
2
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
SAFETY RULES
I. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manualandonthemachinebeforestarting.
• Onlyallowresponsibleadults,whoarefamiliarwiththe
instructions, to operate the machine.
• Cleartheareaofobjectssuchas rocks,toys,wire,etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
• Besuretheareaisclearofotherpeoplebeforemowing.
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Nevercarrypassengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking.
• Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not
point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without
either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place.
• Slowdownbeforeturning.
• Neverleavearunningmachineunattended. Alwaysturn
offblades,setparkingbrake,stopengine,andremove
keysbeforedismounting.
• Turnoffbladeswhennotmowing.
• Stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclog-
gingchute.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceof
alcoholordrugs.
• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroad-
ways.
• Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachine
into a trailer or truck.
• Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,
are involved in a large percentage of riding mower-
relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheir
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and others from serious injury.
II. 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
requireextracaution. Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeorifyoufeel
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.
•Useslowspeed. Choosealowgearsothatyouwillnot
have to stop or shift while on the slope.
•Followthemanufacturer’srecommendationsforwheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
•Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. Thesecan changethestabilityofthemachine.
•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 tires lose traction,
disengage the blades and proceed slowly
straight
down the
slope.
DO NOT:
•
Donot
turnonslopesunlessnecessary,andthen,turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
•
Do not
mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
Themowercouldsuddenlyturnoverifawheelisoverthe
edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
•
Donot
mowonwetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcause
sliding.
•
Do not
tryto stabilize themachine by putting your foot
ontheground.
•
Do not
use grass catcher on steep slopes.
III. CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccurif the operator is not 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
watchfulcareof another responsibleadult.
•Bealertandturnmachineoffif children enter the area.
•Before and when backing, look behind and
down
for
smallchildren.
•Nevercarrychildren. Theymayfalloffandbeseriously
injuredorinterferewithsafemachineoperation.
•Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.
•Useextracarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
•Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels.
Theyare flammable and vapors are explosive.
- Useonlyanapprovedcontainer.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allowenginetocoolbeforerefueling. Donot
smoke.
- Neverrefuelthemachineindoors.
- Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere
there is an open flame, such as a water heater.
•Never run a machine inside a closed area.
•Keepnutsandbolts,especiallybladeattachmentbolts,
tightandkeep equipment in good condition.
•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operationregularly.
•Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Cleanoilorfuelspillage. Allowmachinetocool
beforestoring.
•Stopand inspect theequipment if you strike an object.
Repair,ifnecessary,beforerestarting.
•Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine
running.
•Grass catcher components are subject to wear, dam-
age,anddeterioration,whichcouldexposemovingparts
orallowobjectstobethrown. Frequentlycheckcompo-
nents and replace with manufacturer's recommended
parts,whennecessary.
•Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut. Wraptheblade(s)
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.