TOWED EQUIPMENT
• Never allow children or others in or on towed equip-
ment.
• 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.
• 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.
Safety Rules and Information
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 operate on it.
Control of a ride-on machine sliding on a slope will not be
regained by the application of the brake. The main rea-
sons for loss of control are: insufficient tire grip on the
ground, speed too fast, inadequate braking, the type of
machine is unsuitable for it’s task, lack of awareness of the
ground conditions, incorrect hitching and load distribution.
Do
• See your authorized dealer for recommendations of
wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• 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. Tires may lose traction on slopes
even through the brakes are functioning properly.
Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop or
shift while on the slope.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. 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.
• Always keep unit in gear especially when traveling
downhill. When clutching, release clutch slowly.
Do Not
• Do not start or stop on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,
turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embank-
ments. 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 unit by putting your foot on
the ground.
• Do not use grass catchers on steep slopes.
• Do not mow slopes you cannot back up.
• Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.
WARNING
Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6 percent
(10°) which is a rise of 3-1/2 feet (106 cm) vertically in
20 feet (607 cm) horizontally.
When operating on slopes use additional wheel
weights or counterweights. See your dealer to
determine which weights are available and
appropriate for your unit.
Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.
In addition to front and rear weights, use extra caution
when operating on slopes with rear-mounted grass
catcher.
Mow UP and DOWN the slope, never across the
face, use caution when changing directions and DO
NOT START OR STOP ON SLOPE.
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. They may fall off and be seri-
ously injured or interfere with safe unit operation.
• Never allow children to operate the unit.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
vision.
EMISSIONS
• Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
• Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and
Air Index information on the engine emissions label.
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