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• Reduce your speed when operating over rough
terrain or near these hazards.
• Give yourself a minimum of two machine widths of
clearance around these hazards.
Do:
• Operate across slopes, NOT up and down.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a slow speed so that you will
not have to stop or change speed while on the slope.
• Use extra care with accessories. These can change the
stability of the unit.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
• See your authorized dealer for recommendations of
available weights to improve stability.
Do NOT:
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires
lose traction (i.e. machine stops forward motion on a
slope), stop. Get off and walk the machine slowly off the
slope.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually uphill, if possible. Never operate
straight down slopes.
• Do not operate near drop-offs, ditches, or embank-
ments. The operator could lose footing or balance or
machine could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
• Do not operate on wet grass. Reduced footing or trac-
tion could cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the unit by putting your foot on the
ground (ride-on units).
• Do not operate excessively steep slopes.
• Do not operate on slopes if you cannot back up them.
Operating on Slopes
Learn how to operate the Venture on slopes and use your
body position to improve traction and control of the ma-
chine.
Operator Safety
Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Slopes are a major
factor related to accidents, which can result in severe injury
or death. Using the unit on a slope that is too steep where
you do not have adequate wheel traction (and control) can
cause sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible roll-
over. If you feel unsure about operating the unit on a slope,
don’t do it. It’s not worth the risk.
• This machine has a high center of gravity and may be-
come unstable on slopes. Always lean towards the slope
of a hill when operating on slopes and lean towards the
center of turn when changing directions on slopes.
• Operation on wet grass especially when going up and
down slopes can cause loss of traction, sliding, loss of
steering, control, and possible rollover.
Operate across slopes, NOT up and down slopes:
• Lean your body slightly rearward and towards the uphill
side drive wheel, while keeping a firm grip on the control
levers. This body position adds more weight to the uphill
side drive wheel to maximize traction and control.
• Do NOT accelerate quickly, as this may cause the ma-
chine’s front wheels to come off the ground.
• Always be very gentle operating the controls, travel at a
slower speed than normal.
Operate up and down slopes, ONLY if you cannot operate
across slopes
• It is recommended to operate up or down slopes only
when you cannot operate across slopes.
• Operation down slopes can be dangerous and cause
sliding, loss of steering, control, and possible rollover. Do
NOT operate down a slope unless absolutely necessary.
• Operate up the slope and lean your body forward
(towards the control panel), while keeping a firm grip on
the control levers. This body position helps keep the front
wheels on the ground.
• Operate down the slope and lean your body rearward
with your arms out-stretched, while keeping a firm grip on
the handlebar. This body position adds more weight to
the drive wheels and improves traction, downhill braking,
and control.
• Always be very gentle operating the controls, travel at a
slower speed than normal.
• Do NOT accelerate quickly or change speed or direc-
tion suddenly while operating, as this may cause the ma-
chine’s front wheels to come off the ground (up slopes)
and to reduce the tendency to cause the machine to slip
and slide (down slopes).
NOT
FOR
REPRODUCTION
