1

Motor Grader
Operator Training
Basic Operation Tips
＜GD705-5＞
 2

Introduction:
This training material is not a substitute
for the Operation & Maintenance Manual.
Make sure to read and thoroughly
understand the Operation & Maintenance
Manual before operating the machine.

It is the operator's duty to

ensure safe operation of the
machine after thoroughly
understanding the contents of
the manual.
 Contents 3

• General View • Operation: MANU vs T/C AUTO

mode
1) General view of machine
2) General view of controls and gauges

• Basic Operation Knowledge

• Action Code Display
1) Jobsite confirmation
• Switches 2) Blade propulsion angle
3) Blade cutting angle
1) Transmission mode selector switch
4) Suitable machine working speed
2) Differential lock switch
– (if equipped)
3) Recommended setting for mode • Prohibited Operation
selector switches

• Control Levers, Pedals

1) Work equipment control levers
2) Gear shift lever
3) Pedals
 General View 4

1. General view of machine:

Blade lift cylinder

Cabin

Front wheels Drawbar

Ripper
assembly

Blade Articulation
Front axle
cylinder Rear wheels
assembly
Circle gear
 General View 5

2. General view of controls and gauges:

Rear view mirror

Machine
monitor

Shift lever
Work equipment
levers

Steering wheel

Pedals
Right side
panel
 Action Code Display 6

If the machine has failed, or if there has been

excessive load on the machine, or if it is
necessary to carry out inspection and
maintenance, an action code is displayed to
recommend suitable action.

Centralized
Degree of Action Alarm
urgency level buzzer
Warning Remedy
lamp

- Stop the machine immediately.

high E03 Sounds Flashes - Check the failure code.
- Ask your Komatsu distributor to carry out repairs.

- For overheat, stop the machine and run the

engine at mid-range speed under no load.
E02 Sounds Flashes
- For overrun, reduce engine speed and machine
speed and continue operation.
- Carry out inspection and maintenance for the item
Low E01 - - given after completing the day's operations or
during change shift of operators.
 Switches 7

Blade accumulator switch Rear working lamp switch

(if equipped) (if equipped) Cigarette lighter
RPM set
switch
Starting
RPM set mode switch
selector switch

Lift arm lock

Transmission mode
switch
selector switch

Hazard lamp switch Front lamp Front working

Power mode selector switch
switch lamp switch
(if equipped)

Transmission mode selector switch

Differential lock switch - (if equipped)

 Switches 8

1) Transmission mode selector switch To set the transmission to T/C

Auto mode or to Manual mode

Manual - For carrying out work with the same operating feeling as
the conventional direct power shift (hydroshift).

T/C Auto - When carrying out work as the easy-to-operate torque converter
machine with automatic transmission functions. Inching operations
are not necessary, and operations of only the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal enable the optimum work.

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 R1 R2 R3 R4
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ (For REVERSE,
AUTO and MANUAL
○ ◎ ○ ◎ mode are the same)

Auto - ○ ◎ ◎ ○ ◎ ◎
○ ◎ ◎ ◎ ○ In torque converter state(T/C)
○ ◎ ◎ ◎ ◎
◎ As the machine speed
Manual. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● increases, torque
converter state changes
to lock up state (L/U).
● In lock up state (torque converter is not in use)
Automatic gear shifting
 Switches 9

1) Transmission mode selector switch

Torque converter Auto mode is suitable for the following works:

• Work during which loads fluctuate widely and the engine speed
• is significantly lowered
• Work carried out at F5 or higher gear speeds
• Long distance travel
• Work carried out at very low speeds

Engine stall prevention function

Back to MANUAL mode AUTO ← MANUAL mode MANUAL mode

When engine regains RPM to a When engine RPM drops to a certain
certain value due to decrease of value due to load on the blade,
load on the blade, T/C AUTO MANUAL mode is automatically
mode is automatically change change to T/C AUTO mode to
back to MANUAL mode. prevent engine stall.
 Switches 10

1) Transmission mode selector switch

REMARK

• Even in Manual mode, no engine stall occurs as this model has the linked control of torque
converter and direct drive (Engine stall prevention function).

• When working at F1 and low idle of engine during selection of torque converter Auto
mode, the machine can travel at very slow speeds through acceleration and brake
operations.

• Even if operating the gear shift lever when traveling at high speeds, the gear shift is not
actuated if there is possibility of overrun of the engine. After the machine slows down to a
speed at which the engine never overruns, the gear speed automatically changes to the
selected one.

2) Differential lock switch - (if equipped)

Used to actuate the differential lock.

ON - Differential lock is actuated

OFF - Differential lock is released

 Switches 11

2) Differential lock switch - (if equipped)

Differential lock switch OFF Differential lock switch ON

Enhanced straight
Smooth turning
travelling performance

Benefits of setting differential lock ON

• Improve the straight traveling performance ON

• Provide strong traction when travelling even

on soft or frozen ground. OFF
• With strong driving force, easy to escape
from soft ground without slipping.

Precaution when travelling with differential lock ON

• Remember that this will cause early wear of tires Improved traction on
• Make a turn using large turning radius both sides
• Make a turn only with machine speed of 30 km/h or less
 Switches 12

3) Recommended setting for mode selector switches

Differential lock Transmission mode Power mode

switch selector switch selector switch

Digging/Cutting
Ground Road
Switch Mode Travelling
Hard Soft levelling maintenance

Differential lock ON ○ ○
switch OFF ○ ○ ○

T/M shift mode Auto ○ ○ ○

selector switch Manual ○ ○

Power mode P (Power) ○

selector switch E (Economy) ○ ○ ○ ○
○ : Suitable
 Control Levers and Pedals 13

1) Work equipment control levers

Ripper Power tilt Articulate

Left blade lift Blade Blade Draw bar Right blade

cylinder side shift rotation side shift Leaning lift cylinder
 Control Levers and Pedals 14

1) Work equipment control levers

1 1 2 9 10
10

3 4 5 6 7 8
Ripper

2 ⑤ ⑧

Power tilt Blade rotation Right blade lift

3 ⑥ ⑨

Left blade lift Drawbar side shift Articulate

④ ⑦ ⑩

Blade side shift Leaning Scarifier

 Control Levers and Pedals 15

2) Gear shift lever

Vehicle speed
Gear (km/h)
position
Forward Reverse
P N 4-speed reverse
1st 4.0 4.5
2nd 5.6 8.8
3rd 7.7 17.4
4th 10.9 34.1
5th 15.3
6th 21.6
P N 8-speed forward 7th 30.0
8th 42.5

Parking Brake
• When the shift lever is set to the P position, the parking brake is applied, and the pilot lamp
lights on the monitor.
• The engine is started at the P position. It cannot be started in other positions.
• To move to and from the P position, press the red button on the lever and shift the position.
 Control Levers and Pedals 16

2) Gear shift lever Normal max engine speed :

about 2000 RPM
engine
Engine overrun prevention function
overrun

• An abrupt downshift operation probably

actuates the function of preventing the
engine from overrunning.

• The desired gear speed is not

obtained until the machine slows
down to a certain travel speed as
shown on the table.

• For proper operation, always reduce

the travel speed (naturally or by using
brake) before shifting down gear.

NOTE: The engine overrun prevention function is a safety feature to avoid

machine damage in case of wrong down shifting operation.
 Control Levers and Pedals 17

3) Pedals
(1) Inching pedal

This pedal is used to connect and (1) (2) (3) (4)

disconnect the power from the engine to
the transmission

Starting to Stopping Forward <->

TM mode Shifting UP Shifting DOWN
move machine reverse
Auto - - - - -

Manual ○ ○ ○ - -
- No need to use ○ Need to use

(2) Steering post tilt pedal

Tilt the steering post towards the operator.

Steering
(3) Accelerator Pedal post tilting
To control the engine RPM (LOW  HI)

(4) Brake pedal

To apply brake to the four rear wheels
 Operation: MANU Vs T/C AUTO mode 18

MANUAL T/C AUTO

Inching pedal will be used Inching pedal will NOT be used

Moving off

Release inching pedal partially

until TM starts to transmit power

Stopping
machine
 Operation: MANU Vs T/C AUTO mode 19

MANUAL T/C AUTO

Inching pedal will be used Inching pedal will NOT be used

Shifting
between
F and R

• DO NOT USE THE INCHING PEDAL

Gear shifting
• Release the accelerator pedal fully before shifting

• Before shifting down the gear, apply the brake

to reduce the travel speed.
• Shift UP or DOWN, 1 gear at a time
 Basic Operation Knowledge 20

1) Jobsite confirmation Knowing and understanding the

construction site is operator’s responsibility

• Grasping of the road condition Are large rocks

buried in the site?
• Grasping of the cutting material
• Selection of the suitable
construction equipment

Type of work Propulsion angle

2) Blade propulsion angle Cutting hard

45°
soil
In general cutting cases, the blade
propulsion angle should be approx. 60°. Cutting soft
55°
In the following cases, set a narrower soil

propulsion angle.
• When the cutting resistance is high Snow removal 60°
• When the soil is hard
• When the soil accumulated in front of
the blade hinders smooth movement Finish leveling 60～90°
of the blade
 Basic Operation Knowledge 21

3) Blade cutting angle Type of work Cutting angle

Change the blade cutting angle according to the Leveling and

type of work. finishing
80°～90°

Set the angle larger for the following information.

• Road surface cutting
• Compacted snow removal Cutting, shaping,
• Roadbed finishing work Snow removal, etc. Around
40°

※Precautions when cutting or digging

• Premature wear of the blade edge Stripping, leveling,
• Machine body bounces and carrying
• Road surface is uneven Min

Early wear of blade edge

Unevenness of the road surface due to

bouncing of the vehicle body
 Basic Operation Knowledge 22

4) Suitable machine working speed Grading and material mixing work

Machine speed
Work type
1. Grading and material mixing work (km/h)
• Gear speed: F1 to F4 Road repair (shaping) 3～10
• Work speed: 1 to 10 km/h
Grading/leveling 1～8
• Be careful of the road surface roughness
after leveling. Mixing 8～10

2. Cutting and digging work Cutting and digging work

• Gear speed: F1 to F2 Machine speed
Work type
• Work speed: 2 to 6km/h (km/h)

• Adjust according to the work surface Road repair

condition (bedrock/hard 3～6
ground)
Cutting and digging at a high-speed leads Ditching 2～4
to machine damage.

Edge deformation

Drawbar deformation Tire damage

 Prohibited Operation: Contents 23

• Precautions when traveling

• Operation on slope
• Precautions for inching pedal
• Precautions for brake pedal
• Precautions for TM shift mode selector switch
• Precautions for gear shift
• Precautions for operation
 Precautions when traveling 24

1) Traveling the machine (general travel) with the blade

protruding outside the machine’s width.

The blade may easily hit or contact

other objects that may cause
damage and accident.

✓ Retract the blade within the tire width and raise the blade sufficiently from
the ground. Follow correct traveling posture.

Correct travel posture

 Precautions when traveling 25

2) Travelling at high speed while machine is articulated or

articulating the machine while traveling at high speed
Machine may turn sharply and tips over.

Speed > 10 km/h

✓ Travel at a maximum speed of 10 km/h while the machine is in articulated

position.

Speed < 10 km/h

 Precautions when traveling 26

3) Switching between FORWARD and REVERSE while machine is

traveling at high speed
Power train may be damaged by large load during gear change.

FOR → REV

Directional gear shifting

while travel speed is high R

✓ Always stop the

machine F
completely
before STOP
switching the
travel direction.
R
 Operation on slope 27

1) Neutral coasting while traveling downhill

No engine brake and the steering wheel becomes heavier that may cause an
accident and possible damage on the power train.

NEUTRAL

✓ Never shift the TM to NEUTRAL, drive slowly using low gear, and use the engine
brake and foot brake effectively.

Low gear
 Operation on slope 28

2) Shifting down the gear suddenly while machine is travelling

downhill at high speed
• ENGINE OVERRUN PREVENTION function will be activated together with alarm
and caution to protect the machine.

Shift down

“ENGINE OVERRUN PREVENTION”

✓ Reduce the travel speed and shift down 1 gear at a time.

Shift down
 Operation on slope 29

3) In MANUAL mode, gear shifting while travelling halfway

on a steep slope
TC lock-up clutch damage due to excessive load during clutch engagement.

Shift Up/Down

✓ Do not make gear shifts halfway on steep slope when using manual mode.
When entering a slope in manual mode, select a gear speed suitable for
the slope angle and then enter.
Before the slope
No gear
Select suitable
shifting!!
gear position
 Operation on slope 30

4) Stopping on slope for a long time by only depressing the

inching pedal and brake pedal at the same time.
TM clutch will keep on slipping, temperature will rise excessively, and this can
cause TM clutch seizure or abnormal wear.

Long time

✓ After stopping the machine, set the gear shift lever to PARKING (P) position
then release the brake and inching pedal.

PARKING

Release the pedals

after PARKING
 Operation on slope 31

5) Using the foot brake too frequently during downhill travel

The brake may be overheated, get damage, and malfunction that can cause an
accident.

Frequent braking

✓ Travel downhill using low gear, use “engine brake”, and apply the brake only
when necessary.

Low gear

Necessary braking
 Precautions for inching pedal 32

1) Depressing the inching pedal when gear shifting (Up/Down)

TM may be damage by unnecessary use of inching pedal.

Shift Up/Down

✓ To shift Up/Down, operate the gear shift lever without depressing the inching pedal.

Shift Up/Down

No need to use the

inching pedal
 Precautions for inching pedal 33

2) Using the inching pedal for switching between FORWARD and

REVERSE , start moving, and stopping in T/C AUTO mode
Power train may be damaged by sudden load.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping
Using the inching pedal

✓ Use the inching when using MANUAL mode for changing between FORWARD
and REVERSE, start moving, and stopping the machine.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping
No need to Use the inching pedal in TC AUTO mode
 Precautions for inching pedal 34

3) NOT using the inching pedal for switching between FORWARD

and REVERSE , start moving, and stopping in MANUAL mode

Power train may be damaged by sudden load.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping
Not using the inching pedal

✓ Use the inching when using MANUAL mode for changing between FORWARD
and REVERSE, start moving, and stopping the machine.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping
Use the inching pedal in MANUAL mode
 Precautions for inching pedal 35

4) Continuous use of the inching pedal for extended time

The clutch temperature will rise excessively, and this can cause
TM clutch seizure or abnormal wear.

Long time

✓ As a target, do not use the inching pedal continuously more than 10 seconds.

Within 10 seconds
 Precautions for inching pedal 36

5) Operation of continuously repeated “depression” and “release”

of the inching pedal within a short time
The clutch temperature will rise excessively, and this can cause
TM clutch seizure or abnormal wear.

Depress → Release

✓ Do not do such operation with the inching pedal. Operate only one time if needed.

Operate only one time if needed

 Precautions for inching pedal 37

6) Depressing the inching pedal while large load is applied

The clutch temperature will rise excessively, and this can cause TM clutch
seizure or abnormal wear.

Heavy
load
Depressing while loaded

✓ No need to operate the inching pedal. Reduce the engine speed by controlling
the accel pedal and reduce the blade load by adjusting the blade position.

or or

Control the engine speed and reduce the load on the blade
 Precautions for inching pedal 38

7) Resting the foot on the inching pedal unnecessarily

Inching pedal may be constantly depressed causing the clutch temperature to
rise excessively and this can cause TM clutch seizure or abnormal wear.

Use as a “footrest”

✓ If not necessary, do not put your foot on this pedal.

DO NOT use as a “footrest”

 Precautions for inching pedal 39

8) In MANUAL mode, simultaneously operating the gear shift lever

while the inching pedal is being released from depressed position
TM clutch will be worn out abnormally due to not enough
separation of the clutch during gear engagement.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping

Pedal releasing

Simultaneous operation

✓ Wait for at least 2 seconds after shifting then release the inching pedal.

• FOR → REV
• Moving off
• Stopping

Wait for at least

2 seconds Pedal releasing
 Precautions for brake pedal 40

Resting the foot on the brake pedal unnecessarily

The brake may be applied constantly and will cause brake overheating
and brake failure that can cause accident.

Use as a “footrest”

✓ Do not put the foot on the brake pedal unnecessarily.

Only when braking

 Precautions for TM shift mode
selector switch 41

Switching the TM shift mode selector switch from TC AUTO to MANU

mode while the torque converter is stalling due to blade overload
TC lock-up clutch damage due to excessive load during clutch engagement.

Switching
“T/C AUTO”
to T/C
Heavy
“MANU” load stalling
mode

✓ Set the gear shift lever to NEUTRAL or PARKING position first. Then switch over
while the machine is stopped, and engine is running in low idle

Switching
PARKNG / NEUTRAL
“T/C AUTO”
to
“MANU”
mode
 Precautions for gear shift 42

1) In MANUAL mode, starting to move the machine with loaded

blade with the gear shift lever on higher gears.
TC lock-up clutch damage due to excessive load during clutch engagement.

Moving off
High gear

Heavy
load

✓ Carry out laden moving (starting of the machine with its blade loaded) in
Manual mode at F3 or lower gear speeds.

Moving off
F1 / F2 / F3

Heavy
load
 Precautions for gear shift 43

2) Shifting the gear (UP or DOWN) while the accel pedal is

still depressed
TM clutch may be damaged due to excessive load during clutch engagement.

Shift Up/Down

Accel depressed while gear shifting

✓ When shifting DOWN, fully release the accel pedal. When Shifting UP, loosen
only the depression of the accel pedal.

Shift DOWN Shift UP

Fully release the accel pedal Partially release the accel pedal
 Precautions for operation 44

1) Leaning the front wheels to the wrong side while working

The machine will skid more sideway to the direction of the load and the tire
may be damage and working in a straight line will be difficult.

Side slip

✓ Lean to the direction opposite to which the front wheel slides.

Straight travel
 Precautions for operation 45

2) Using "leaning" unnecessarily while traveling

The front wheels may be damage since it is more prone to side cut when leaning.

Tire side cut

✓ Use leaning only if necessary. When the load on the blade is trying to push the
machine to the side while working, and when a small steering radius is required.

Side slip

Small steering radius

Use leaning only if necessary

 Precautions for operation 46

3) The rear wheels is running over the windrow or the side of

the tires is in contact with the windrow when working
Tires may be damage and grading work becomes difficult because the rear
wheels are not running on flat surface.

✓ Discharge the material outside the rear wheels and confirm that the rear
wheels do not contact it as the machines moves forward.
 Precautions for operation 47

4) Rear wheels on one side are slipping excessively while grading

Excessive tire wear.

Tire slip on
one side

✓ If a tire on either side slips, lower the engine speed and, after confirming
that no tire is slipping, operate the differential lock.

ON

OFF

Control the tire slip and turn on the

DIFFERENTIAL LOCK Improved traction
 Precautions for operation 48

5) Rear wheels on both sides are slipping excessively due to

blade overloaded
Excessive tire wear.
Tire slip on both sides

✓ Adjust the accel operation and reduce the load on the blade by adjusting
the blade position.

or or

Control the engine speed and reduce the load on the blade
 Precautions for operation 49

6) Steering or turning sharply while the differential lock is ON

Excessive tire wear and soft working surface will be damage.

ON

OFF

Sharp steering while the differential lock is ON

✓ For general travel operation, TURN OFF the diff lock. Turn it ON only when
working in a straight line with minimum/small steering operation only.

General travel: Differential lock switch OFF Working in straight line: Diff. lock switch ON

ON
ON

OFF Enhanced straight

Smooth OFF traveling
turning performance
 Precautions for operation 50

7) Operating the differential lock switch while the machine is

moving/traveling
A large load will be applied to the differential which may cause damage.

ON

OFF

✓ To protect the differential device, operate the differential lock switch only
when the machine is stopped.

ON

OFF
 Ripping 51

Steering/articulating while ripping or Ripping while the

machine is in articulated position

The ripper will get damaged or broken.

✓ When using the ripper, set the frame straight and do not steer or operate the
articulation.
 52

End