HomeMy WebLinkAbout310.015 - Kawasaki Mule PRO-FXT (UTV)Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 1 of 10
300 Training and Equipment Manual
SECTION 310.015 KAWASAKI MULE PRO-FXT UTILITY TASK VEHICLE (UTV)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members with information, operation, and specification on the Kawasaki
Mule PRO-FXT Utility Task Vehicle (UTV).
APPLICATION
Personnel should utilize this procedure when operating the Kawasaki Mule PRO-FXT
UTV.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Personnel operating UTV(s) shall utilize the risk management policy while operating
UTV(s). Only FFD personnel who have completed the didactic based course, exam,
and field evaluation driving course shall operate UTV’s. Authorized operators will be
issued a UTV operators’ card. Operators will complete didactic, exam, and field
evaluation every three years to maintain currency in UTV operations.
While operating or riding in the UTV seatbelts shall be always worn. Driver operators
are directly responsible for the safe operation of the UTV. The first and top priority of
the UTV driver operator shall be the safe operation of the vehicle to provide safety for
department members and the public. Operators shall drive with “due regard” at all
times on or off road while operating the UTV. The UTV(s) shall be driven under its
intended design and use. Under no circumstance is any aspect of safety to be
sacrificed to increase the speed of response.
When moving through pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-vehicles, traffic operators
will proceed with caution, at a safe distance and rate of speed. Operators will alert
pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-vehicle traffic participants in requesting the right
of way. Department personnel riding on UTV(s), while assigned to an emergency
incident or off road, shall wear FFD provided Department of Transportation (DOT)
approved helmets.
While assigned to a closed course special event; (i.e., Fresno State Game, Fair, PR
event) DOT helmets are not required while operating the UTV. Department approved
eye protection shall always be worn. The UTV(s) shall be hauled on a trailer in a
Fresno City Fire Department
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 2 of 10
manner consistent with DOT regulations. The UTV(s) shall not be towed in an
emergency fashion (i.e., lights and siren). Before exiting the UTV, the parking brake
(if equipped) or park will be engaged. A T-CLOC check shall be performed by the
operator before and after operation.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
UTV’s should not be driven faster than 35 mph unless life safety is at risk. If safer
means of transport for a patient are available, they should be considered first. While
transporting a patient, the UTV should not be operated at speeds greater than 15 mph.
Headlights should be on for all operations. Patient helmet should be considered
based on the patient acuity and reasonable accommodation. Fuel cans of any type
are not to be stored in the bed of the UTV.
UTV’s are not to be driven on the road unless for a closed course special event or
deemed necessary by the officer. If the UTV is operated on paved surfaces, the
operator should turn gradually and slowly.
UTV’s are not to be used for any ride-along purposes. Business purposes may require
non-Fire Department personnel to be a passenger. When this is the case, prior
approval must be granted by the chief officer in charge. UTV’s can be utilized for
emergency/event patient extrication during an incident to the nearest medical care
(i.e., ambulance/helicopter). Patient(s) should be transported with safety system
restraints in place. While the UTV is moving, one emergency medical person should
be next to the patient properly secured in the attendant seat and any medical treatment
performed while moving should be limited to what can be accomplished while seat
belted.
PROCESS
Operation
1. Starting the engine:
a. Position vehicle on level surface outdoors or in a well-ventilated
area.
b. Sit in the driver’s seat and fasten the seat belt. Secure the cab
doors.
c. Ensure parking brakes are applied.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 3 of 10
d. Gear shifter to “N” (Neutral) position.
e. Apply brakes.
f. Turn the ignition key to start, release key when the engine starts.
g. If the engine doesn’t start; wait five seconds, return the ignition to
the OFF position, and wait five seconds. Repeat steps 5 and 6
until the engine starts.
h. Vary the engine RPM slightly with the throttle to assist in warming
up until the engine idles smoothly.
2. Stopping the engine:
a. Release the throttle pedal completely and brake to a complete
stop.
b. Place transmission in “N” (Neutral) position.
c. Apply the parking brake to prevent movement of the UTV.
d. Turn the key to OFF position.
e. Slowly release the brake pedal and make sure the brake is
engaged before exiting the vehicle.
3. Braking:
a. Release the throttle pedal completely.
b. When the throttle pedal is released completely and engine speed
slows to near idle, the vehicle has no engine braking.
c. Press on the brake pedal evenly and firmly.
4. Parking the vehicle:
a. Stop the vehicle on a level surface if possible.
b. If on a grade use objects such as rocks, logs to keep UTV from
rolling.
c. Place transmission in “N” (Neutral) position.
d. Apply the parking brake to prevent movement of the UTV.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 4 of 10
e. Turn the engine off.
f. Slowly release the brake pedal and make sure the brake is
engaged before exiting the vehicle.
g. Remove the key to prevent unauthorized use.
5. Shifting gears:
a. Stop the vehicle completely.
b. Move the shifter to High, Low, Reverse position.
c. Gradually increase throttle by depressing the pedal.
6. Payload:
a. Do not exceed 35mph if total payload exceeds 970 lbs.
7. Towing:
a. Never load more than 150 lbs. tongue weight on the towing
bracket.
b. When towing, do not tow any faster than 10 MPH.
c. When towing a disabled vehicle, place the disabled vehicles
transmission in neutral and do not operate any faster than 10
MPH.
d. Total weight for towing.
e. Level surface 2000 lbs.
8. Dumping the cargo box:
a. Open rear doors.
b. Release cargo bed latches.
c. Hold the hand grip and raise the cargo bed.
d. Pull the supporting rod out of the clip- and hook-on curved end of
the support rod onto roll cage bar.
e. Reverse order to store cargo bed.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 5 of 10
9. Two wheel and four-wheel drive shifting:
a. Stop the vehicle completely.
b. Press the selectable 2WD/4WD shift switch to select drive
modes (Figure 1).
• A - Selectable Shift Switch
• B - 2WD
• C - 4WD
(Figure 1)
10. Shifting the differential:
a. Stop the UTV.
b. Press the selectable DIFF-LOCK shift switch to LOCK (Figure 2).
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 6 of 10
(Figure 2)
• A - DIFF-LOCK switch
• B - LOCK position
• C - UNLOCK position
• D - DIFF-LOCK Indicator Light
11. Locking the Differential:
a. Move the rocker switch to the center position (Figure 1) and
operate in two-wheel drive.
12. Unlocking the Differential (Turf Mode):
a. When operating in TURF mode the driver side wheel rotates
independently from the passenger side wheel during turns.
This mode protects the turf or surface from tire damage.
b. Do not operate in TURF mode when climbing or descending
hills or slippery surfaces.
c. To engage TURF mode, press the rocker switch (Figure 1) on
the bottom.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 7 of 10
13. Driving Procedure:
a. Perform a pre-ride inspection.
b. Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), helmet,
and eye protection.
c. Wear appropriate ensemble for fire protection if appropriate.
d. Sit in driver’s seat and fasten seat belt.
• Ensure all passengers are wearing seat belts and
appropriate PPE.
• Do not carry more than the recommended passengers
for your vehicle.
e. Close all cab doors.
f. Ensure the transmission is in Neutral.
g. Start the engine.
h. Apply brakes and shift into low gear.
i. Keep both hands on the wheel, slowly releasing the brakes and
depressing the throttle.
j. After you become skilled at maneuvering the UTV follow these
precautions.
• Avoid sharp turns.
• Never turn while applying heavy throttle.
• Never make abrupt steering maneuvers.
• Operate at speeds appropriate for your skill,
conditions, and terrain.
• DO NOT do power slides, donuts, jumps or other
driving stunts.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 8 of 10
14. Winch Safety:
a. Always wear proper PPE to include eye protection and gloves.
b. Always keep body, hair, clothing, jewelry clear of the winch.
c. Do not attempt to jerk or shock load anything attached to the
winch.
d. Always keep five (5) full turns of winch cable on the drum.
e. Apply your vehicles park mechanism. Use objects to chock
wheels.
f. If winching your UTV out, then place in the lowest gear possible
and apply throttle and winch together to free UTV.
g. Align the winch and load object directly in front of the UTV.
h. Do not winch up or down or in sharp angles.
i. Do not attempt to winch loads above the winch’s rated capacity.
j. Use a 45 second on and then allow the winch to cool down, could
take as long as 10 minutes.
k. Do not allow the winch cable to run through your hands.
l. Do not release the clutch on the winch when under a load.
m. Inspect your winch cable before and after use.
n. Use the hook strap when handling the cable.
15. Winch Operation:
a. Release the winch clutch and pull-out cable.
b. Attach the winch cable hook to an appropriate anchor point.
c. Re-engage the clutch.
d. Slowly winch in the slack.
e. Slowly winch in cable until UTV has been freed.
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 9 of 10
INFORMATION
Recreational Off Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA)
Features and Controls, Maintenance, and Trouble Shooting can be found in the
manual.
Kawasaki Mule PRO-FXT
Warn Winch Basic Operation Guide
1. Component Locations:
Effective Date: July 2022 Robert J. Garcia, Engineer
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 310.015
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2027 Page 10 of 10
2. Specifications:
DEFINITIONS
UTV- Multi-terrain vehicle intended to carry people (side by side) that is equipped with
seat belts, a roll cage, and a rear cargo bed.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 208.002a, Department Response Procedures