Slope Operation - Cub Cadet 3185 Operator's Manual

2. 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.
DO:
• Mow up and down slopes, not
across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks,
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps.
Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine. Tall
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low
enough gear so that you will not have
to stop or shift while on the slope.
Always keep machine in gear when
going down slopes to take advantage
of engine braking action.
• Follow the
recommendations for wheel weights
or counterweights
stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or
other attachments.
change the stability of the machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes
slow and gradual. Do not make
sudden changes
direction. Rapid
braking could cause the front of the
machine to lift and rapidly flip over
backwards which
serious injury.
grass can hide
manufacturers
to improve
These can
in speed or
engagement or
could cause
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope.
If tires lose traction, disengage the
blade(s) and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do not turn
necessary; then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches
or 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.
• 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.
3. 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 in watchful care of an adult other
than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if
children enter the area.
• Before and when backing, look
behind and down for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the
blades off. They may fall off and be
seriously injured or interfere with the
safe machine operation.
• Never allow children under 14 years
old to operate the machine. Children
14 years and over should only
operate machine
parental supervision
instruction.
• Use extra care when approaching
blind corners, shrubs, trees or other
objects that may obscure your vision
of a child or other hazard.
4
on slopes unless
under close
and proper