o Turnoffbladeswhen not mowing°
o Stop engine before removing grass
catcher or unclogging chute.
o Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
o Watch for traffic when operating near or
crossing roadways.
o Use extra care when loading or unload-
ing the machine into a trailer or truck.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to Ioss-_
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 fee! uneasy on
it, do not mow it.
DO:
o Mow up and down slopes, not across.
° Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
o Watch for hoies, ruts, or bumps. Uneven
terrain could overturn the machine.. Tall
grass can hide obstacles°
o Use slow speed. Choose a tow 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 stow
and gradual° Do not make sudden
changes in speed or direction.
o Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If
tires lose traction, disengage the blades
and proceed slowly straight down the
slope°
DO NOT:
oDo not turn on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible.
oDo 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 ino
°Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced
traction could cause sliding_
oDo not try to stabilize the machine by
putting your foot on the ground.
oDo 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
machine and the mowing activity. Never
assume 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°
o Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
o Before and when backing, look behind
and down for small children.
° Never carry children. They may fall off
and be sedously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
°Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
SERVICE
oUse 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 heater,,
o Never run a machine inside a closed
area°
o Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition.
o Never tamper with safety devices°
Check their proper operation regularly.
o Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oit or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
storing.
°Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object° Repair, if necessary,
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