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o Turn off blades
when not mowing°
o Stop engine before removing
grass
catcher
or unclogging
chute.
o Mow only in daylight
or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate
the machine while under
the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
o Watch for traffic when operating
near or
crossing
roadways.
o Use extra care when loading or unload-
ing the machine
into a trailer or truck.
SLOPE
OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to Ioss-_
of-control and tipover accidents,
which
can result in severe injury or death° All
slopes
require extra caution.
If you cannot
back up the slope or if you fee! uneasy on
it, do not mow it.
DO:
o Mow up and down slopes, not across.
° Remove
obstacles
such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
o Watch for hoies, ruts, or bumps. Uneven
terrain could overturn the machine.. Tall
grass can hide obstacles°
o Use slow speed. Choose
a tow gear so
that you will not have to stop or shift
while on the slope°
o Follow the manufacturer's
recommen-
dations for wheel weights
or counter-
weights
to improve
stability°
o Use extra care with grass catchers
or
other attachments
These can change
the stability
of the machine_
o Keep all movement
on the slopes stow
and gradual° Do not make sudden
changes
in speed or direction.
o Avoid starting
or stopping
on a slope. If
tires lose traction,
disengage
the blades
and proceed
slowly straight down the
slope°
DO NOT:
o Do not turn on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill,
if possible.
o Do not mow near drop-offs,
ditches,
or
embankments,
The mower could sud-
denly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge
caves
ino
° Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced
traction
could cause sliding_
o Do not try to stabilize
the machine
by
putting your foot on the ground.
o Do not use grass catcher
on steep
slopes.
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.
° Keep children
out of the mowing
area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible
adult°
o Be alert and turn machine
off if children
enter the area.
o Before
and when backing,
look behind
and down for small children.
° Never carry children.
They may fall off
and be sedously
injured or interfere with
safe machine
operation.
• Never allow children
to operate
the
machine.
° Use extra care when approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees, or other objects
that may obscure
vision.
SERVICE
o Use extra care in handling gasoline and
other fuels. They are flammable and
vapors are explosive.
-
Use only an approved
container.
-
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow en-.
gine to cool before refueling.
Do not
smoke.
-
Never refuel the machine
indoors.
Never store the machine
or fuel
container
inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater,,
o Never run a machine inside a closed
area°
o Keep nuts and bolts, especially
blade
attachment
bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition.
o Never tamper with safety devices°
Check their proper operation
regularly.
o Keep machine
free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up.
Clean oit or fuel
spillage.
Allow machine to cool before
storing.
° Stop and inspect the equipment
if you
strike an object° Repair, if necessary,
3
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