Centaur 2008 centaur User manual

OPERATOR’S

MANUAL

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited

220 Bergey Court

New Hamburg, Ontario N3A 2J5

Telephone: (519) 662-2840, Fax: (519) 662-2421

www.centaur8x8.ca

Do not remove this

manual from this vehicle.

MANUAL NO. 671-102 Printed in Canada 2008/12/04

A MESSAGE FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT YOUR CENTAUR

Thank you for selecting a CENTAUR off-road utility vehicle!

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited has been building off road vehicles since 1967. By listening carefully to

our customers and responding to their needs, we have been constantly improving them and will continue

to do so.

Over thirty thousand vehicles have provided reliable service all over the world. From Britain to the Far

East, Alaska to the Antarctic, and from the tropical forests of South America to the deserts of Saudi Arabia.

We are proud to provide you with a vehicle that represents the ultimate in all-terrain transportation.

Your safety and the safety of all CENTAUR users is of the greatest concern to us. You will nd numerous

safety statements in this manual. Please read and follow them carefully. Always be safety conscious when

you operate your CENTAUR and remember it is a motorized vehicle.

The CENTAUR is easy to drive and you will soon be tempted to take on new challenges. Please take the

time to develop your driving skills before doing so. Observe the recommendations outlined in this Opera-

tor’s Manual and remember; some things are just impossible, even with a CENTAUR.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD WIDE CENTAUR FAMILY!

Centaur Service Manual

Ontario Drive & Gear has a service manual which provides the Centaur owner

with step-by-step instructions on how to perform full service procedures on

your vehicle. Everything from removal and replacement of brake pads to re-

building the transmission. It’s all there. Removal and replacement of engines

is included, however, engine overhaul is not. A separate overhaul manual is

available for each engine from your Centaur dealer. Order the service manual

on CD-ROM from your dealer.

Read this manual before you operate your CENTAUR. It contains safe operating instructions

and warns the user about potential hazards that can result in personal injury.

Warnings are identied in the text by the following symbol:

Warning text warns the user about potential hazards that can result in personal injury or death.

Cautions are identied in the text by the following symbol:

Caution text contains cautions that can prevent damage to the vehicle.

This manual is based on the latest product information available at the time of printing. Ontario

Drive & Gear Limited reserves the right to make changes at any time and without obligation.

Reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without prior written permission.

PREFACE

This manual describes the controls, operation and basic maintenance procedures for all CENTAUR vehicles. Please take the

time to read this manual carefully, for your safety and that of others. By following these instructions, you will ensure extended,

trouble free operation of your vehicle.

For maintenance and adjustment of the engine, refer to the engine manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manual included

in your vehicle’s information package.

Before you drive your CENTAUR, make sure you understand how to use all controls, particularly the brakes and steering system.

Learn how to drive your vehicle in an open level area, away from buildings, trees and other obstacles, until you are completely

familiar with its operating characteristics. Drive very slowly until your driving skills improve, and drive with caution and

consideration at all times. The risk of accident or injury is greatest during the rst weeks of use. Take special care during this

period. ALWAYS RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.

CAUTION TO THE CENTAUR OWNER/OPERATOR

• Make sure everyone who drives this vehicle receives proper operating instructions and reads this Operator’s Manual.

• No one under the age of 16 should be allowed to operate the CENTAUR. Children under the age of 16 may not have the

skills, abilities or judgement needed to operate the Centaur safely and may be involved in an accident causing severe injury

or death.

• Never allow anyone under the inuence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance to drive or ride in the vehicle.

• Wear an approved safety helmet and eye protection when driving or riding in the vehicle.

• Special operating and safety procedures described in this manual must be observed before and during operation.

• The use of approved hearing protection is recommended.

• Equip your vehicle with a re extinguisher and a rst aid kit.

• Equip your vehicle with basic tools for emergency repairs.

• Before starting your engine, check for spilled fuel and wipe any up immediately. Any fuel is a potentially explosive sub-

stance that can cause serious personal injury when ignited.

• Keep the oor pans secured in place at all times. Fingers, feet, animal tails or paws can be injured in the drive components

beneath the oor pans. The oor pans also help keep damaging debris out of the drive components.

• Make sure all passengers remain seated while the vehicle is in motion. Advise your passengers to hold onto the vehicle at

all times.

• Wear seatbelts when riding in a vehicle equipped with a ROPS.

• Never overload your vehicle. Trying to steer an overloaded vehicle can damage the steering system. Overloading your

vehicle can lead to costly damage to steering system, transmission, drive chains, axles or bearings. Follow the recommended

load capacity for your vehicle listed in Section 1.

• Do not drive the vehicle at high speeds over unfamiliar or rough terrain. Personal injury or vehicle damage may result.

• Certain terrain and steep hills cannot be traversed safely with the Centaur or any other vehicle. Do not attempt to drive

over terrain that is questionable.

• Use common sense at all times when driving your vehicle.

IMPORTANT

Operate this vehicle with safety constantly in mind. Off-road vehicles face unpredictable and often hazardous terrain condi-

tions. It is ultimately the operator’s responsibility to handle the vehicle safely within its limitations and to decide when and

where to travel.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 AMPHIBIOUS OPERATION ...................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................. 1

1.3 WIND CHILL FACTOR............................................................................................................................... 1

1.4 MODEL IDENTIFICATION ........................................................................................................................ 1

1.4.1 Centaur Vehicle Capacity................................................................................................................ 3

1.5 IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION OF CONTROLS............................................................................. 3

1.6 CE MARKED CENTAURS.......................................................................................................................... 3

1.7 INFORMATION LABELS ........................................................................................................................... 4

2.0 GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION

2.1 NEW VEHICLE “BREAK-IN” PROCEDURE .......................................................................................... 5

2.2 PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ...................................................................................................................... 5

2.3 CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO ............................................................................................... 5

2.4 FUELING THE VEHICLE .......................................................................................................................... 5

Centaur 950 and 954 - Gasoline ................................................................................................................... 6

Centaur 950DT - Diesel ............................................................................................................................... 6

2.5 VENTED FUEL SYSTEM .......................................................................................................................... 6

3.0 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 STEERING .................................................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 BRAKES....................................................................................................................................................... 7

3.3 PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE ............................................................................................................ 7

3.4 THROTTLE CONTROL ............................................................................................................................. 7

3.5 STARTING PROCEDURE .......................................................................................................................... 7

3.5.1 Gasoline Powered .......................................................................................................................... 7

3.5.2 Diesel Powered .............................................................................................................................. 8

3.6 STOPPING THE ENGINE .......................................................................................................................... 8

3.7 SELECTING AND CHANGING TRANSMISSION GEARS .................................................................... 8

3.8 HEADLIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................ 9

4.0 DRIVING PROCEDURES

4.1 DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ............................................................................................................... 10

4.2 STOPPING THE VEHICLE ...................................................................................................................... 10

4.3 TURNING THE VEHICLE ....................................................................................................................... 10

4.4 BACKING THE VEHICLE UP ................................................................................................................. 10

4.4.1 Turning The Vehicle While Backing Up....................................................................................... 10

5.0 DRIVING PROCEDURES IN UNUSUAL CONDITIONS

5.1 REMOTE AREA USE ................................................................................................................................11

5.2 ANGLE OF OPERATION ..........................................................................................................................11

5.3 UPHILL OPERATION ...............................................................................................................................11

5.4 DOWNHILL OPERATION ........................................................................................................................11

5.5 SIDE SLOPE OPERATION ........................................................................................................................11

5.6 WATER CROSSING - GENERAL ............................................................................................................ 12

5.6.1 Entering the Water ....................................................................................................................... 13

5.6.2 Driving Procedures in Water ........................................................................................................ 13

5.6.3 Driving Out of Water ................................................................................................................... 13

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