Cub Cadet GT 2554 Operator's Manual page 4

18. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
19. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine
and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop
before removing the grass catcher, emptying grass,
unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or
making any adjustments.
20. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
turn off the blades, place the transmission in neutral,
set the parking brake, stop the engine and remove
key before dismounting.
21. Use extra care when loading or unloading the ma-
chine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be
driven up or down ramp(s) because the unit could tip
over causing serious personal injury. The unit must
be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or unload
properly.
22. The Muffler, engine, and surrounding metal surfac-
es become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
23. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving
under low hanging tree branches, wires, door open-
ings etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled
from the unit, which could cause a serious injury.
24. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the
brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before
attempting to start the engine.
25. Your mower is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt to
mow 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 or presenting a potential fire hazard.
26. Use only accessories approved for this machine by
Cub Cadet. Read, understand and follow all
instructions provided with the approved accessory.
27. 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.
28. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
customer service representative for assistance.
II. 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°
as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on
that area or serious injury could result.
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise ex-
treme caution when changing directions on slopes.
2. Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc. Watch
for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could over-
turn 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 the machine in gear when going down slopes
to take advantage of engine braking action.
4. Follow 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 the tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or
if an edge caves in.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
4. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
5. Do not use the grass catcher on steep slopes.
6. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g.
loaded dump cart, lawn roller) 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 are reduced, attachment may
jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn.
III. 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. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful
care of an adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter
the area.
4
DO:
DO NOT:
near drop-offs, ditches or