3
1. Safety Rules
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT:
THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I. TRAINING
• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the con trols
and the proper use of the equipment.
• Never allow children or people unfamiliar with the ins truc-
tions to use the lawnmower. Local regulations may restrict
the age of the operator.
• Never mow while people, especially children, or pets are
nearby.
• Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property.
• Do not carry passengers.
• All drivers should seek and obtain professional and practi cal
instruction. Such instruction should em pha size:
- the need for care and concentration when work ing with
ride-on machines;
- control of a ride-on machine sliding on a slope will not be
regained by the application of the brake.
The main reasons for loss of control are:
a) insufficient wheel grip;
b) being driven too fast;
c) inadequate braking;
d) the type of machine is unsuitable for its task;
e) lack of awareness of the effect of ground conditions,
especially slopes;
f) incorrect hitching and load distribution.
II. PREPARATION
• To reduce the risk of fire - before use, when refueling and
at the end of each mowing session - inspect and remove
any debris buildup from the tractor, mower and behind all
guards.
• While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and long
trousers. Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or
wearing open sandals.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used and remove all objects which may be thrown by the
machine.
• WARNING - Petrol is highly flammable.
- Store fuel in containers specifically de signed for this
pur pose.
- Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke while re fu el ing.
- Add fuel before starting the engine. Never remove the cap
of the fuel tank or add petrol while the engine is running
or when the en gine is hot.
- If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but
move the machine away from the area of spillage and
avoid cre at ing any source of ig ni tion until petrol vapors
have dis si pat ed.
- Replace all fuel tanks and container caps securely.
• Replace faulty silencers.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades,
blade bolts and cutter assembly are not worn or damaged.
Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to pre-
serve balance.
• On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade
can cause other blades to rotate.
III. OPERATION
• Do not operate the engine in a confined space where dan-
ger ous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.
• Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
• Before attempting to start the engine, disengage all blade
attachment clutches and shift into neutral.
• Do not use on slopes of more than 15°.
• Remember there is no such thing as a “safe” slope. Travel
on grass slopes requires particular care. To guard against
overturning;
- do not stop or start suddenly when going up or down hill;
- engage clutch slowly, always keep machine in gear,
especially when traveling down hill;
- machine speeds should be kept low on slopes and during
tight turns;
- stay alert for humps and hollows and oth er hidden haz ards;
- never mow across the face of the slope, unless the lawn-
mower is designed for this pur pose.
• Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.
- Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
- Limit loads to those you can safely control.
- Do not turn sharply. Use care when re vers ing.
- Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights when sug gest ed
in the instruction hand book.
• Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
• Stop the blades from rotating before crossing surfaces other
than grass.
• When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the
machine while in operation.
• Never operate the lawnmower with defective guards, shields
or without safety protective devices in place.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed
the engine. Operating the engine at excessive speed may
increase the hazard of personal injury.
• Before leaving the operator’s position:
- disengage the power take-off and lower the at tach ments;
- change into neutral and set the parking brake;
- stop the engine and remove the key.
• Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn
off blades, set parking brake, and stop engine before dis-
mounting. Manually lock ignition switch. (See “MANUALLY
LOCKING THE S
MART
S
WITCH
™ IGNITION” in section 5 of
this manual):
- before cleaning blockages or unclogging chute;
- before checking, cleaning or working on the lawnmower;
- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the lawnmower for
damage and make repairs before re start ing and op er at ing
the equip ment;
- if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (check im-
me di ate ly).
• Disengage drive to attachments when transporting or not
in use.
• Stop the engine and disengage drive to attachment
- before refueling;
- before removing the grass catcher;
- before making height adjustment unless ad just ment can
be made from the op er a tor’s position.
• Reduce the throttle setting during engine run-out and, if the
engine is provided with a shut-off valve, turn the fuel off at
the conclusion of mowing.
