Slope Operation - MTD Series 060 Operator's Manual

• Do netengage the self-propelled mechanism o n
units soequipped while starting engine.
• Theblade control handle i s a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass i tsoperation. Doing so makes
the safetydevice inoperative andmayresultin
personal injury through contact withthe rotating
blade.The bladecontrol h andlemustoperate
easily inbothdirections andautomatically return to
thedisengaged position w hen released.
• Never o perate t hemower in wetgrass. Always b e
sureof yourfooting. A slipandfall cancause
serious personal injury. K eepa firmholdon the
handle andwalk,never r un.If youfeelyouare
losing your footing,RELEASE THE BLADE
CONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATELY andtheblade
willstop rotating within t hree seconds.
• Mow onlyindaylight orgood artificial light.
• Stop theblade when crossing g ravel drives, walks
orroads.
• Ifthe
equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
• Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes
to a complete stop before removing the grass
catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade
continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body
in the blade area until you are sure the blade has
stopped rotating.
• Never operate mower without proper guards, grass
catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in
place,
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn, Do not touch.
• Only use accessories approved for this machine by
the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all
instructions provided with the approved accessory.
• If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment, Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone 1-800-800-7310
for the name of your nearest dealer.
2. SLOPE OPERATION
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:
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction
on slopes,
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your balance release the blade control
handle immediately and the blade will stop in less
than 3 seconds.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-offs_ ditches or
embankments. The operator could Iose footing or
balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could
cause slipping.
3. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
mower 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 a responsible adult other than
the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the
area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children or other objects.
• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the
mower. Children 14 years of age and above should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or hazard,
4. SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine
is running. Allow engine to cool at least two
minutes before refueling.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may
cause a fire or explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition
• Never refuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.
• Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame or spark such as a
gas water heater, space beater, or furnace.
• Never run an engine inside a closed area.
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