Toro 30672 Operator's Manual page 13

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Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if
you slip and contact the blade. Avoid mowing in
wet conditions.
•
Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting
unit.
•
Look behind and down before backing up to be
sure of a clear path.
•
Use extreme care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
block your view.
•
Disengage the drive to the cutting unit and engage
the parking brake before adjusting the height of
cut.
•
Operate the engine only in well-ventilated areas.
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which
is lethal if inhaled.
•
Do not leave a running machine unattended.
•
Before leaving the operating position (including to
empty the catchers or to unclog the cutting units),
do the following:
– Park the machine on level ground.
– Disengage the cutting unit and lower the
attachments.
– Engage the parking brake.
– Shut off the machine and remove the ignition
key (if equipped).
– Wait for all moving parts to stop.
– Shut off the machine and disengage the drive
to the cutting unit in the following situations:
◊ Before fueling
◊ Before clearing blockages
◊ Before checking, cleaning, or maintaining
the cutting unit
◊ After striking a foreign object or if an
abnormal vibration occurs. Inspect the
cutting unit for damage and make repairs
before starting and operating the machine
◊ Before leaving the operating position
– Use only accessories and attachments
approved by The Toro® Company.
– Be sure of your footing while using this
machine, especially when backing up. Walk;
do not run.
– Never operate with the discharge deflector
raised, removed or altered, unless you are
using a grass catcher.
– Never carry passengers on the machine.
– Do not direct the discharge material toward
anyone. Avoid discharging material against
a wall or obstruction; material may ricochet
toward you. Stop the blade(s) when crossing
gravel surfaces.
– Start the engine carefully according to
instructions and with your feet well away from
the blade(s) and not in front of the discharge
chute.
– Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling
the machine toward you.
– Stop the blade if you must transport the
machine to and from the mowing area and
when crossing surfaces other than grass.
Slope Safety
•
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and rollover accidents, which can result in severe
injury or death. You are responsible for safe slope
operation. Operating the machine on any slope
requires extra caution. Before using the machine
on a slope, do the following:
– Review and understand the slope instructions
in the manual and on the machine.
– Evaluate the site conditions of the day to
determine if the slope is safe for machine
operation. Use common sense and good
judgment when performing this evaluation.
Changes in the terrain, such as moisture, can
quickly affect the operation of the machine on
a slope.
•
Operate across slopes, never up and down. Avoid
operation on excessively steep or wet slopes.
Poor footing could cause a slip-and-fall accident.
•
Identify hazards at the base of the slope. Do
not operate the machine near drop-offs, ditches,
embankments, water, or other hazards. The
machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel goes
over the edge or the edge collapses. Keep a safe
distance between the machine and any hazard.
Use a handheld tool to operate in these areas.
•
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning the machine on
slopes. Avoid making sudden changes in speed or
direction; turn slowly and gradually.
•
Do not operate a machine under any conditions
where traction, steering or stability is in question.
Be aware that operating the machine on wet
grass, across 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. The machine can slide even
if the drive wheels are stopped.
•
Remove or mark obstacles such as ditches, holes,
ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden hazards. Tall
grass can hide obstacles. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine.
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