o Turn off blades when not mowing.
oStop engine before removing grass
catcher or unclogging chute.
o Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
o Do not operate the machine while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
, Watch for traffic when operating near or
crossing roadways.
= Use extra care when loading or unload-
ing the machine into a trailer or truck.
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 cannot
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on
it, do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
o Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
°Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven
terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
o Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so
that you will not have to stop or shift
while on the slope.
o Follow the manufacturer's recommen-
dations for wheel weights or counter-
weights to improve stability.
o Use extra care with grass catchers or
other attachments. These can change
the stability of the machine.
o 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 nottum on slopes unless necessary,
and then, tum slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible.
°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.
oDo not mow on wet grass. Reduced
traction could cause sliding°
oDo not try to stabilizethe machineby
puttingyour foot on the ground.
aDo notuse grasscatcher on steep
slopes.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidentscan occurifthe operator
isnot alertto the presence of children.
Childrenare often attractedto the
machine and the mowingactivity.Never
assume that childrenwill remain where
you lastsaw them.
oKeep childrenoutof the mowingarea
and under the watchful care of another
responsibleadult.
oBe alert and turnmachine offif children
enterthe area.
oBefore and when backing, lookbehind
and down for smallchildren.
° Never carrychildren.They may falloff
and be seriouslyinjuredor interferewith
safe machine operation.
° Never allow childrento operate the
machine.
oUse extra care when approachingblind
comers, shrubs,trees, orother objects
that may obscurevision.
SERVICE
• Use extra care in handlinggasoline and
otherfuels. They are flammable and
vaporsare explosive.
Use only an approvedcontainer.
Never removegas cap or add fuel
withthe engine running.Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling.Do n,ot
smoke.
- Never refuelthe machine indoors.
Never store the machineor fuel
containerinsidewhere there isan
open flame, such as a water heater.
,, Never run a machine insidea 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.
oKeep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
stodng.
° Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
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