4
Safety Rules
Slope Operation Continued
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 seriously 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.
TOWING
• Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
• 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.
TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE
• Always observe safe refueling and fuel handling practices when
refueling the tractor after transportation or storage.
• Always follow the engine manual instructions for storage prepara-
tions before storing the tractor for both short and long term periods.
• Always follow the engine manual instructions for proper start-up
procedures when returning the unit to service.
• Never store the unit or fuel container inside where there is an open
flame or pilot light, such as in a water heater. Allow unit to cool
before storing.
EMISSIONS
• Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known, in
certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth defects, or other repro-
ductive harm.
• Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and Air Index
information on the engine emissions label.
WARNING
When transporting this tractor on an open trailer,
make sure unit is facing forward, toward the direction
of travel. If tractor is facing backward, wind lift could
cause damage to the hood.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flam-
mable and vapors are explosive.
a)
Use only an approved container.
b)
Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the
engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Do not
smoke.
c)
Never refuel the unit indoors.
• If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start the engine but move the
machine away from the area of spillage and avoid creating any
source of ignition until petrol vapors have dissipated.
• Replace all fuel tank caps and fuel container caps securely.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck bed with a plastic
bed liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your
vehicle before filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel
it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.
• Keep nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container
opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle
lock-open device.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as necessary.
• Never run a unit in an enclosed area.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and
keep equipment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly and make necessary repairs if they are not functioning
properly.
• Keep unit free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up
oil or fuel spillage.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if
necessary, before restarting.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running unless
specified otherwise in the engine manufacturer’s manual.
• Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage, and dete-
rioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be
thrown. Frequently check components and replace with manufac-
turer’s recommended parts, when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required.
• Use only factory authorized replacement parts when making
repairs.
• Always comply with factory specifications on all settings and
adjustments.
• Only authorized service locations should be utilized for major ser-
vice and repair requirements.
• Never attempt to make major repairs on this unit unless you have
been properly trained. Improper service procedures can result in
hazardous operation, equipment damage and voiding of manufac-
turer’s warranty.
• On multiple blade mowers, take care as rotating one blade can
cause other blades to rotate.
• Do not change engine governor settings or over-speed the engine.
Operating the engine at excessive speed can increase the hazard
of personal injury.
• Disengage drive attachments, stop the engine, remove the key,
and disconnect the spark plug wire(s) before: clearing attachment
blockages and chutes, performing service work, striking an object,
or if the unit vibrates abnormally. After striking an object, inspect
the machine for damage and make repairs before restarting and
operating the equipment.
• Never place hands near the hydro pump cooling fan when the trac-
tor is running. Cooling fan is located on top of the transaxle
