4
DO
:
1.
Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme
caution when changing direction on slopes.
2.
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
3.
Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so that
you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Tires may
lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning
properly. Always keep machine in gear when going down
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
4.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
5.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.
These can change the stability of the machine.
6.
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.
7.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the
slope.
DO NOT
:
1.
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.
2.
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, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3.
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the
ground.
4.
Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5.
Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause
sliding.
6.
Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding may
cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in
serious injury or death.
7.
Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump
cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When
going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and
may cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed up,
braking and steering ability are reduced, attachment may
jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn).
CHILDREN
1.
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. They do not understand the
dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
a.
Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
b.
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
c.
Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
d.
Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off.
They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe machine operation.
e.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may
block your vision of a child who may run into the
machine.
f.
Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in
reverse. The “No-Cut-In Reverse” feature is a
reminder not to cut in reverse and to help avoid back
over accidents. Do not defeat it.
g.
Keep children away from hot or running engines. They
can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
h.
Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent
unauthorized operation.
i.
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read
and understand the operation instructions and safety
rules in this manual and should be trained and
supervised by a parent.
TOWING
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 manufacturers recommendation for weight limits
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 downhill.
SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:
1.
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can
occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes
which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes
immediately.
a.
Use only an approved gasoline container.
b.
Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers
on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
c.
When practical, 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.
d.
Keep the 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.
e.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
f.
Never fuel machine indoors.
g.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is
hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
h.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½
inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel
expansion.
i.
Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes
before starting the engine.
k.
To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass,
leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel
spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.
l.
Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on
a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer
or other gas appliances.
m.
Allow a machine to cool at least 5 minutes before
storing.
