1
700925
07/2012
Dixie Chopper
▪
6302 E. County Road 100 N.
▪
Coatesville, IN
▪
46121
▪
www.dixiechopper.com
General Safety Precautions
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS OPERATION MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTIONS
FURNISHED WITH ATTACHMENTS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MOWER.
1.
Know the location and function of the controls, how to operate them, and how to stop quickly.
2.
Do not allow children under the age of 18 to operate the machine.
3.
Do not allow adults to operate the machine without proper instruction.
4.
Do not carry passengers.
5.
Do not mow when children, pets, or others are present.
The operator is responsible for the
safety of others within the vicinity of the operation of this mower.
6.
While operating the machine, always:
• place roll over protection system in up-right position
• wear
seatbelt
• keep hands and feet inside of the machine.
7.
Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating blades or other rotating parts while the engine is
running.
8.
Clear the work area of objects (wire, rocks, toys, or debris of any kind).
9.
Disengage all attachment clutches, set parking brake, and place steering speed control levers into
neutral-lock (open) position before attempting to start the engine.
10.
Disengage power to attachments, stop the engine, and remove the ignition key before leaving the
operator position or leaving the machine unattended.
11.
Do not attempt to adjust or repair the mower deck, drive system, mower blades, or any other moving
parts while the engine is running. You must disengage power to attachments,
disengage the PTO (Deck Engagement Switch), set steering speed control levers to neutral-lock, set
parking
brake,
shut off the engine,
and remove the key before making any repairs or adjustments or
attempting any of the following tasks:
• Adjusting deck pitch
• unclogging the mower deck chute
• checking blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at the speci
fi
ed intervals
• refueling (never add fuel while the engine is running or hot)
Failure to comply with the above may result in personal injury or death.
12.
Disengage power to attachments when transporting the unit or when the unit is not in use.
13.
Never operate this mower on slopes exceeding 10 degrees in any direction.
NOTE: To operate on terrain that exceeds these limits constitutes misuse of the equipment
and as such, any and all injuries as a result of said use are expressly disclaimed.
14.
Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes to prevent tipping and/or loss of control of
mower. Be especially cautious and
slow down
when changing directions on steep terrain.
15.
DO NOT operate on slopes when the grass is wet.
16.
When mowing downhill, loss of traction and/or braking ability may occur. To compensate, slightly
16.
When mowing downhill, loss of traction and/or braking ability may occur. To compensate, slightly
increase ground speed and make shallow turns gradually, until tighter control is regained.
increase ground speed and make shallow turns gradually, until tighter control is regained.
17.
Stay alert for holes, rocks, roots or other terrain features which may cause loss or sudden increase
17.
Stay alert for holes, rocks, roots or other terrain features which may cause loss or sudden increase
in traction. Care must be taken to keep away from dropoffs.
in traction. Care must be taken to keep away from dropoffs.
18.
Use care when pulling loads or using heavy attachments.
• Use only approved drawbar hitch points
• Limit loads to those you can safely control
• Do not turn sharply. Use care when reversing
19.
Watch for traf
fi
c when near or crossing roads and obey traf
fi
c laws. Disengage blades and wait
for them to stop completely before crossing gravel roads.
20.
When using any attachments, never direct discharge of materials toward bystanders, nor allow
anyone near the machine while it is in operation.
21.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure equipment is in safe working condition.
22.
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
23.
Never attempt to operate the mower while under the in
fl
uence of alcohol or drugs.
