• Turnoff bladeswhennotmowing.
*Stop engine before removing grass
catcher or unclogging chute.
•Mow only in daylight or good artificial
ligM.
•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 _oeding 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.
•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.
•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
tii:es lose traction, disengage the blades
and proceed slowly straight down the
slope.
DO NOT:
•Do nottum on slopes unless necessary,
and then, turn slowly and gradually
downhill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or
embankments. The mower could sud-
donly 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
tra_clioncould cause sliding.
• DOnottry to stabilizethe machine by
puttingyour foot onthe ground.
•Do not use grass catcher on steep
slopes.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidentscan occurif the operator
is not alertto the presence of children.
Children are oftenattracted tothe
machine and the mowingactivity.Never
assume that childrenwill remain where
you lastsaw them.
• Keep childrenout of the mowing area
and under the watchfulcare of another
responsibleaduif.
•Be alertand turn machine off ifchildren
enter the area.
•Before and when backing, lookbehind
and downfor small children.
•Never carry children.They may fall off
and be seriouslyinjuredor interfere with
safe machine operation.
•Never allow children to operate the
machine.
•Use extra care when approaching blind
comers, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscurevision.
SERVICE
•Use extra care in handlinggasoline and
other fuels.They are flammable and
vapors are explosive.
Use onlyan approved container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allowen-
gine to cool before refueling. DOnot
smoke.
Never refuelthe machine indoors.
Never storethe machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater.
•Never run a machine inside a closed
area.
•Keep nuts and bolts,especially blade
attachment bolts,tightand keep equip-
ment in good condition.
•Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regulady.
•Keep machinefree of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oilor fuel
spillage.Allow machine to cool before
stodng.
•Stop and inspectthe equipment ifyou
stdke an object. Repair, if necessary,
