4
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of
dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine
exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a
potential fire hazard.
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 an authorized
Service Dealer 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 attachments.
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. It may 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 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 may be reduced,
attachment may jack-knife and tractor may 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.Be alert and turn machine off if a child
enters area.
b.
Before and while backing, look behind and down
for small children.
c.
Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut
off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or
interfere with safe machine operation.
d.
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.
e.
Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in
reverse. The “No-Cut-In Reverse” feature is a
reminder not to cut in reverse and to help avoid
back over accidents. Do not defeat it.
f.
Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
g.
Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
8.
Never allow children under 14 years to operate the
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation and safety rules in this manual
and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
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 equipment.
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.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1.
To avoid personal injury or property damage
use
extreme care in handling gasoline.
Gasoline is
