Snorkel AB60J - Manual (Page 53)

Chapter 8 – Operation
AB60J – 0181972 49
Do not use the aerial platform if it drives faster than
0.6 mph (1 km/h), or 26 feet (8 m) in 30 seconds, when
the booms are elevated from the stowed position.
Gradeability
Machine gradeability refers to the maximum slope that
the aerial platform is capable of travel under practical
conditions. It is based on mathematical calculation, but
it also takes into account the practical application.
At any given moment when driving the machine on a
slope, at least one, if not all, of the factors contributing
to achieving theoretical gradeabilty will not be at optimal
performance. For example, tire contact may not be the
same at each drive wheel or the slope conditions may not
be optimal, which would then allow for loss of traction.
Percent vs. Degree of Slope
Gradeability is most often referenced as a percentage.
That value is based on a slope angle of 45° representing
100% grade.
Angle indicators, or inclinometers, often measure the
angle of the slope in degrees not the percent slope.
Because of that, it may be useful to understand the re-
lationship between percent slope and the degree of the
slope angle as shown in Figure 8.5.
Driving on a Slope
The machine should only be driven on a slope or load-
ing ramp in the stowed position with the platform on the
downhill side.
Danger
The aerial platform can tip over if it becomes unstable.
Death or serious injury will result from a tip-over ac-
cident. Do not drive on slopes that exceed 20 percent
grade, or where conditions of the slope could cause
driving to be hazardous.
Place the drive speed in the low position before attempt-
ing to drive the machine on a slope.
Drive the aerial platform only on slopes, or loading ramps
that are within the 20 percent grade capability of the
aerial platform.
Calculate the percent grade:
before attempting to climb an unknown grade
if it is believed that there is a malfunction to determine
if the slope is within the actual grade capability of the
aerial platform.


Percent of
Grade
Angle of Slope
in Degrees
45°
40°
30°
35°
25°
20°
15°
10°
5°
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
0
Figure 8.5 – Slope Percent/Degree Conversion