SAFE MOWING GUIDE
7
F050761L
Also, the grass bagger will function better
when the engine is operating at maximum
speed. On slopes, decrease the ground
speedand use care making sure the
mower feels safe to operate.
If the weather conditions are bad, do not
mow. If weather conditions become bad,
stop cutting and finish later. It isdangerous
to cutgrass in the rain. Always find
protection in an electrical storm. If the
weather conditions are extradry, protect
your eyes with safety glasses from the dust
and from the objects discharged by the
mower. Also, a dust or a pollen mask can
help.
Your mower is equipped with a number of
safetydevices which are important to the
safetyof the operator and bystanders and
must never be changed or removed from
the mower. If a safety deviceis lost,
damaged or no longer functions, repair or
replacethe devicebefore you operate the
mower.
It is best to mow during the day. Ifyou
must mow at night, make sure there is
enough light for safeoperation.
Your mower will require regular
maintenance andservice. The
maintenance schedule depends on the
hours of use. Also, mowing conditions can
change the schedule. Checkthe
Instruction Book for more information.
Correct maintenance will help the mower
function safely.
Do not service the
mower (except for the
carburetor adjustment)
while the engine is
running. Before you
service the unit, even
with theengine stopped,
always disconnect the
wire from the spark plug
to prevent the engine
from starting.
If you hit a large object during operation,
stop the engine. Remove the wire from the
spark plug. Carefully inspect the mower for
damage. Before you start the engine
again, make the necessary repairs. If you
feel new or excessive vibration,
immediately stop the engine and check for
the problem. Vibration can be a warning of
a problem. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws
tight.
The blade is the most dangerous part of
the mower. Frequently check the blade and
the blade mountingfasteners. Keep the
fasteners tight. If the blade hits a solid
object, stop the engine. Remove the wire
from the spark plug. Check for a blade that
is bent, cracked or for other damages.
Beforeyou start the engine, replace a
damaged blade(s). For safety, replace the
bladeevery two years.
A sharp blade decreases theworkload on
the engine and more evenly cuts grass.
Frequently sharpenthe blade for a better
lookingcut. Use the left side of the mower
housing to trim near an object.
A grass bagger is a good accessory for
your mower. For best performance and
safety, make sure the grass bagger is
approved for use with your mower. Follow
the assembly andoperation instructions
included with the grass bagger.
Somegrass baggers require a special
blade for best performance. Before you
attach, check, orempty the grass bagger,
alwaysstop the engine. Before each useof
the grass bagger, check for cracks, wear or
deterioration. Before you use the grass
bagger, replace a damaged part with a
replacement part approved by the factory.
For you to have a good green lawn, follow
the mowing procedures below. Do not cut
the grass too short. If you cut the grasstoo
short you can cause the grass to become
yellowor make the lawn lookbrown. Usea
lower height of cut in cool months when
the grass is thicker. Raise the height of cut
in hot dry periods. If you cut the grass with
a blade that is notsharp or at a slow
enginespeed youcan damage the grass.
Move the throttle control to theFAST
position when mowing and using the grass
bagger. Also, use aslower ground speed
when using the grass bagger.
If you change thedirection or pattern of cut
slightlyevery timeyou mow will make the
grassgrow stronger and thicker. Do not
add oilor gasoline to the mower while on
the lawn. Spilled oilor gasoline can kill the
grass. In high or thick grass, do not tryto
cut all the grass the first time. Raise the
heightof cut on thefirst cutting and lower
the height for the next cutting. Another way
is to cut only part of the width of the mower
and decrease your ground speed (not the
engine) to move more slowly so that the
mower can discharge the grass as it
moves forward.
Understand the controls and how they
work. Learn the ground speed(s) of your
mower. Check thestopping distance
required at different travel speeds. Check
the turning radius of the mower. The
controls on your riding mowerare different
from anautomobile. The throttle is
operated by hand and holds the engine
speedconstant until it is changed. The
location of the travel speed control is
different fromthat of an automobile. Also,
the brake and clutch systems are different.
Remember the procedures to follow in an
emergency. Remember, turning off the
engineignition switch will stop the blade
and the drive mechanism. If the traction of
the wheels is lost or does notfeel safe,
disengage all systems and stop the
engine. Dismount from the mower. Push
the unit to a safe place before you begin
mowingagain.
Your unit has an electrical system that
includes an operator presence switch in
the seat. The operator presence switch
detects if the operator is sittingon the seat.
The engine will stop if the operator leaves
the seat when the blade engagement
control is engaged. This operator presence
switchis a safetydevice only. It must not
regularly be used tostop the engine or the
blade. There are other control systems on
the mower for this purpose. Always keep
the operator presence switchand other
safetydevices and controls in place and
operating for your protection.
Remember, your mower is a tool that can
be dangerous if itis not correctly used.
Followthe instructions in thisInstruction
Book. Safe and careful use of the mower
will give you manysafe hours of problem
free use.
