Table of Contents
Advertisement
SAFETY
RULES
Safe Operation
Practices
for Ride-On
Mowers
iMPORTANT:
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.
WARNING:
in order
to prevent
ac-
cidental
starting
when
setting
up,
transporting,
adjusting
or making
re=
pairs,
always
disconnect
spark
plug
wire
and
place
wire
where
it cannot
contact
spark
plug.
I
A
coastdowna hill
_
in n_se
control
of the
O
tractor.
WARNING:
Tow only the attachments
that
are
recommended
by and corn=
ply with
specifications
of the
manu=
facturer
of your
tractor.
Use common
sense
when
towing.
Operate
only at
the lowest
possible
speed
when
on a
slope.
Too heavy
of a load,
while
on
a slope,
is dangerous.
Tires can lose
traction
with the ground
and cause you
to lose control
of your
tractor.
I. GENERAL
OPERATION
,
Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine
and in the manual before starting.
,,
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.
,,
Only allow responsible
adults, who are familiar with the
instructions, to operate the machine.
,,
Clear the area of objects such as
rocks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blades.
,,
Be sure the area is clear of bystanders
before operating.
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 backing.
,,
Never direct discharged
material
toward anyone. Avoid
discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material
may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the blades when
crossing gravel surfaces.
,,
Do not operate machine without the entire grass catcher,
discharge guard, or other safety devices in place and work-
ing.
,,
Slow down before turning.
,,
Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn
off blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys
before dismounting.
,,
Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine and
wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning
the machine, removing the grass catcher, or unclogging the
discharge guard.
,,
Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light.
,,
Do not operate 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.
,,
Always wear eye protection when operating machine.
,,
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.
,,
Follow the manufacturer's recommendation
for wheel weights
or counterweights.
,,
Keep machine
free of grass
, leaves or other
debris
build-up
which
can touch
hot exhaust/engine
parts
and burn. Do not allow the mower deck to plow leaves
or other
debris
which
can
cause
build-up
to oc-
cur. 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 related to loss of control and tip-over
accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation
on all slopes requires 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 objects.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
,,
Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have to stop
or shift while on the 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. Ifthetireslose
traction,
disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
,,
Keep all movement on the 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 machine with grass catch-
ers or other attachments; they can affect the stability of the
machine. Do no 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 roll over if a wheel is over the edge
or if the edge caves in.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres-
ence of children.
Children are often attracted to the machine
and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain
where you last saw them.
,
Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
,
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
,
Before and while backing, look behind and down for small
children.
,,
Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They may
fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine
operation. Children who have been given rides in the past
may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the machine.
,,
Never allow children to operate the machine.
,,
Use extra care when approaching
blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
