6
• Use extra care with grass catchers
or other attachments. These can
change the stability of the machine.
• 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.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a
slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do not turn on slopes unless
necessary; then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.
• 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.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced
traction could cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine
by putting your foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep
slopes.
3. CHILDREN
• 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. Never assume that
children will remain where you last
saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing
area and in watchful care of an adult
other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if
children enter the area.
• Before and when backing, look
behind and down for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the
blades off. They may fall off and be
seriously injured or interfere with the
safe machine operation.
• Never allow children under 14 years
old to operate the machine. Children
14 years and over should only
operate machine under close
parental supervision and proper
instruction.
• Use extra care when approaching
blind corners, shrubs, trees or other
objects that may obscure your vision
of a child or other hazard.
• Remove key when machine is
unattended to prevent unauthorized
operation.
4. SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling
gasoline and other fuels. They are
extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove fuel cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow
engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
• Replace fuel cap securely and wipe
off any spilled fuel before starting
the engine as it may cause a fire or
explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars,
pipes and other sources of ignition.
• Never refuel the machine indoors
because fuel vapors will accumulate
in the area.
• Never store the fuel container or
machine inside where there is an
open flame or spark, such as a gas
hot water heater, space heater or
furnace.
• Never run a machine inside a closed
area.