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8
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/retailer to determine
which weights are available and appropriate for your
unit.
Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.
In addition to front weights, use extra caution when
operating on slopes with rear-mounted grass catchers.
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.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.
2. Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.
3. Before and during reverse operation, look behind and
down for small children.
4. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They may
fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe unit
operation. Children who have been given rides in the past
may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the machine.
5. Never allow children to operate the unit.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-
over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.
Operation on all slopes requires 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 reasons
for loss of control are: insufficient tire grip on the ground,
speed too fast, inadequate braking, the type of machine
is unsuitable for its task, lack of awareness of the ground
conditions, incorrect hitching and load distribution.
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Choose a slow speed so that you will not have to stop or
change speeds while on the slope.
4. Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction.
5. Always keep unit in gear especially when traveling down
slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
6. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires
lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
7. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction, which
could cause the machine to rollover.
8. Use extra care while operating machines with grass
catchers or other attachments; they can affect the
stability of the unit. Do not use on steep slopes.
9. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on
the ground (ride-on units).
10. 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.
11. Do not use grass catchers on steep slopes.
12. Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.
13. See your authorized dealer/retailer for recommendations
of wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
14. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
15. Use slow speed. Tires may lose traction on slopes even
through the brakes are functioning properly.
16. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS)
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for weight
limit for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may
cause loss of traction and loss of control.
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.
