
4000 SRM 340 Safety Procedures When Working Near Mast
The three lift cylinders are connected by hoses and
tubing. To extend the mast, oil from the main con-
trol valve flows to all cylinders at the same time.
The free-lift cylinder raises first because it lifts the
least amount of weight. The free-lift cylinder raises
the carriage to the top of the inner weldment. After
the free-lift cylinder reaches the end of its stroke, the
main lift cylinders begin to extend. As the main lift
cylinders extend the intermediate weldment, the in-
ner weldment is extended by the lift chains.
During lowering, the main lift cylinders lower first
because they have a greater load. After the main lift
cylinders have retracted, the free-lift cylinder lowers.
All oil from the lift cylinders flows through the low-
ering control valves to the hydraulic tank.
Safety Procedures When Working Near Mast
The following procedures MUST be used when in-
specting or working near the mast. Additional pre-
cautions and procedures can be required when re-
pairing or removing the mast. See the correct Service
Manual section for the specific mast being repaired.
WARNING
Mast parts are heavy and can move. Distances
between parts are small. Serious injury or
death can result if part of the body is hit by
parts of the mast or the carriage.
• Never put any part of the body into or under
the mast or carriage unless all parts are com-
pletely lowered or a safety chain is installed.
Also make sure that the power is off and the
key is removed. Put a DO NOT OPERATE tag
in the operator’s compartment. Disconnect
the battery on electric lift trucks and put a
tag or lock on the battery connector.
• Be careful of the forks. When the mast is
raised, the forks can be at a height to cause
an injury.
• DO NOT climb on the mast or lift truck at any
time. Usealadderorpersonnellifttowork
on the mast.
• DO NOT use blocks to support the mast weld-
ments nor to restrain their movement.
• Mast repairs require disassembly and re-
moval of parts and can require removal of
the mast or carriage. Follow the repair pro-
cedures in the correct Service Manual for
the mast.
WHEN WORKING NEAR THE MAST ALWAYS:
• Lower the mast and carriage completely.
Push the lift/lower control lever toward and
make sure there is no movement in the mast.
Make sure that all parts of the mast that
move are fully lowered.
OR
• If parts of the mast must be in a raised po-
sition, install a safety chain to restrain the
moving parts of the mast. Connect moving
parts to a part that does not move. Follow
these procedures:
1. Putmastinverticalposition.
2. Raise mast to align bottom crossmember of weld-
ment that moves in the outer weldment with a
crossmember on the outer weldment. On the
two-stage and free-lift mast, the moving part is
the inner weldment. On the three-stage mast, it
is the intermediate weldment. See Figure 5.
3. Use a 3/8 inch minimum safety chain with a hook
to fasten the crossmembers together so the mov-
able member cannot lower. Put the hook on the
backsideofthemast.Makesurethehookiscom-
pletely engaged with a link in the chain. Make
sure the safety chain does not touch lift chains
or chain sheaves, tubes, hoses, fittings, or other
parts on the mast.
4. Lower mast until there is tension in the safety
chain and the free-lift cylinder (free-lift, three-
stage, and four-stage masts only) is completely
retracted. If running, stop the engine. Apply
parking brake. Install a DO NOT REMOVE tag
on the safety chain(s).
5. Install another safety chain (3/8 inch minimum)
between the top or bottom crossmember of the
carriage and a crossmember on the outer weld-
ment.
NOTE: Apply parking brake. After lowering or re-
straining the mast, shut off power and remove key.
Put a DO NOT OPERATE tag in the operator’s com-
partment. Disconnect battery on electric lift trucks
and put a tag or lock on battery connector.
5