Not for
Reproduction
8
DANGER
Wet or soft slope hazard
Wet or soft slopes can cause sliding and loss of control
• Do NOT operate on slopes when grass is wet. Tires
may lose traction and cause sliding and loss of control.
• Do NOT operate on slopes when soil is soft (such as
after heavy rains). Tires may lose traction and cause
sliding and loss of control.
DANGER
Water, retaining walls and drop-off hazard
Wheels dropping over edges may result in serious injury,
death and drowning.
• Do NOT operate near water, retaining walls, drop-offs
or embankments. The machine could suddenly roll
over if a wheel goes over the edge or the edge breaks
away.
• Give yourself a minimum of two mower widths of
clearance around these hazards.
Do:
• Mow across slopes, not up and down.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a slow speed so that you will
not have to stop or change speed while on the slope.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.
These can change the stability of the unit.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
• See your authorized dealer for recommendations of
available weights to improve stability.
Do NOT:
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires lose
traction (i.e. machine stops forward motion on a slope),
disengage the blade(s) (PTO) and drive slowly off the
slope.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually uphill, if possible. Never mow down
slopes.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The operator could lose footing or balance or mower
could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a
cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing or traction
could cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the unit by putting your foot on the
ground (ride-on units).
• Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
• Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the unit
and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.
• Before and during reverse operation, look behind and
down for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They may
fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe unit
operation. Children who have been given rides in the past
may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the machine.
• Never allow children to operate the unit.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
Emissions
• Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
• Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and Air
Index information on the engine emissions label.
Service and Maintenance
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive.
Safe Handling of Gasoline
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources
of ignition.
• Use only approved gasoline containers.
• Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.
• Never fuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there is
an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a water
heater or other appliance.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck bed
with a plastic bed liner. Always place containers on the
ground away from your vehicle before filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or
trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible,
then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• Keep nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or
container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzle lock-open device.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.
• Never over-fill the fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten
securely.
• Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They
are flammable and vapors are explosive.
• If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but
move the machine away from the area of spillage and
