Slope Operation - Toro 74301 Operator's Manual

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields when operating mower.
• 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
• Always follow the recommendations for wheel weights
or counterweights.

Slope Operation

• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.
• Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips, and rises that
change the operating angle, as rough terrain could
overturn the machine.
• Choose a low ground speed so you will not have to stop
while operating on a slope.
• Do not mow slopes when grass is wet. Slippery
conditions reduce traction and could cause sliding and
loss of control.
• Always keep the machine in gear when going down
slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.
• Do not make sudden turns or rapid speed changes.
• Use a walk behind mower and/or a hand trimmer near
drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or water.
• Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs,
etc. from the mowing area. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Avoid sudden starts when mowing uphill because the
mower may tip backwards.
• Be aware that loss of traction may occur going
downhill. Weight transfer to the front wheels may cause
drive wheels to slip and cause loss of braking and
steering.
• Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If
tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly off the slope.
• Use extreme care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine and cause loss of control.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or
water. Wheels dropping over edges can cause rollovers,
which may result in serious injury, death or drowning.
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.
• Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the
area.
• Before and while backing or changing direction, look
behind, down, and side–to–side for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the blades off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation.
• Children who have been given rides in the past may
suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the mower.
• Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, the end of a fence or other objects that may
obscure vision.
Service
• Use extra care when handling gasoline and other fuels.
They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove the gas cap or add fuel when the
engine is running. Allow the engine 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 near a water
heater or furnace.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer with a plastic liner. Always place containers
on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or
trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not
possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser
nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel
tank or container opening at all times until the
fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open
device.
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