27. Use only accessories and attachments approved for
this machine by the machine manufacturer. Read,
understand and follow all instructions provided with
the approved accessory or attachment.
28. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and
above, are involved in a large percentage of riding
mower-related injuries. These operators should
evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely
enough to protect themselves and others from serious
injury.
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
customer service representative for assistance.
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 mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of
this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit
on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15
degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate
this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
Do:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise
extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting
so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though
the brakes are functioning properly. Always keep
machine in gear when going down slopes to take
advantage of engine braking action.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. These can change the stability of the machine.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front
of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards
which could cause serious injury.
7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
Do Not:
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over
the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-
speeding may cause the operator to lose control of
the machine resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g.
loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater
than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the extra
weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you
to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed up, braking
and steering ability are reduced, attachment may
jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn).
Children
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not
alert to the presence of children. Children are often
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.
They do not understand the dangers. Never assume
that children will remain where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of a responsible adult other than
the operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters
the area.
c. Before and while backing, look behind and
down for small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s)
shut off. They may fall off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
e. Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other
objects that may block your vision of a child
who may run into the machine.
f.
To avoid back-over accidents, always
disengage the cutting blade(s) before
shifting into Reverse. If equipped, the
“Reverse Caution Mode” should not be
used when children or others are around.
g. Keep children away from hot or running
engines. They can suffer burns from a hot
muffler.
h. Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
2. Never allow children under 14 years old to oper-
ate this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the instructions and
safe operation practices in this manual and on the
machine and should be trained and supervised by a
adult.
Towing
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 manufacturers recommendation for
weight limits for towed equipment and towing on
slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equip-
ment.
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 downhill.
Safe
Operation
Practices
This symbol points
out important safety
instructions which, if
not followed, could
endanger the personal
safety and/or property
of yourself and others.
Read and follow all
instructions in this man-
ual before attempting to
operate this machine.
Failure to comply with
these instructions
may result in personal
injury. When you see
this symbol,
HEED ITS
WARNING.
Your
Responsibility
Restrict the use
of this power machine
to persons who read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual and on
the machine.
