Not for
Reproduction
8
• Stop equipment and inspect blades after striking objects
or abnormal vibration occurs. Make necessary repairs
before resuming operations.
• Keep hands and feet away from the cutting units.
• Never carry passengers and keep pets and bystanders
away.
• Do not operate the unit while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
• Slow down and use caution when making turns and
crossing roads and sidewalks. Stop blades if not mowing.
• Use care when loading or unloading the machine into a
trailer or truck.
• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees
or other objects that may obscure vision.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep unit free of grass, leaves &
excess oil. Do not stop or park over dry leaves, grass or
combustible materials.
WARNING
It is a violation of California Public Resource Code, Section
4442, to use or operate the engine on any forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the exhaust
system is equipped with a spark arrester, as defined
in Section 4442, maintained in effective working order.
Other states or federal jurisdictions may have similar laws.
Contact an Authorized Service Dealer to obtain a spark
arrester designed for the exhaust system installed on this
engine.
• OSHA regulations may require the use of hearing
protection when exposed to sound levels greater than 85
dBA for an 8 hour time period.
CAUTION
This machine produces sound levels in excess of 85 dBA
at the operator’s ear and can cause hearing loss though
extended periods of exposure.
Wear hearing protection when operating this machine.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-
over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or if you feel uneasy on it, do not drive on it.
WARNING
Do not use this machine on slopes greater than 15°.*
Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope. Use
extra caution when operating on slopes with rear-mounted
grass catchers.
Avoid turning down slopes; if possible turn up slopes. Use
caution when changing direction and DO NOT START OR
STOP ON SLOPE.
* This limit was determined per International Standard ISO 5395-3:2013,
Section 4.6 and is based on the ISO 5395-3 Stability Test procedure
described in Annex A. The 15 degree “limit of stability” is equal to 60%
of the angle at which machine lift-off occurred in static tests. Actual
dynamic stability may vary depending on operating conditions.
Do:
• 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. Do NOT
make sudden changes in speed or direction, which could
cause the mower to rollover.
• Do not mow down slope towards or near drop-offs,
ditches, or embankments. The mower could suddenly
turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if
an edge caves in. Give yourself a minimum of two mower
widths of clearance around these hazards.
• 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.
Towed Equipment (Ride-On Units)
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for weight
limit for towed equipment and towing on slopes. See
attaching a trailer under OPERATION.
• Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
• On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause
loss of traction and loss of control.
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
• Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.
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
