Bush Hog HDE-3 Series, Operator'S Manual, Page: 59 / 102

OPERATION
OPERA
TION
HDE-3 ZT 05/19 Operation Section 4-3
© 2019 Alamo Group Inc.
ROPS and Seat Belts
This Zero Turn Mower is equipped with a ROPS (Roll
Over Protective System) and Seat Belts for the Opera-
tor’s safety.
The ROPS should always be raised and locked and Seat
Belt used when the Zero Turn Mower is in use.
Ensure the seat is secured to the Zero Turn Mower.
If the ROPS must be lowered for
clearance, do not wear the seat
belt. There is no protection from a
rollover when the ROPS is lowered. Raise the ROPS and
lock in the up position as soon as clearance allows.
Seat
Belt
ROPS
Mowing on Slope and Hills
Operating this Zero Turn Mower
on a Slope Exceeding 15 Degrees
is unsafe and can cause upset or
loss of traction resulting in serious injury or death.
Refer to the Slope Indicator page in the front of this
manual to determine if a Slope or Hill is too DANGER-
OUS to operate this Zero Turn Mower on!
Refer to SAFETY SECTION: Using ROPS & Seat Belts
For Operating on Slopes Safety.
To avoid tipover, drive across
slopes, not up and down. If ma-
chine stops going uphill, stop blades and back down
slowly.
Mowing on wet grass can cause sliding and result in
loss of control!
1. Reduce speed to slowest speed possible before start-
ing up or down hills.
2. Avoid stopping or changing speed on hills.
3. If you must stop, place the steering levers in the neu-
tral lock position and engage parking brake.
4. To Restart movement release the parking brake. Move
the Steering Levers out of Neutral Lock position and
push forward equally to regain forward motion.
5. Make turns slowly if operator must turn on a slope or
hill.
!
DANGER
!
CAUTION
!
DANGER
REAR HITCH
This Zero Turn Mower comes equipped from the factory
with a Rear Tow Hitch. The hitch should be used to pull
small yard implements such as dethatchers, seeders,
fertilizer spreaders and yard carts.
Implements should be towed at slow
speeds on level ground and never
towed on steep slopes. Tongue
w e i g h t s h a l l not e x ceed 25 Lbs. and implement
weight shall not exceed 250 Lbs. Operator shall be
cautious when towing implements due to reduced braking
and overall mower handling capabilities.
!
CAUTION
Rear
Hitch