Exmark VANTAGE Operator's Manual page 7

Operation
WARNING
Operating engine parts, especially the muffler,
become extremely hot. Severe burns can occur
on contact and debris, such as leaves, grass,
brush, etc. can catch fire.
• Allow engine parts, especially the muffler, to
cool before touching.
• Remove accumulated debris from muffler
and engine area.
• Install and maintain in working order a
spark arrester before using equipment
on forest-covered, grass-covered, or
brush-covered unimproved land.
WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,
which is an odorless deadly poison that can kill
you.
Do Not run engine indoors or in a small confined
area where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes
can collect.
• Operate only in daylight or good artificial light,
keeping away from holes and hidden hazards.
• Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake
is engaged before starting engine.
• Never raise deck with blades running.
• Never operate the mower with damaged guards,
shields, or covers. Always have safety shields,
guards, switches and other devices in place and in
proper working condition.
• Never mow with the discharge deflector raised,
removed or altered unless there is a grass
collection system or mulch kit in place and
working properly.
• Do Not change the engine governor setting or
overspeed the engine.
• Park machine on level ground. Stop engine, wait
for all moving parts to stop, remove key and
engage parking brake:
– Before checking, cleaning or working on the
mower.
– After striking a foreign object or abnormal
vibration occurs (inspect the mower for
damage and make repairs before restarting
and operating the mower).
– Before clearing blockages.
– Whenever you leave the mower.
• Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and
engage parking brake:
– Before refueling.
– Before dumping the grass catcher.
– Before making height adjustments.
WARNING
Hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories can
become entangled in rotating parts. Contact
with the rotating parts can cause traumatic
amputation or severe lacerations.
• Do Not operate the machine without
guards, shields, and safety devices in
place and working properly.
• Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, or clothing
away from rotating parts.
• DO NOT operate the mower when people,
especially children, or pets are in the area.
• Be alert, slow down and use caution when making
turns. Look behind and to the side before
changing directions.
• Stop the blades, slow down, and use caution when
crossing surfaces other than grass and when
transporting the mower to and from the area to
be mowed.
• Be aware of the mower discharge path and direct
discharge away from others.
• Do Not operate the mower under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Use extreme care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck.
• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
Slope Operation
Use Extreme caution when mowing and/or turning
on slopes as loss of traction and/or tip-over could
occur. The operator is responsible for safe operation
on slopes.
7
Safety