A non-operational golf cart, often due to a dead battery or mechanical failure, requires a specific approach to be moved without causing further damage to its drive system. Safely relocating a cart involves understanding the mechanical differences between cart types and following preparatory steps. This guide provides instructions to ensure the cart can be moved efficiently and without risking harm to the vehicle or personnel.
Essential Safety Precautions
Before attempting any movement, the cart must be secured and stabilized to prevent accidental rolling, especially on an incline. Verify that the cart is completely powered down and remove the ignition key, if applicable, to prevent accidental engagement. Avoid touching battery terminals due to the potential for residual charge.
Place wheel chocks or sturdy blocks firmly against the tires, particularly on the downhill side, to ensure the cart remains stationary during preparation. Moving a dead golf cart typically requires a minimum of two people to manage the weight and provide steering control. Attempting to move the vehicle alone risks injury or loss of control, particularly on uneven terrain.
Disengaging the Drive System
Neutralizing the drive system prevents damage to the motor and electronic components during movement. For electric golf carts, this relies on the “Run/Tow” switch, typically found under the seat near the batteries or the controller. This switch must be flipped to the “Tow” or “Maintenance” position to fully disable the electronic speed controller and motor.
Switching to “Tow” mode is necessary because moving an electric cart in the “Run” position causes the motor to spin without power, turning it into an electrical generator. This back-fed current can overload and permanently damage the sensitive motor controller, which is often an expensive repair. Tow mode also deactivates the motor braking function, allowing the wheels to turn freely and preventing component stress.
Once the controller is disabled, the parking brake mechanism must also be released, which often happens automatically on many electric carts when the Tow switch is engaged. However, on some models, like the EZGO RXV with an electromagnetic brake, a manual override is sometimes required if the batteries are completely drained. For gas-powered carts, the only required step is to ensure the gear selector is placed firmly in the neutral position to physically disengage the transmission.
Pushing and Steering the Cart
Once the drive system is disengaged, the cart is ready for manual movement. The steering wheel may lock when the key is removed, so you may need to insert the key and turn it to the accessory or ‘on’ position to unlock the steering column without engaging the motor or drive system. One person should be positioned to steer the cart, while the others apply pushing force.
Proper body mechanics are important when pushing, requiring a low and steady application of force to overcome inertia. Maintain a firm grip on the cart’s frame or body panels, pushing with your legs rather than your back to avoid muscle strain. Remember that the standard foot brake will not function, meaning the only stopping power is the force applied by the people pushing.
Steering should be done smoothly and proactively, as the cart’s weight makes sudden directional changes difficult. Movement should be slow and deliberate, especially when navigating softer terrain like grass or gravel, which requires significantly more pushing effort than paved surfaces. If the path involves any significant incline, additional manpower should be used, as controlling a heavy, unpowered vehicle on a slope presents a heightened risk of a runaway cart.
Mechanical Assistance and Towing
If the distance or terrain is too challenging for manual pushing, mechanical assistance is necessary. Use a sturdy tow strap designed for the cart’s weight, avoiding chains as they can cause damage. Secure the strap to a structural component of the cart’s frame, such as a designated tow hook or a solid axle point, rather than suspension parts or steering linkages.
The Run/Tow switch must be confirmed to be in the “Tow” position before any external force is applied, protecting the electrical components from damage. When towing a cart with the drive system disengaged, the maximum speed should be kept below 8 miles per hour. Maintaining a low speed minimizes stress on the drivetrain and ensures the person steering the towed cart can maintain control.
For winching a cart onto a trailer or out of a hazard, the attachment point for the winch cable must also be the main structural frame. Winching should be a slow, controlled process to prevent the cable from slipping or the cart from shifting unpredictably. In all cases of mechanical movement, the steering person should be ready to apply force to the steering wheel to guide the cart and prevent it from veering off course.