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°
']'urn off blades
when not mowing,
o Stop engine
before
removing
grass
catcher or unclogging
chute.
° Mow only in daylight
or good artificial
light.
, Do not operate
the machine
while under
the influence
of alcohol
or drugs,
° 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 loss-
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 feel uneasy on
it, do not mow iL
DO:
° Mow up and down slopes,
not across.
° Remove
obstacles
such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
° Watch for holes,
rats, or bumps.
Uneven
terrain could overturn
the machine.
Tal!
grass can hide obstacles.
o Use stow speed.
Choose a low gear so
that you will not have to stop or shift
while on the slope.
o Follow the manufacturer's
recommem
dations for wheel
weights
or counter-
weights
to improve
stability°
° Use extra care with grass catchers
or
other attachments.
These can change
the stability
of the machine.
Keep all movement
on the slopes slow
and gradual.
Do not make sudden
changes
in speed
or direction.
o Avoid starting
or stopping
on a slope. If
tires lose ti'action, disengage
the blades
and proceed
slowly straight
down the
slope,
DO NOT:
° Do notturn
on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly
and gradually
downhill,
if possible,
° Do not mow near drop-offs,
ditches,
or
embankments.
Tl_e mower could sud-
denly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff or ditch_ or if an edge
caves in.
° Do not mow on wet grass.
Reduced
traction
could cause sliding.
° Do not try to stabilize
the machine
by
putting your foot on the ground.
,
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 seriously
injured or interfere
with
safe machine
operation,
° Never allow children
to operate
the
machine.
o 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.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition.
,, Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up, Clean oil or fue!
spillage. Allow machine to coot before
stodng.
° Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
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