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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 operate
on it.
Control of a walk-behind or ride-on machine sliding on a
slope will not be regained by the application of the brake.
The main reasons for loss of control are: insufficient tire grip
on the ground, speed too fast, inadequate braking, the type
of machine is unsuitable for its task, lack of awareness of the
ground conditions, incorrect hitching and load distribution.
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Choose a slow speed so that you will not have to stop
or change speeds while on the slope.
4. Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may loose traction.
5. Always keep unit in gear especially when traveling
down slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast
downhill.
6. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope, if tires
lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
7. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction, which
could cause the machine to rollover.
8. Use extra care while operating machines with grass
catchers or other attachments; they can affect the
stability of the unit. Do not use on steep slopes.
9. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground (ride-on units).
10. Do not mow 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.
11. Do not use grass catchers on steep slopes.
12. Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.
13. See your authorized dealer/retailer for
recommendations
of wheel weights or counterweights
to improve stability.
14. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
15. Use slow speed. Tires may lose traction on slopes
even through the brakes are functioning properly.
16. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
TOWED
EQUIPMENT
(RIDE-ON
UNITS)
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations
for
weight limit for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed
equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may
cause loss of traction and loss of control.
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.
WARNING
Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6 percent
(10 °) which is a rise of 3-1/2 feet (106 cm) vertically
in 20 feet (607 cm) horizontally.
When operating on slopes use additional wheel
weights or counterweights.
See your dealer/retailer
to determine which weights are available and
appropriate for your unit.
Select slow ground speed before driving onto
slope. In addition to front weights, use extra
caution when operating on slopes with rear-
mounted grass catchers.
Mow UP and DOWN the slope, never across the
face, use caution when changing directions and
DO NOT START OR STOP ON SLOPE.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted
to the unit and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.
2. Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.
3. Before and during reverse operation, look behind
and down for small children.
4. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off.
They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe unit 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.
5. Never allow children to operate the unit.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
vision.
EMISSIONS
1. Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
2. Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period
and Air Index information on the engine emissions
label.
iGNITION
SYSTEM
1. This spark ignition system complies with Canadian
ICES-002.
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