About the only common sense thing I can say about using the Hiab is never trust your life to hydraulics. In other words don't stand under the crane, especially with a load.
I have another that applies more to the newer crane on the MLVW: If you can't get the pin to go into the hole to stow the outrigger back into the up position, do not run your finger into the hole to find out why it won't go in. We had one of the artilleryman do that in Bosnia. And yes, it cost him a digit or two. Actually, that point is valid for any hydraulic pins, from cranes to buckets to blades. Use a stick.
One other point I guess: Use the outriggers, even if it is a light load or the crane is empty. I don't recall the problem on the old duece, but on the M36 MLVW, they were very prone to cracking the center cross members on that very long frame.
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