Toro 71428 Operator's Manual page 4

• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
• 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
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.
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks or other hidden
obstacles. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Choose a low ground speed so you will not have to stop
or shift while on a slope.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction.
• Always keep the machine in gear when going down
slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Avoid starting, stopping or turning on a slope. If tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
• Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not
make sudden changes in speed or direction, which could
cause the machine to roll over.
• Use extra care while operating mower with grass
catchers or other attachments; they can affect the
stability of the machine. Do not use on steep slopes.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The machine could suddenly turn over if a wheel goes
over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
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.
All manuals and user guides at all-guides.com
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
• Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the
• Before and while backing or changing direction, look
• Never carry children, even with the blades off. They
• Children who have been given rides in the past may
• Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
Towing
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
• This product has a limited towing capacity for small
• Never allow children or others in or on towed
• On slopes, the weight of towed equipment may cause a
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
Service
Safe Handling of Gasoline
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive.
4
watchful care of a responsible adult, not the operator.
area.
behind, down, and side–to–side for small children.
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation.
suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the mower.
trees, or other objects that may block your view of a
child.
towing. Do not attached towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
attachments, such as leaf sweepers, rollers or carts. The
combined weight of the attachment and load should not
exceed the weight of the tractor. Use of these types of
attachments should be limited to flat ground.
equipment.
loss of traction and control.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never remove the gas cap or add fuel when the
engine is running. Allow the engine to cool before
refueling.
• Never refuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where
there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as a
water heater or other appliances.