9
Operator Safety
C
D
A
B
Slope Identification Guide
How to measure the slope of a lawn surface with
a smartphone or angle finder tool:
WARNING
Do not operate on slopes greater than 12 degrees.
1. Use a straight edge at least two (2) feet long (A, Figure
4). A 2x4 or a straight piece of metal works well.
2. Angle finder tools.
a. Use your smartphone: Many smartphones (B, Figure
4) have an inclinometer (angle finder) located under the
compass application (app). Or, search an app store for
an Inclinometer app.
b Use angle finder tools: Angle finder tools (C & D,
Figure 4) are available at local hardware stores or online
(also called inclinometer, protractor, angle meter, or an-
gle gauge). Dial type (C) or digital type (D) work, others
may not. Follow user instructions with the angle finder
tool.
3. Place the two (2) feet long straight edge along the steep-
est part of the lawn slope. Place the board up and down the
slope.
4. Lay the smartphone or angle finder tool on the straight
edge and read the angle in degrees. This is the slope of
your lawn.
Note: A paper gauge slope identification guide is included
in your product literature packet and is also available to
download from the manufacturer’s website (ferrismowers.
com).
4
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-
over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.
All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the
slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not drive on it.
DANGER: LOSS OF CONTROL
Operating on slopes can be hazardous and cause loss of
control.
• Avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.
• If machine stops forward motion on a slope, stop. Get
off and walk the machine slowly off the slope.
• Operate across slopes, NOT up and down.
• Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.
• Do NOT operate on slopes when grass is wet.
• Do NOT operate on slopes over 12* degrees.
• Reduce your speed and minimize the weight of your
load (in the hopper and volume in the tanks) when operat-
ing on hills or rough terrain to avoid possible instability,
tipping or rollover of the machine.
DANGER
Wet or soft slope hazard:
• Wet or soft slopes can cause sliding and loss of control
• Do NOT operate on slopes when grass is wet. Tires
may lose traction and cause sliding and loss of control.
• Do NOT operate on slopes when soil is soft (such as af-
ter heavy rains). Tires may lose traction and cause sliding
and loss of control.
DANGER
Water, retaining walls and drop-off hazard:
• Wheels dropping over edges may result in serious
injury, death and drowning.
• Do NOT operate near water, retaining walls, drop-
offs or embankments. The machine could suddenly
roll over if a wheel goes over the edge or the edge
breaks away.
* This limit was determined per International Standard ISO
5395-3:2013, Section 4.6 and is based on the ISO 5395-3
Stability Test procedure described in Annex A. The 20 de-
gree “limit of stability” is equal to 60% of the angle at which
machine lift-off occurred in static tests. Actual dynamic
stability may vary depending on operating conditions.
NOT
FOR
REPRODUCTION
