•
Operate the machine only in good visibility to avoid
holes or hidden hazards.
•
Avoid mowing on wet grass. Reduced traction
could cause the machine to slide.
•
Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting
units.
•
Look behind and down before backing up to be
sure of a clear path.
•
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure your
vision.
•
Stop the cutting units whenever you are not
mowing.
•
Slow down and use caution when making turns
and crossing roads and sidewalks with the
machine. Always yield the right-of-way.
•
Never run an engine in an area where exhaust
gasses are enclosed.
•
Never leave a running machine unattended.
•
Before leaving the operating position (including to
empty the catchers or to unclog the cutting units),
do the following:
– Park the machine on level ground.
– Disengage the cutting units and lower the
attachments.
– Engage the parking brake.
– Shut off the engine and remove the key.
– Wait for all moving parts to stop.
•
Operate the machine only in good visibility and
appropriate weather conditions. Do not operate
the machine when there is the risk of lightning.
Rollover Protection System
(ROPS) Safety
•
Do not remove any of the ROPS components from
the machine.
•
Ensure that the seat belt is attached and that you
can release it quickly in an emergency.
•
Always wear your seat belt.
•
Check carefully for overhead obstructions and do
not contact them.
•
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.
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.
Starting the Engine
1.
Sit on the seat, keep your foot off the traction
pedal so that it is in N
EUTRAL
, engage the parking
brake, set the engine-speed switch to the S
LOW
position, and ensure that the Enable/Disable
switch is in the D
ISABLE
position.
2.
Turn the key to the O
N
/P
REHEAT
position.
An automatic timer controls the preheat for
approximately 6 seconds.
3.
When the glow indicator dims, turn the key to the
S
TART
position. Release the key immediately
when the engine starts and allow it to return to
24
