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SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation
Practices
for Ride-On Mowers
&
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLEOF AMPUTATINGHANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I. GENERAL
OPERATION
.
Road, understand,
and follow atl inslructions
in the
manual and on the machine before slarting.
,
Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
inslructions, to operate the machine.
.
Clear the area of objects sech as rocks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
°
Be sure the area is clear of cther people before mow-
ing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
°
Never carry passengers.
.
Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always look down and behind before and while back-
ing.
°
Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do nct
point it al anyone. Do nct operale the mower without
either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place.
°
Slow down before turning.
°
Never leave a running machine unaltended.
Always
turn off blades, sol parking brake, slop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
°
Turn ofl blades when not mowing.
°
Slop engine before removing grass calcher or un-
clogging chute.
°
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
°
Do not operale the machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
,
Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing road-
ways.
°
Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
.
Dala indicates thal operalors, age 60 years and above,
are invoIved in a large percentage of riding mower-re-
laled injuries. These operators should evaluale their
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and cthers from serious injury.
°
Keep machine free of grass,
leaves or other debris
build-up which can touch hct oxhausl / engine parts
and burn. Do nct allow the mower deck to plow leaves
or other debris which can cause build-up to occur.
Clean any oil or fuel spillage
before operating
or
storing the machine. Allow machine to cool before
storage.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor relaled to Ioss-of-control and
tipover 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 nct mow it.
DO:
°
Mow up and down slopes, nct across.
°
Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
°
Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
°
Use slow speed. Choose a Iow gear so that you will
not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
°
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve slabilily.
°
Use extra care with grass calchers or °thor altachments"
These can change the slabilily of the machine.
°
Keep atl movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
2
,
Avoid slarting or stopping on a slope. Iftireslosetrac-
tion, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
DO NOT:
°
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,
turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
o
Do notmow 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 foct
on the ground.
.
Do not use grass catcher on sleep slopes.
III. 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 wilI remain where you lasl saw them.
,
Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.
,
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. They may fail off and be seriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
,
Never allow children to operate the machine.
°
Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or cther objects that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
,
Use extra care in handling gasoline and cther fuels.
They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
- Use only an approved container.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuet with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.
Do
not smoke.
- Never refuel the machine indoors.
- Never storethe machine or fuel container inside where
there is an open flame, such as a water heater.
°
Never run a machine inside a closed area.
°
Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade atlachment bolts,
tight and keep equipment in good condition.
°
Never tamper with safely devices. Check their proper
operalion regularly.
°
Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or cther debris
build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to
cool before storing.
.
Slop and inspect the equipment if you slrike an object.
Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
°
Never make adjustments
or repairs with the engine
running.
°
Grass calcher componenls are subject to wear, dam-
age, and deterioration,
which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check
components and replace with manufacturer's recom-
mended parts, when necessary.
°
Mower blades are sharp and can cut" Wrap the blade(s) °r
wear gloves, and use exlra caution when servicing them.
°
Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.
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