Go Cart Instructions & SafetyWritten by Brannon Smith
After receiving your go cart, ensuring its proper assembly, and completing warranty process with 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 vehicle could travel under. Do not ride in areas where other recreational vehicles are being operated. Be respectful of landowners and environment. 2. Always perform a Pre-Ride Inspection WARNING - Perform this pre-ride inspection prior to operating vehicle. If not performed, serious damage to 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 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 tank move vehicle at least 15 feet away from spot of filling before starting. 3. BRAKES - PERFORM A BRAKE TEST: Have operator sit in seat, then push vehicle from behind. Once vehicle is rolling, have operator apply brake pedal. The vehicle should come to a stop. WARNING- Do not operate a go cart unless brake is working properly. NOTE : Band brake systems typically require a short break-in period to operate at full efficiency. Some wear on lining of brake pads will increase coefficient of friction and improve their effectiveness. That can be accomplished by making a series of gentle stops. Hard usage of 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 cable assembly before riding. 7. TOGGLE KILL SWITCH - PERFORM THIS TEST (only for go cart models without electric starter): While engine is running, move toggle kill switch on steering column to "OFF" position. If this does not stop engine, check to ensure that toggle kill switch wire is attached to terminal on 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 personal safety of go cart operator or passenger (if any). 10. STEERING SYSTEM - Ensure that 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 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 operation and maneuverability of go carts. Again, always read Owner's Manual specific to your go cart. Below are more tips compliments of Carter Brother to help educate you on 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 engine before reading and understanding all rules, warnings, and instructions in this manual, as well as engine owner's manual. We strongly recommend that all supervisors, operators and passengers veiw safety video prior to operation. DRIVING SAFETY TIPS TURNING MANEUVERS A new operator must learn to shift his or her weight and control throttle to allow rear tires to negotiate turn. This is 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 terrain. Steer in direction of turn, and lean your body to inside of turn in order to maximize front tire traction. Use throttle to maintain power throughout turn. Once this technique is learned, turning maneuvers can be performed within a relatively small area. Incorrect turning techniques may cause front wheels to slide straight ahead without affecting vehicle's direction of travel. If this should occur, come to a stop, then resume technique outlined above. If front wheels tend to skid in mud, sand, or snow, you may be able to improve control by releasing throttle and allowing vehicle to coast through turn. If rear wheels inadvertently skid sideways, correct your slide by steering in direction of 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, 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 vehicle to overturn.
| | Fly Fishing in High WaterWritten by Cameron Larsen
A long, long time ago, I remember waking up at 3 a.m., on a Saturday. I say waking up, although I don't think I ever went to sleep. It was opening day eve, as good as Christmas eve, in my seven year old way of thinking. Our destination was more than three hours away, to land of huge trout, and lots of them. Silently, in light of moon, my Dad and I climbeed in his Ford Falcon and began are ardous three hour journey to land of Big Fish. Thta magical mysterious place was, across Cascade Mountains at legendary Deschutes River. Home of montser trout. I dozed somewhat on drive over, waking up to donuts and hot chocolate, as we rambled through forest. At last, we descended on flat juniper country of 'East side', and finally began our twisting descent down canyon to mighty river. With my dog, I pressed my nose to window glass, drooling with anticpation. As we crossed over, I didn't notice off-color water or river spilling here and there over it's natural banks. But I did notice my Dad's groan. We stopped, stretched our legs, used bushes, and then I heard my Dad say, 'blown out.' I was curious and inquired, and learned river was 'blown out', flooded, too high to fish. Each exclamation of river more seriuos than last. Until, I realized fishing wasn't going to happen today. As bad as life gets at seven, as bad as no Santa Claus. We threw rocks into roaring mess, walked around some more, I learned about rock formations, local flora, and then we were off, back to home. Today I live two blocks from that legendary river, and have learned a thing or two about high water fishing. I have had success here and on other rivers using some very simple techniques. Where to find fish: If current is raging, fish don't really want to be out in it anymore than fly fishers do. They tend to hole up, in slower water, and luckily for us closer to shore. Look for pockets and pools, close in that will provide likely water. Riffles that are normally too shallow, will provide a feeding lane in high water. The nice thing is wading is not required if fish are lying close to bank. A word of caution here, high water wading can be extremly dangerous. Water is murky and visibility can be nil, underwater footing can change dramatically. Even if fishing familiar water, under water terrain could have changed since last fished. A wading staff can help, but fishing from bank is better yet. Fish behavior: As mentioned above, fish don't want to be in heavy current anymore than you do. But they don't stop feeding. On contrary, spring run off brings with it speeding of fish's metabolism, and likewise their desire to eat. Although rising fish are much less likely, fish eat up to 90% of their diet sub-surface anyway. So unless there are peculiarities to your particular river, prepare for sub-surface fishing. This can be disappointing to some diehard dry fly fisher's. But because fish are close in, you may not have such easy access to large fish again, entire year.
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