
GENERAL SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
Recommended b
Outdoor Power E
uipment Institute
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICE - RIDING VEHICLES
1. Know the controls and how to stop
ui
quickly - READ C. Open doors if engine is run in garage - exhaust
THIS OWNERS MANUAL and instructions furnished fumes are dangerous. Do not run engine (motor)
with attachments. indoors.
2. Do not allow children to operate machine. Do not 17. Keep vehicle and attachments in good operating
allow adults to operate machine without proper condition and keep safety devices in place and
instruction. working.
3. Do not carry passengers. Do not mow when 18. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws ti
ht to be sure
children and others are present. equipment is in safe working condition.
4. Clear work area of objects (wire, rocks, etc.) 19. Never store equipment with gasoline in the tank
which might be picked up and thrown. inside a building where fumes may reach an open
5. Disengage all attachment clutches and shift into flame or spark
neutral before attempting to start engine (motor). 20. Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure
6. Disengage power to attatchments and stop engine 21. To reduce fire hazard keep engine free of grass,
(motor) before leaving operator position. leaves or excessive grease.
7. Disengage power to attachments and stop engine 22. Vehicle and attachments should be stopped and
(motor) before making any repairs or adjustments. inspected for damage after striking a foreign object
8. Disengage power to attachments when transporting and the damage should be repaired before restarting
or not in use. and operating the equipment.
9. Take all possible precautions when leaving vehicle 23. Do not change engine governor settings or over-
unattended; such as disengaging power-take-off, speed engine.
lowering attachments, shifting into neutral, stopping 24. When using vehicle with mower:
engine and removing key. 1. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
10. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or 2. Never make a cutting height adjustment while
downhill. Mow up and down the face of steep engine (motor) is running if operator must
slopes; never across the face. If a steep hill must dismount to do so.
be asdended, back up the hill; drive forward when 3. Shut en
ine
motor
off when unclo
in
chute.
descending. 4. Check blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at
11. Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on frequent intervals.
slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss 25. Under normal usuage, grass catcher bag material is
of control. Be especially cautious when changing subject to deterioration and wear. It should be
directions on slopes. checked frequently for bag replacement. Replacement
12. Stay alert for holes, rocks and roots in the terrain bags should be checked to ensure compliance with
which may cause the vehicle to upset. Keep away original manufacturers recommendations or
from dropoffs. specifications.
13. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy 26. Disengage power to mower before backing up. Do
equipment. not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary
a. Use only approved drawbar hitch points. and then only after careful observation of the entire
b. Limit loads to those you can safely control. area behind the mower.
c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing. 27. Use personal protective equipment when operating
d. Use counterweights when suggested in owner’s or performing maintenance such as (but not limited
manual. to) protection for eyes, ears, feet & head.
14. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
15. When using any attachments never direct discharge
of material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near
vehicle while in operation.
16. Handle gasoline with care - it is highly flammable.
A. Use approved gasoline container. Place container
out of reach of children.
B. Use gasoline only as fuel - never as a cleaner.
Never remove cap or add gasoline to a running or
hot engine or an engine that has not been allowed
to cool for several minutes after running. Never fill
fuel tank indoors. Wipe up spilled gasoline. And
positively NO SMOKING.