Field artillery materiel

by Unknown

The position of the throttle hand control should be set so that the throttle will be slightly open. In case the carburetor is equipped with an air-choking device this should be closed to cause a rich mixture for starting.

The ignition switch should be turned on and the engine cranked by pulling up quickly on the crank handle a quarter turn at a time. If an electric cranking motor is provided depress the starting button and advance the spark. If magneto ignition is used it is best to spin the engine. Crank the engine with the left hand if possible and stand in such a position that if the engine should kick back the crank will not cause injury.

After the engine has started release the choke on the carburetor advance the spark and close the throttle to a position which will prevent racing. If a special dash adjustment is provided for regulating the mixture allow this to remain in a position to cause a rich mixture until the engine warms up.

To Start the Car.

Allow the engine to warm up sufficiently to overcome missing and to run smoothly. When satisfied that the engine is running properly release the emergency brake. In case the car is on a grade apply the foot brake to prevent the car from moving. Press the clutch pedal all the way down and move the gear shift lever to first speed position. The clutch should be allowed to engage gradually and at the same time the throttle should be opened sufficiently to prevent stalling, but not cause racing of the engine. If the foot brake has been employed it should be released as the clutch is engaged. After the clutch has been fully engaged the throttle should be opened sufficiently to accelerate the car to change to the next higher speed. The throttle should be controlled by the foot accelerator pedal. Once the car is in motion the driver must at all times keep his eyes on the road in the direction in which the car is moving or about to move when changing direction.

To Shift Gears (Increasing Speed).

Before starting a driver should practice moving the gear shift lever to the different positions and getting his feet and hands accustomed to the location of the foot pedals and hand levers. Then it will not be necessary to look away from the road in order to shift gears or in any other way to control the operation of the car. To change gears the clutch pedal should be depressed (it may not be necessary to push it all the way down against the floor boards) and the foot removed from the accelerator pedal at the same time. Move the gear shift lever from first to neutral position, pausing if necessary and then move to second speed position. Engage the clutch immediately and open the throttle with either hand or foot control as soon as the clutch is engaged. The process of changing from second to third or third to fourth is identical. Bear in mind that before each change is made the speed of the car should be accelerated. Care should be taken when changing from lower to a higher speed that the car is moving at a sufficient rate of speed so that an undue strain will not be put on the engine. Practice alone in driving the particular apparatus will acquaint the driver with the necessary speed required to change from one gear ratio to another.

To Shift Gears (Decreasing Speed).

When it is desired to change from a higher to a lower gear ratio release the clutch and allow the hand or foot throttle control to remain open far enough so that the engine will speed up. Move the gear shift lever to the neutral position and again engage the clutch for an instant. Release the clutch immediately and quickly move the gear shift lever from neutral to the next lower speed position and engage the clutch immediately, opening the throttle by hand or foot control.

Another method of shifting to a lower gear ratio is to leave the throttle open and release the clutch just enough to allow it to slip and the engine to speed up. The gear shift lever should then be moved through neutral directly to the next lower speed position and the clutch engaged. This method does not require as much practice but is objectionable since it wears or burns the clutch facing.