SAFETY RULES
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS
IMPORTANT:THIS CUTI'ING MACHINE ISCAPABLEOF AMPUTATINGHANDS AND FEET ANDTHROWINGOBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVETHE FOLLOWINGSAFETY INSTRUCTIONSCOULD RESULTIN SERIOUS INJURYOR DE.ATH.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
•Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the machine before starting.
• Only allow responsibleadults, whoare familiar withthe
instructions, to operate the machine.
•Clear thearea ofobjects suchas rocks,toys,wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
•Be sure the area is clear of other people before mow-
ing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
• Nevercarry passengers.
•Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always look down and behind before and while back-
ing.
•Be aware of the 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.
•Slow down before turning.
•Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
turn off blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
•Turn offblades when not mowing.
•Stop engine before removing grass catcher or un-
clogging 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 orcrossing road-
ways.
•Use extracare when loadingor unloadingthe machine
into atrailer or truck.
•Data indicates thatoperators, age 60 years and above,
are involvedin a large percentage of riding mower-re-
lated injuries. These operators should evaluate their
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protectthemselves and others from serious injury.
•Keep machine free of grass, leaves or other debris
build-up which can touch hot exhaust / engine parts
and burn.Do not allow the mower deck toplow leaves
or other debris which can cause build-up to occur.
Clean any oil or fuel spillage before operating or
storing the machine. Allow machine to cool before
storage.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto loss-of-controland tipover
accidents,whichcan resultinsevereinjuryor death. Allslopes
requireextracaution. If youcannot backup theslopeor ifyou
feeluneasyon it,do notmow 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. Tallgrass can hide obstacles.
Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you will
not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
•Followthe manufacturer's recommendations forwheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
Useextracare withgrasscatchers orotherattachments.
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. 2
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose trac-
tion, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight
down the slope.
DO NOT:
•Do not turn 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 suddenly turn over if a wheel is over
the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
• Do not mow on 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.
III. CHILDREN
Tragicaccidents can occuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepres-
ence of children. Childrenare oftenattractedto the machine
andthemowingactivity.Neverassumethatchildrenwillremain
where youlastsawthem.
•Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsibleadult.
•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the
area.
•Before and when backing, leek behind and down for
small children.
•Never carry children. They may falloffand beseriously
injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
•Never allow children to operate the machine.
•Useextracara wher_appreachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
•Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels.
They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
- Use only an approved container.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Do
not smoke.
- Never refuel the machine indoors.
- Never storethemachineorfuel containerinsidewhere
there is an open flame, such as a water heater.
•Never run a machine inside a closed area.
•Keep nuts and bolts,especially bladeattachment bolts,
tight and keep equipment in good condition.
•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
•Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to
cool 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, which could expose moving
parts or allow objectsto be thrown. Frequently check
components and replace with manufacturer's recom-
mended parts, when necessary.
•Mower blades are sharpand cancut.Wrap the blade(s)
or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.
•Check brake operation frequently. Adjustand service
as required.