Safety Instructions - Operating
11
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 op-
erating the machine. Keep feet on the deck foot-
rests at all times when the tractor is moving and/
or mower blades are operating.
Never operate
the tractor without a deck or imple ment in-
stalled.
3. For a beginning operator,
learn to steer (ma-
neuver) the tractor with a slow engine speed
before attempting any mowing oper ation.
Be
aware that, with the front mounted mower con-
figuration, 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 forward
motion of the tractor can always be stopped by
pulling the Forward Speed Control (FSC) into the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position.
5. In case the transmission drive belt breaks during
operation, and if the machine is on a slope, the
machine will freewheel down the slope.
To main-
tain control,
immediately (1) Release the steer-
ing levers and simultaneously (2) Move the FSC
to the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position. When the ma-
chine is stopped or moving slowly, engage the
parking brake.
NOTE:
This is exactly the same procedure used
to normally stop and park the machine.
6. Disengage the blade clutch and put the FSC in
the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position 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 pres-
ence safety switch system is not working.
Verify proper operation by having the operator lift
off the seat with the engine running and moving
two controls, one at a time; (1) Move the FSC
lever out of the
NEUTRAL-PARK
position, and
(2) Engage the PTO Clutch. Moving either con-
trol should stop the engine after a 1/2 second
delay.
8.
Do not run the engine in a confined area with
-
out 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 backing
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 roadways.
12. When moving forward,
do not
suddenly put the
tractor in reverse by rapidly pulling on the steer-
ing levers, especially when going downhill, as
this can lift the tractor tail wheel off the ground
and set up a bucking motion due to operator over-
control. 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 drive the tractor within 5 feet
(1.5 meters) of an embankment or retaining
wall with drop off.
