Ransomes Spider ILD02, Safety, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Page: 72 / 92

GB-28
SAFETY, OPERATORS & MAINTENANCE MANUAL
10 OPERATION
10.10 DRIVING ON SLOPES
Driving on slopes is very demanding for the operator,
as they constantly have to evaluate information
about the movement of machine and the character of
the terrain. Especially important is the wheel
adhesion to the grass or other surface and the
mower tilt angle.
Pay attention to climatic conditions.
The climbing ability of the mower will be radically
different on dry, wet or moist grass slopes.
The mower may work on the recommended slopes
(see chapter 2.2) only when the surface (grass) is
dry. If the grass is wet or moist, the maximum
slope, on which work is permitted, is 20 degrees.
Examine closely the working area. Evaluate the
situation and test the possibilities and
characteristics of the specific terrain. Do not take
chances. If the mower loses traction, you have lost
control, stop mowing and re-evaluate the conditions.
The driving wheels of the mower must be evenly
inflated to 250 kPa (2.5bar). They must not be over-
inflated or under-inflated.
Start your work at the bottom of the slope and
proceed to the top. This way you will be usually
moving from less to more steep slopes, which will
give you a better chance to evaluate the climbing
ability and make the right decisions concerning
further work. If you begin to mow steeper slopes
first, it may happen that – due to adverse conditions
- the mower will slip on the slope. Due to dynamic
effects the mower may even roll over.
If the mower is slipping, do not try to stop it and do
not approach it, especially the area below the
mower.
Do not touch or approach the mower if the wheels
are lifted, the mower tilted, in an unstable position or
starting to roll over.
Before operating on slopes, make sure that no one
is below the mower or the working area. Do not
endanger third persons by the movement of the
mower.
Choose your operating position away from the area
to which the mower may slide or to which the
mowed grass may be thrown. The direction of the
discharged grass may change while operating
according to the driving direction of the mower.
When working on slopes, avoid the following:
• Sudden sharp acceleration, steering or
braking
• High driving speed
• Uneven ground
• Changing adhesion (moving from areas
exposed to sun to shade)
• Driving over the mowed material
• Reduction of engine speed
• Stopping on a slope and shutting off the
engine.