Tum-_offblades 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 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 requir_ 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 overtum 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-
w_ights 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.
_Avoidstarting or stoppidg on a slope. If
tires lose traction, disengage the blades
and proceed slowly straight o'0Wnthe
slope.
DO NOT:
•Do not tum 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-
denly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge
caves in.
•Do_o3'R_worr--Wet grass. Reduced
traction could cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by
putting your foot on the ground.
• Do not use grass catcher on steep
slopes.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occurif the operator
is notalert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowingactivity.Never
assume that childrenwill remain where
you last saw them.
•Keep children outof the mowingarea
and underthe watchfulcare of another
responsible adult.
•Be alert and tum machine off ifchildren
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
machine.
•Use extra care when approaching blind
comers, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
SERVICE
Use extra care in handlinggasoline and
other fuels. They are flammable and
vapors are explosive.
Use only an approvedcontainer.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel
withthe engine running.Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling.Do not
smoke.
Never refuelthe machine indoors.
Never storethe machine or fuel
container insidewhere there isan
open flame,such as a water heater.
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.
•Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debds build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
stodng.
•Stop and inspect the equipment if you
stdke an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
3
