SAFETY RULES
A S'F OP"A"ONPRAC C S O.R,O -ONMOW.S&
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THR'OWING OBJECTS.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
Read, understand,and followall instructionsinthe manual
and on the machine before starting.
• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
instructions,to operate the machine.
• Clear the area ofobjectssuch es rocks,toys,wire, etc.,
which couldbe picked up and thrown by the blade.
• Be sure the area isclear ofotherpeople before mow=ng.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Never carry psssengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessery.
Always lookdown and behindbefore and while backing.
• Be aware ofthernowerdischargedirectionanddo notpeint
itat anyone. Do notoperate the mower withouteither the
entire grass catcher or the guard in place.
• Slowdown before turning.
• Never leave a runningmachineunattended. Always tum
off blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove
keys before dismounting.
• Turn offbladeswhen notmowing.
• Stopenginebefore removinggrasscatcherorunclnggjng
chute.
• Mow only indaylight or good artificiallight.
• Do notoperate the machine whileunder the influenceof
alcoholordrugs.
• Watch for trafficwhen operating near or crossing road-
ways.
• Use extracerewhen loadingorunloedingthe machine into
a trailerortruck.
• Dataindicatesthat operators,age 60 yearsandabove, are
involved in a large percentage of ridingmower-related
injuries. These operators should evaluate their abilityto
operate the ridingmower safely enough to protectthem-
selves and others from seriousinjury.
• Keep rnachinefree ofgrass, leaves orotherdebrtsbuild-
up which can touch hot exhaust/ engine parts and bum.
Do not allow the mower deck to plow leaves
orother debriswhich can cause build-uptooccur. Clean
any oil or fuel spillage before operating or storing the
machine. Allow machine to cool before
storage.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
SIo_. are a majorfactorrslatedto loss-of-controland tipever
accidents,whichcanresultin severeinjuryor death. All slopes
requireextracaution.Ifyoucannotback uptheslopeorif youfeel
ucaasyon it,do notmowit.
DO:
• Mow upand down slopes, not across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overtum the machine. Tallgrass can hide Gbstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a lowgear so that you will not
have tostop or shiftwhile on the slope.
• Followthe manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweightsto improve stability.
• Use extracare withgrass catchers or otherattachments.
These can change the stabilityof the machine.
• Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual. DO
not make suddenchanges in speed ordirection.
2
• Avoidstartingorstoppingon aslope. Iftireslosetraction,
disengage the blades and proceed slowlystraightdown
the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do not rum on slopes unlessnecessary, and then, rum
slowty and graduallydownhill, ifpe_ible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The mower couldsuddenlyrumover if a wheel isOverthe
edge of a cliffor ditch,or if an edge caves in.
• Do not mow onwet grass. Reducedtraction couldcause
sliding.
• Do not trytostabilizethe machine by puttingyour foot on
theground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidentscan occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
machine andthe mowing activity.Neverassumethatchildren
will remain where you lest saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchfulcare of another responsibleadult.
• Be alert and turn machine offit childrenenter the area.
• Beforeandwhen becking,lookbehind and downforsmall
children.
• Never carry children. They may falloff and beseriously
injured orinterfere with safe machineoperation.
• Never allow childrento operatethe machine.
• Use extracare when approachingblindcomers, shrubs,
trees, or other objectsthat may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
• Useextracera inhandlinggaselineand otherfuels. They
are flammable and vaporsare explosive.
- Use only an appreved container.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allowengine to cool before refueling. Do not
smoke.
- Never refuelthereachine indoors.
- Never storethe machine orfuelcontainer insidewhere
there is an open flame, suchas a water heater.
• Never run a machine insidea closed area.
• Keep nuts and bolts,especially blade attachment belts,
tightand keep equipment ingoodcondition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operationregularly.
• Keep rnachinefree of grass, leaves, orotherdebrisbuild-
up. Clean oilorfuelspillage. Allowmachine tocoolbefore
storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strikean object.
Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine
running.
• Grasscatchercoreponents are subjectto wear, damage,
and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or
allow objectstobethrown. Frequentlycheckcomponents
and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts,
when necessa_.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wraptheblade(s)
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.
