Operation
•
Park the machine on level ground. Stop engine,
wait for all moving parts to stop, and remove key.
– Before checking, cleaning or working on the
mower.
– After striking a foreign object or abnormal
vibration occurs (inspect the mower for
damage and make repairs before restarting
and operating the mower).
– Before clearing blockages.
– Whenever you leave the mower. Do Not leave
a running machine unattended.
•
Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop:
– Before refueling.
– Before dumping the grass catcher.
– Before making height adjustments.
•
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. Never assume that children will remain
where you last saw them.
– Keep children out of the mowing area and
under the watchful care of another responsible
adult, not the operator.
– Be alert and turn the machine off if children
enter the area.
– Before and while backing or changing
direction, look behind, down, and side-to-side
for small children.
– Never allow children to operate the machine.
– Do Not carry children, even with the blades
shut off. Children could fall off and be
seriously injured or interfere with the safe
operation of the machine. Children that have
been given rides in the past could suddenly
appear in the working area for another ride and
be run over or backed over by the machine.
•
Do Not use the machine as a towing vehicle
unless it has a hitch installed. Attach towed
equipment to the machine only at the hitch point.
Slope Safety
•
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and rollover accidents, which can result in severe
injury or death. The operator is responsible for
safe slope operation. Operating the machine on
any slope requires extra caution. Before using the
machine on a slope, the operator must:
– Review and understand the slope instructions
in the manual and on the machine.
– Use an angle indicator to determine the
approximate slope angle of the area.
– Never operate on slopes greater than 15
degrees.
– Evaluate the site conditions of the day to
determine if the slope is safe for machine
operation. Use common sense and good
judgment when performing this evaluation.
Changes in the terrain, such as moisture, can
quickly affect the operation of the machine
on a slope.
•
Identify hazards at the base of the slope. Do
Not operate the machine near drop offs, ditches,
embankments, water or other hazards. The
machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel goes
over the edge or the edge collapses. Keep a safe
distance (twice the width of the machine) between
the machine and any hazard. Use a walk behind
machine or a hand trimmer to mow the grass in
these areas.
g221745
Figure 10
1.
Safe Zone-Use the mower here on slopes less than 15
degrees
2.
Danger Zone-Use a walk-behind mower and/or hand
trimmer on slopes greater than 15 degrees
3.
Water
4.
W=width of the machine
5.
Keep a safe distance (twice the width of the machine)
between the machine and any hazard.
24
