Not for
Reproduction
7
• Wear appropriate clothing including safety shoes, safety
glasses and ear protection. Long hair, loose clothing or
jewelry may get tangled in moving parts.
• Inspect the area where the equipment is to be used and
remove all objects such as rocks, toys and wire, which
can be thrown by the machine.
• Use extra care when handling gasoline and other fuels.
They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Do not
smoke.
• Never refuel or drain the machine indoors.
• Check that operator’s presence controls, safety switches
and shields are attached and functioning properly. Do not
operate unless they are functioning properly.
Operation
• Never run an engine in an enclosed area.
• Mow only in the daylight or with good artificial light,
keeping away from holes and hidden hazards.
• Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is
engaged before starting engine. Only start engine from
the operator’s position. Use seat belts if provided.
• Be sure of your footing while using pedestrian controlled
equipment, especially when backing up. Walk, don’t run.
Reduced footing could cause slipping.
• Slow down and use extra care on hillsides. Be sure to
travel in the recommended direction on hillsides. Turf
conditions can affect the machines stability. Use caution
when operating near drop-offs.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always look down, behind and to the side before
changing directions.
• Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not
point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without
either the entire grass catcher or the deflector in place.
• Slow down and use caution when making turns and when
changing directions on slopes.
• Never raise deck with the blades running.
• Never leave a running unit unattended. Always disengage
the PTO, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove
keys before dismounting. Keep hands and feet away from
the cutting units.
• Turn off the PTO switch to disengage the blades when
not mowing.
• Never operate with guards not securely in place. Be
sure all interlocks are attached, adjusted properly and
functioning properly.
• Never operate with the discharge deflector raised,
removed or altered, unless using a grass catcher.
• Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed
the engine.
• Stop on level ground, lower implements, disengage
drives, engage parking brake, shut off engine before
leaving the operator’s position for any reason including
emptying the grass catchers or unclogging the chute.
• 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%
