SAFETY RULES
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Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers 41_
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET ANO THROWING OBJECTS.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I. GENERALOPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the machine before starting.
•Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar withthe
instructions, tooperate the machine.
•Clear the area ofobjects such as recks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
•Be surethe areais clearof otherpeople before mowing.
Stop machine ifanyone enters the area.
•Never carry passengers.
•Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always lookdown and behindbeforeand whilebacking.
•Be aware ofthe mower discharge direction and do not
point itat anyone. Do not operate the mower without
either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place.
•Slowdown beforetuming.
•Neverleavearunningmachineunattended. Alwaystum
offblades, set parkingbrake, stop engine, and remove
keys before dismounting.
•Turn offblades when not mowing.
•Stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclog-
ging chute.
•Mow only in daylight or good artificiallight.
•Do notoperate themachine while under theinfluenceof
alcohol or drugs.
• Watch fortrafficwhen operating near or crossing read-
ways.
•Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
intoa trailer or truck.
•Data indicates thatoperators, 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.
n. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesare a rnaor factorrelatedto loss-of-controland tipover
accidents,whichcanresult insevereinjuryor death. Allslopes
requireextracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeorifyoufeel
uneasyon it, do notmow it.
DO:
•Mow up and down slopes, not across.
•Remove obstacles such as recks, tree limbs, etc.
•Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine. Tafl grass can hide obstacles.
•Use slowspeed. Choose a lowgear sothat you willnot
have to stop or shift while on the slope.
•Followthe manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
•Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. These can change the stability ofthe machine.
•Keepall movementontheslopesslowandgradual. Do not
make suddenchangesin speed or direction.
Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope. Iftireslose traction,
disengagethebladesand proceedslowlystraightdownthe
slope.
DO NOT:
•Do not turnon slopes unlessnecessary, and then, turn
slowlyand gradually downhill, ifpossible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, orembankments.
: The mower couldsuddenlytum over ifawheelis over the
edge of a cliff or ditch, or ifan edge caves in.
•Donotmowonwetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcause
sliding.
•Do not tryto stabilize the machine by puttingyour foot
onthe ground.
•Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur ifthe operator isnot alert tothe
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.
•Be alert and turn machine off ifchildren enter the area.
•Before and when backing, look behind and down for
small children.
•Nevercarrychildren. Theymayfalloffandbeseriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
•Never allowchildren to operate the machine.
•Usa extrscarewhen approaching blindcomers, shrubs,
trees, or other objectsthat may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
•Use extra care in handling gasoline 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. Allowengine tocoolbefore refueling. Do not
smoke.
-Never refuel the machine indoors.
-Never storethe machine orfuelcontainerinsidewhere
there is an open flame, such as a water heater.
•Never run a machine inside a closed area.
•Keep nutsand bolts,especially bladeattachment bolts,
tightand keep equipment in good condition.
•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
•Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other dabds
build-up,Clean oilorfuel spillage.Allowmachine tocoot
before storing.
•Stop and inspectthe equipment ifyou strike an object.
Repair, ifnecessary, before restarting.
•Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine
running.
•Grass catcher components are subject to wear, dam-
age, and deterioration,whichcouldexpose moving parts
orallowobjects tobe threwn. Frequently checkcompo-
nents and replace with manufacturer's recommended
parts, when necessary.
•Mower bladesare sharpand cancut. Wrap theblade(s)
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.
•Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.
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