4
• Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly
depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral
before attempting to start engine.
• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up
on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust
presenting a potential fire hazard.
2. 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 mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a
sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as
shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that
area or serious injury could result.
DO:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Always keep machine in gear when going down
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for
wheel weights or counterweights to improve
stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and
gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or
direction. Rapid engagement or braking could
cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip
over backwards which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow 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.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
3. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that chil-
dren will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the
area.
• Before and when backing, look behind and down
for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the blades off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
the safe machine operation.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years and over should
only operate machine under close parental
supervision and proper instruction.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or other hazard.
• Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
4. SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
