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SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation
Practices
for Ride-on
Mowers
The safety symbol _
is used to identify safety information about hazards that can result in personal injury. A signal word (DAN-
GER, WARNING, or CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate the likelihood and the potential severity of injury. In
addition, a hazard symbol may be used to represent the type of hazard.
DANGER indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazard which, if not avoided, might result in minor or moderate
injury.
CAUTION when used without the alert symbol, indicates a situation that could result in damage to the engine.
WARNING: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
I.
General
operation
1.
Read, understand
and follow
all instructions
in the Instruction
Book, on the machine,
the engine and with any attachments
be-
fore starting.
2.
Only allow responsible
adults, who are familiar
with the instruc-
tions, to operate
the machine.
3.
Clear the area of objects
such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which
could be picked
up and thrown
by the blade.
4.
Be sure the area is clear of other people
before
mowing.
Stop
the machine
if anyone
enters
the area.
5.
Never carry
passengers.
6.
Turn off power to the blades
or any attachments
before backing
up. Do not mow in reverse unless
absolutely
necessary.
Always
look down and behind
before and while backing.
7.
Be aware
of the mower
discharge
direction
and do not point it
at anyone.
Do not operate
the mower
without
either
the entire
grass bagger
or the mower
guard in place.
8.
Slow down before turning.
9.
Never leave a machine
unattended
with the engine
running.
Al-
ways turn off the blade(s),
set the parking
brake,
stop the en-
gine and remove
the key before dismounting.
10. Turn off power to attachment(s)
when transporting
or not in use.
Turn off the blade(s)
when
not mowing.
11.
Stop the engine
before
removing
the grass
bagger
or unclog-
ging the chute.
12.
Mow only in daylight
or good artificial
light.
13.
Do not operate the machine
while under the influence
of alcohol
or drugs
or when very tired.
14. Watch
for traffic when
operating
near or crossing
roadways.
15.
Use extra caution
when
loading
or unloading
the machine
into
a trailer
or truck.
16.
Disengage
all attachment
clutches
and shift into Neutral
before
attempting
to start the engine.
17. Always
wear
goggles,
safety
glasses,
or an eye shield
when
you operate
the unit to protect
your eyes from foreign
objects
that can be thrown
from the unit. Always
wear eye protection
when you make an adjustment
or repair to the machine.
18.
Use care when pulling
loads or using heavy equipment.
a. Use only approved
drawbar
hitch points.
b. Limit loads to those
you can safely
control.
c. Do not turn sharply.
Use care when
backing.
d. Use counterweights
or wheel weights
when suggested
in the
Instruction
Book.
MS-3620MA
19. Do not operate this machine
if you are taking drugs or other me-
dication
which can cause drowsiness
or affect your ability to op-
erate this machine.
20.
Do not use this machine
if you are mentally
or physically
unable
to operate
this machine
safely.
21.
Data indicates
that operators,
age 60 years and above,
are in-
volved
in a large percentage
of riding mower
related
injuries.
These
operators
should evaluate
their ability to operate
a riding
mower
safely
enough
to protect
themselves
and others
from
serious
injury.
II. Slope operation
Slopes
and rough terrain
are major
factors
related
to loss-of-con-
trol 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 the slope,
do not mow
it. See the
"Slope
Guide"
in the back of this book to check
for safe operation.
DO
1.
Mow up and down slopes,
not across.
2.
Remove
obstacles
such as rocks,
limbs, etc...
3.
Watch for holes,
ruts or bumps.
Uneven
terrain
could overturn
the machine.
Taft grass
can hide obstacles.
4.
Follow
the manufacturer's
recommendations
for wheel weights
or counterweights
to improve
stability.
5.
Use extra
care with grass
baggers
or other attachments,
they
can change
the stability
of the machine.
6.
Keep
all movement
on the slopes
slow
and gradual.
Do not
make sudden
changes
in speed
or direction.
7.
Avoid starting
or stopping
on a slope.
If tires lose traction,
turn
off the blades
and proceed
slowly straight
down
the slope.
DO NOT
1.
Do not turn on slopes
unless
absolutely
necessary,
then only
turn slowly
and gradually
downhill,
if possible.
2.
Do not mow drop-offs,
ditches
or embankments.
A wheel over
the edge or an edge
caving
in could cause a sudden
overturn
and an injury or death.
3.
Do not mow on wet grass.
Reduced
traction
could cause slid-
ing.
4.
Do not try to stabilize
the machine
by putting
your foot on the
ground.
5.
Do not use a grass bagger
or other rear mounted
accessories
on steep
slopes
(greater
than
10 degrees).
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