Maintenance And Storage; Slope Operation - Toro 23518 Operator's Manual

WARNING
Hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories can
become entangled in rotating parts. Contact
with the rotating parts can cause traumatic
amputation or severe lacerations.
– Do Not operate the machine without guards,
shields, and safety devices in place and
working properly.
– Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, or clothing
away from rotating parts.
•
Never carry passengers. Do not operate the machine
when people, especially children, or pets are in the area.
•
Be alert, slow down and use caution when making turns.
Look behind and to the side before changing directions.
•
Raise the tines, slow down, and use caution when crossing
surfaces other than grass and when transporting the
machine to and from the work area.
•
Do not operate the machine under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
•
Use extreme care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
•
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure vision.

Slope Operation

Use extreme caution when aerating and/or turning on slopes
as loss of traction and/or tip-over could occur. The operator
is responsible for safe operation on slopes.
DANGER
Operating on wet grass or steep slopes can cause
sliding and loss of control. Wheels dropping over
edges, ditches, steep banks, or water can cause
rollovers, which may result in serious injury, death
or drowning.
• Do not operate on slopes when grass is wet.
• Do not operate near drop-offs or near water.
• Do not operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Reduce speed and use extreme caution on
slopes.
• Avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.
•
Reduce tine down pressure to prevent the drive tires from
raising off the ground and to prevent the front tires from
raising off of the ground while aerating uphill.
•
Refer to Figure 3 to determine the approximate slope
angle of the area to be aerated.
•
Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
from the working area. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
•
Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips and rises that change
the operating angle, as rough terrain could overturn the
machine.
•
Avoid sudden starts when aerating uphill because the
machine may tip backwards. The machine is more stable
going uphill with the tines disengaged.
•
Be aware that operating on wet grass, across steep slopes
or downhill may cause the machine to lose traction. Loss
of traction to the drive wheels may result in sliding and a
loss of braking and steering.
•
Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope.
•
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counter weights to improve stability.
•
Use extreme care with attachments. These can change the
stability of the machine and cause loss of control.

Maintenance and Storage

•
Raise the tines, set the parking brake, stop engine and
remove key or disconnect spark plug wire. Wait for all
movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning or repairing.
•
Keep engine and engine area free from excessive grease
or oil and other debris which can accumulate in these
areas. These materials can become combustible and may
result in a fire.
•
Let engine cool before storing and do not store near
flame or any enclosed area where open pilot lights or heat
appliances are present.
•
Shut off fuel while storing or transporting. Do not store
fuel near flames or drain indoors.
•
Park machine on level, hard ground. Never allow
untrained personnel to service machine.
•
Use jack stands to support components when required.
•
Carefully release pressure from components with stored
energy.
•
Disconnect battery or remove spark plug wire before
making any repairs. Disconnect the negative terminal
first and the positive last. Reconnect positive first and
negative last.
•
Use care when checking and servicing tines. Wrap the
tine(s) or wear gloves, and use caution when servicing
them. Only replace damaged tines. Never straighten or
weld them.
•
Keep hands and feet away from moving parts. If possible,
do not make adjustments with the engine running.
•
Charge batteries in an open well ventilated area, away
from spark and flames. Unplug charger before connecting
or disconnecting from battery. Wear protective clothing
and use insulated tools.
6