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• Turn off blades when not mowing.
Stop engine before
removing
grass
catcher
or unclogging
chute.
Mow only in daylight
or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate
the machine
while un-
der the influence
of alcohol
or drugs.
• Watch for traffic when operating
near
or crossing
roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or un-
loading
the machine
into a trailer
or
truck.
• 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.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes
are a major factor
related to loss-
of-control
and tipover
accidents,
which
can result in severe
injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution.
If you can-
not back up the slope or if you feel un-
easy on it, do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow up and down slopes,
not across.
• Remove
obstacles
such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps.
Un-
even terrain could overturn
the ma-
chine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose
a low gear so
that you will not have to stop or shift
while on the slope.
• Follow the manufacturer's
recommen-
dations for wheel weights
or counter-
weights
to improve
stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers
or
other attachments.
These can change
the stability
of the machine.
• Keep all movement
on the slopes slow
and gradual.
Do not make sudden
changes
in speed or direction.
• Avoid starting
or stopping
on a slope. If
tires lose traction,
disengage
the
blades and proceed
slowly straight
down the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do notturn
on slopes unless neces-
sary, and then, turn slowly
and gradu-
ally downhill,
if possible.
3
• Do not mow near drop-offs,
ditches,
or
embankments.
The mower could sud-
denly 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 nottry
to stabilize
the machine
by
putting your foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher
on steep
slopes.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents
can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence
of children.
Children
are often attracted
to the ma-
chine and the mowing
activity. Never as-
sume that children
will remain where you
last 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 chil-
dren enter the area.
• Before and when backing,
look behind
and down for small children.
• Never carry children.
They may fall off
and be seriously
injured or interfere
with safe machine
operation.
• Never allow children
to operate
the ma-
chine.
• Use extra care when approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees, or other objects
that may obscure
vision.
SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling
gasoline
and other fuels. They are flammable
and vapors are explosive.
Use only an approved
container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling.
Do
not smoke,
Never refuel the machine
indoors.
Never store the machine
or fuel
container
inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heat-
er.
• Never run a machine
inside a closed
area.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment
bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly.
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