7
Safety
Operator Safety
spark arrester. It is a violation of California Public
Resource Code Section 4442 to use or operate the
engine on or near any forest-covered, brush-covered, or
grass-covered land unless the exhaust system is
equipped with a spark arrester meeting any applicable
local or state laws. Other states or federal area may
have similar laws.
26. OSHA regulations may require the use of hearing
protection when exposed to sound levels greater than 85
dBA for an 8 hour time period.
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.
Do
1. Mow across slopes, not up and down.
2. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
3. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
4. Use slow speed. Choose a slow speed so that you will
not have to stop or change speed while on the slope.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.
These can change the stability of the unit.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
7. See your authorized dealer for recommendations of
available weights to improve stability.
Do Not
1. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires
lose traction (i.e. machine stops forward motion on a
slope), disengage the blade(s) (PTO) and drive slow off
the slope.
2. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually uphill, if possible. Never mow
down slopes.
3. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The operator could lose footing or balance or mower
could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a
cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
4. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing or traction
could cause sliding.
5. Do not try to stabilize the unit by putting your foot on
the ground. (ride-on units)
6. Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
7. Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
8. Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.
TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS)
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 manufacturer’s recommendations for weight
limit for towed equipment and towing on slopes. See
attaching a trailer under OPERATION.
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 down hill.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the unit
and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.
2. Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.
3. Before and during reverse operation, look behind and
down for small children.
4. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
safe unit operation. Children who have been given rides
in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed over by the
machine.
5. Never allow children to operate the unit.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
EMISSIONS
1. Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
2. Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and Air
Index information on the engine emissions label.
IGNITION SYSTEM (GASOLINE MODELS)
1. This spark ignition system complies with Canadian
ICES-002.
CAUTION
This machine produces sound levels in
excess of 85 dBA at the operator’s ear and
can cause hearing loss though extended
periods of exposure.
Wear hearing protection when operating this machine.
WARNING
Never operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees which
is a rise of 5.4 feet (165 cm) vertically in 20 feet (607
cm) horizontally.
Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.
Use extra caution when operating on slopes with rear-
mounted grass catchers.
Mow across the face of slopes, not up and down, use
caution when changing directions and DO NOT START
OR STOP ON SLOPE.
