•
Keep the ROPS in safe operating condition by
thoroughly inspecting it periodically for damage
and keeping all the mounting fasteners tight.
•
Replace all damaged ROPS components. Do not
repair or alter them.
Machines with a Foldable
Roll Bar
•
Always use the seat belt with the roll bar in the
raised position.
•
The ROPS is an integral safety device. Keep a
folding roll bar in the raised and locked position,
and use the seat belt when operating the machine
with the roll bar in the raised position.
•
Lower a folding roll bar temporarily only when
necessary. Do not wear the seat belt when the
roll bar is folded down.
•
Be aware that there is no rollover protection when
a folded roll bar is in the down position.
•
Check the area that you will be mowing and never
fold down a folding roll bar in areas where there
are slopes, drop-offs, or water.
Slope Safety
•
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and rollover accidents, which can result in severe
injury or death. You are responsible for safe slope
operation. Operating the machine on any slope
requires extra caution.
•
Evaluate the site conditions to determine if the
slope is safe for machine operation, including
surveying the site. Always use common sense
and good judgment when performing this survey.
•
Review the slope instructions, listed below, for
operating the machine on slopes. Before you
operate the machine, review the site conditions to
determine whether you can operate the machine
in the conditions on that day and at that site.
Changes in the terrain can result in a change in
slope operation for the machine.
– Avoid starting, stopping, or turning the machine
on slopes. Avoid making sudden changes in
speed or direction. Make turns slowly and
gradually.
– Do not operate a machine under any conditions
where traction, steering, or stability is in
question.
– Remove or mark obstructions such as ditches,
holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
hazards. Tall grass can hide obstructions.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
– Be aware that operating the machine on wet
grass, across slopes, or downhill may cause
the machine to lose traction.
– Use extreme caution when operating
the machine near drop-offs, ditches,
embankments, water hazards, or other
hazards. The machine could suddenly roll over
if a wheel goes over the edge or the edge
caves in. Establish a safety area between the
machine and any hazard.
– Identify hazards at the base of the slope.
If there are hazards, mow the slope with a
pedestrian-controlled machine.
– If possible, keep the cutting units lowered to
the ground while operating on slopes. Raising
the cutting units while operating on slopes can
cause the machine to become unstable.
Lowering the Roll Bar
1.
Park the machine on a level surface, lower the
cutting units, engage the parking brake, shut off
the engine, and remove the key.
2.
Remove the hairpins from the roll-bar pins in the
pivot brackets of the lower roll-bar frame (
g348267
Figure 29
1.
Roll-bar pin
3.
Hairpin
2.
Pivot bracket upper (lower
roll-bar frame)
4.
Upper roll bar
3.
While supporting the weight of the upper roll bar,
remove the roll-bar pins from the pivot brackets
(
).
4.
Carefully lower the upper roll bar until it rests on
the stops of the lower roll-bar frame.
5.
Insert the roll-bar pins in the lower holes of the
pivot brackets (
21
