D21d
Safety Instructions
13
OPERATING
1.
Operate the mower only in daylight
or in
good artificial light with good visibility of the
area being mowed.
2. Sit on the seat when starting the engine and
operating the machine. Keep feet on the deck
footrests at all times when the tractor is mov-
ing and/or mower blades are operating.
Nev-
er operate the tractor without a deck or
imple ment installed.
3.
For a beginning operator,
learn to steer (ma-
neuver) the tractor with a slow engine
speed before attempting any mowing op-
eration.
Be aware that, with the front mount-
ed mower configuration, the back of the tractor
swings to the outside during turns.
DANGER
Do not mow around overhanging tree
branches or bushes at the same height as
the operator’s torso and head where inad-
vertent contact may cause injury.
4. Remember, for an emergency stop, the for-
ward motion of the tractor can always be
stopped by pulling the Forward Speed Control
(FSC) into the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position.
5. In case either of the transmission drive belts
break during operation, and if the machine is
on a slope, the machine will freewheel down
the slope.
To maintain control,
immediately
(1) Release the steering levers and simultane-
ously (2) Move the FSC to the
NEUTRAL-
PARK
position. When the machine is stopped
or moving slowly, engage the parking brake.
NOTE:
The emergency stop procedure is
exactly the same procedure as used to nor-
mally stop and park this machine.
6. Disengage the blade clutch, put the FSC in the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position, and engage the
Parking Brake before starting the engine (an
ignition interlock switch normally prevents
starting of the machine if these controls are in
the
OPERATING
position).
7.
Do not operate machine if the operator
presence safety switch system is not work-
ing.
Verify proper operation by having the
operator lift off the seat with the engine run-
ning and moving three controls, one at a time;
(1) Move the FSC lever out of the
NEUTRAL-
PARK
position, (2) Engage the PTO Clutch,
and (3) Disengage the Parking Brake. Moving
any of these controls should stop the engine
after a 1/2 second delay.
8.
Do not run the engine in a confined area
without adequate ventilation.
Exhaust
fumes are hazardous and can be deadly.
9.
Do not carry passengers -
maximum seating
capacity is one (1) person.
10. Watch for holes, rocks, and roots in the terrain
and for other hidden hazards. When mowing
tall grass, mow higher than desired to expose
any hidden obstacles. Then, clean the area
and mow to the desired height.
11.
Avoid sudden starts or stops.
Before back-
ing the machine up, look to the rear to be sure
no one is behind the machine. Watch carefully
for traffic when crossing or working near road-
ways.
12. When moving forward,
do not
suddenly put
the tractor in reverse by rapidly pulling on the
steering levers, especially when going down-
hill, as this can lift the tractor tail wheel off the
ground and set up a bucking motion due to
operator overcontrol. If bucking does occur,
immediately stop the bucking action by pulling
the Forward Speed Control (FSC) lever into
the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position.
13. Disengage the blade drive when transporting
the machine across drives, sidewalks, etc.
Never raise the mower deck while blades
are rotating.
DANGER
Do not mow or dump grass within 5 feet
(1.5 meters) of an embankment or retaining
wall with drop off.
