen climbing a hill.If you lose all forward speed:Keep weight uphill.Apply the brakes.Lock parking brake, after you are stopped.

If you begin rolling backwards:Keep weight uphill.Never apply either front or rear brakessuddenly while rolling backwards.

Apply both front and rear brakes gradually.When fully stopped, lock parking brake.

Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointedstraight uphill.Turn the ATV around and remount, followingthe procedure described in the Safe Opera-tion chapter.


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(For "2WDIt)j\WARNING

HAZARDStalling, rolling backwards or improperly dis-mounting while climbing a hill.WHAT CAN HAPPENCould result in ATV overturning.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDUse low gearing and maintain steady speedwhen climbing a hill.If you lose all forward speed:Keep weight uphill.Apply the brakes.Lock parking brake, after you are stopped.

If you begin rolling backwards:Keep weight uphill.Never apply the rear brake while rollingbackwards.

Apply the front brake.When fully stopped, apply rear brake as well,and then lock parking brake.

Dismount on uphill side orto a side if pointedstraight uphill.Turn the ATV around and remount, followingthe procedure described in the Safe Opera-tion chapter.

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Stopping the Engine Close the throttle completely. Put the shift lever in the "N"(Neutral) position. Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehiclefrom rolling. Turn the ignition key to "OFF'.


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80 HOW TO RIDE

Parking the ATV Stop the vehicle on a level surface.

A WARNINGHAZARDParking on a steep incline.WHAT CAN HAPPENMay result in the vehicle overturning orrolling down the hill and causing an acci-dent.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDDo not park on steep inclines. If you mustpark on a hill, place the vehicle diagonallyso that it never faces uphill, downhill or side-ways. Set the parking brake securely.

When the engine has stopped, apply the parkingbrake to help prevent the vehicle from rolling. Remove the ignition key to prevent unauthorizeduse.CAUTION

The brake light goes on whenever you applythe parking brake. If you leave the brake lighton for a long time, the battery may becometotally discharged. Whenever you leave thevehicle, turn off the ignition key.

If parking inside a garage or other structure, bes ure it is w ell v en tila te d a nd th e v eh ic le is no t c loseto any source of flame or sparks; this includes anyappliance with a pilot light.

- . 4 . WARNING .'HAZARDParking near an appliance with a pilot light.Parking in a structure without ventilation.WHAT CAN HAPPENGasoline is extremely flammable and can beexplosive under certain conditions.A fire or explosion can cause severe injuryor death.HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARDPark the vehicle in awell ventilated area awayfrom any source of flame or sparks. This in-cludes any appliance with a pilot light.


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HOW TO RID:E 81

Stopping the ATV in an EmergencyYour Kawasaki vehicle has been designed andmanufactured to provide you optimum safety andconvenience. However, in order to fully benefit fromKawasaki's safety engineering and craftsmanship, itis essential that you, the owner and operator, prop-erly maintain your vehicle and become thoroughlyfamiliar with its operation. Improper maintenancecan create a dangerous situation known as throttlefailure. Two of the most common causes of throttlefailure are:

1. An improperly serviced or clogged air cleanermay allow dirt and dust to enter the carburetorand stick the throttle open.2. During removal of the air cleaner, dirt is allowedto enter and jam the carburetor.

In an emergency situation such as throttle failure,your vehicle may be stopped by applying the brakesand shifting the engine stop switch to the "OFF" po-sition. If the enpine stop switc'h is used, turn off theignition switch after stopping the vehicle.


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82 HOW TO RIDE

WARNINGS indicate a potential hazard that could result in personal injury or death.

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Kawasaki Brute Force (Owners Manual) Riding