3
S
ection
2 — i
mportant
S
afe
o
peration
p
racticeS
Training
1.
Read the Operator’s manual and other training material. If
the operator(s) or mechanic(s) cannot read English it is the
owner’s responsibility to explain this material to them.
2.
Become familiar with the safe operation of the machine,
operator controls, and safety signs.
3.
All operators and mechanics should be trained to operate
or service the equipment. The owner is responsible for
training them.
4.
Never let children under the age of 16 or untrained people
operate or service the equipment. Local regulations may
further restrict the age of the operator.
5.
The owner/operator can prevent and is responsible for
accidents or injuries occurring to them, other people or
property.
General Operation
1.
Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place
for future and regular reference by each operator and for
ordering replacement parts.
2.
Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage the controls
quickly.
3.
Do not allow anyone to operate or maintain this machine
who has not read the manual. Never permit children under
the age of 16 to operate this machine.
4.
Do not remove any shields, guards, labels or safety devices.
If a shield, guard, label or safety device is damaged or
does not function, repair or replace it before operating the
machine.
5.
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet
from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
6.
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and other
foreign objects that could be picked up and thrown by the
blade(s). Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.
7.
Evaluate the terrain to determine what accessories and
attachments are needed to properly and safely perform
the job. Only use accessories and attachments approved
by the machine manufacturer.
8.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction
which may cause discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
9.
Always wear appropriate clothing and personal protective
equipment (e.g. safety glasses, long pants, gloves, hearing
protection , safety shoes, hard hat) when operating or
maintaining this machine. Long hair, loose fitting clothing
or jewelry may get entangled in moving parts. Follow all
federal, state and local guidelines regarding the use of
personal protective equipment.
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction
and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower
without the discharge cover or entire grass catcher in its
proper place.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate
hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads and while not cutting grass.
14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any
public roadway.
15. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
17. Never carry passengers.
18. Back up slowly. Always look down and behind before and
while backing to avoid a back-over accident.
19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly.
Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed. Be aware of
your direction of travel to avoid accidents.
20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and wait
until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before removing
grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging chute, removing
any grass or debris, or making any adjustments.
21. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always stop
on level ground, turn off blade(s), place drive speed control
levers in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove
key before leaving the operator position.
22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
on a trailer or truck. The machine should not be driven on
unstable, unsecured or inadequate ramps because the
machine could tip over causing serious personal injury.
23. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under
low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings etc.,
where the operator and/or ROPS may be struck which
could result in serious injury and/or machine tip over.
24. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do
not touch.
25. Disengage the blades, set the parking brake to the ‘ON’
position and make sure the speed control lever are in the
neutral position before attempting to start the engine.
Only start the engine from the operator’s position.
26. Do not attempt to mow unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may
contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on the mower
deck presenting a potential fire hazard.
27. Do not stop or park the machine over dry leaves, grass,
debris or other combustible material.
28. Never attempt to operate the machine without the
mowing deck attached; the machine could tip over.
29. Keep the machine and especially the engine exhaust
system and hydraulic components clean and free of grease,
grass and leaves to reduce the potential for overheating
and fire.
30. Allow the machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
31. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this
machine by the machine manufacturer. Read, understand
and follow all instructions provided with the approved
accessory or attachment.
