Toro TimeCutter ZX480, Operator'S Manual

4

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Turn off blades when not mowing. Stop the engine and

what for all parts to come to a complete stop before

cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher or

unclogging the discharge chute.

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Operate the machine only in daylight or good artificial

light.

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Do not operate the machine while under the influence

of alcohol or drugs.

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Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing

roadways.

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Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine

into a trailer or truck.

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Always wear eye protection when operating the mower.

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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

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Always follow the recommendations for wheel weights

or counterweights.

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents,

which can result in severe injury. Operation on all slopes

requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not

mow it.

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Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips, and rises that

change the operating angle, as rough terrain could

overturn the machine.

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Choose a low ground speed so you will not have to stop

while operating on a slope.

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Do not mow slopes when grass is wet. Slippery

conditions reduce traction and could cause sliding and

loss of control.

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Always keep the machine in gear when going down

slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.

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Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.

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Do not make sudden turns or rapid speed changes.

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Use a walk behind mower and/or a hand trimmer near

drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or water.

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Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs,

etc. from the mowing area. Tall grass can hide

obstacles.

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Avoid sudden starts when mowing uphill because the

mower may tip backwards.

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Be aware that loss of traction may occur going

downhill. Weight transfer to the front wheels may cause

drive wheels to slip and cause loss of braking and

steering.

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Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If

tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed

slowly off the slope.

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Use extreme care with grass catchers or other

attachments. These can change the stability of the

machine and cause loss of control.

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Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot

on the ground.

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Do not mow near drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or

water. Wheels dropping over edges can cause rollovers,

which may result in serious injury, death or drowning.

Children

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.

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Keep children out of the mowing area and under the

watchful care of another responsible adult, not the

operator.

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Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the

area.

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Before and while backing or changing direction, look

behind, down, and side–to–side for small children.

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Never carry children, even with the blades off. They

may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with

safe machine operation.

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Children who have been given rides in the past may

suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride

and be run over or backed over by the mower.

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Never allow children to operate the machine.

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Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,

trees, the end of a fence or other objects that may

obscure vision.

Towing

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Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for

towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the

hitch point.

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This product has a limited towing capacity for small

attachments up to 100 lbs; such as leaf sweepers and

spreaders. Towing of attachments should be limited to

flat ground.