Important Safety Instructions

WARNING: This powerful cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and can throw objects that can cause injury and damage! Failure to comply with the following SAFETY instructions could result in serious injury or death to the operator or other persons. The owner of the machine must understand these instructions and must allow only persons who understand these instructions to operate machine. Each person operating the machine must be of sound mind and body and must not be under the influence of any substance, which might impair vision, dexterity or judgment. If you have any questions pertaining to your machine which your dealer cannot answer to your satisfaction, call or write the Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, McDonough, Georgia 30253. Phone: (1-800-935-2967).

PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the 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.

1.KEEP children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult.

2.DO NOT allow children in yard when machine is operated (even with the blades OFF).

3.DO NOT allow children or others to ride on machine, attachments or towed equipment (even with the blades OFF). They may fall and be seriously injured.

4.DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate machine. Local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.

5.ALLOW only adults or responsible teenagers with mature judgment under close adult supervision to operate machine.

6.DO NOT operate blades in reverse. STOP BLADES. LOOK and SEE behind and down for children, pets and hazards before and while backing.

7.USE EXTRA CARE when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

PROTECTION AGAINST TIPOVERS

This machine is equipped with a roll bar protective structure, which, when used properly, can offer addi- tional security to the operator in the event of a tip-over accident. For proper protection, the roll bar must be raised and locked and the lap-style seat belt must be worn at all times.

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra CAUTION. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on the slope, DO NOT mow it. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments; these and turf conditions affect the han- dling and the stability of the machine.

1.DO NOT operate machine on slopes exceeding 15 degrees (27% grade).

2.Exercise EXTREME CAUTION on slopes above 10 degrees (18% grade). Turn blades OFF when travel- ing uphill. Use a slow speed and avoid sudden or sharp turns.

PROTECTION AGAINST TIPOVERS

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3.DO NOT operate machine back and forth across face of slopes. Operate up and down. Practice on slopes with blades off.

4.AVOID starting, stopping or turning on slopes. If machine stops going uphill or tires lose traction, turn blades OFF and back slowly straight down the slope.

5.STAY ALERT for holes and other hidden hazards. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Keep away from ditches, washouts, culverts, fences and protruding objects.

6.DO NOT operate machine near drop offs, ditches, embankments, washouts, culverts, fences and pro- truding objects. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE (at least 3 feet) away from edge of ditches and other drop offs. The machine could turn over if an edge caves in.

7.Always begin forward motion slowly and with cau- tion.

8.Use weights or a weighted load carrier in accor- dance with instructions supplied with a grass catch- er. DO NOT operate machine on slopes exceeding 10 degrees (18% grade) when equipped with grass catcher.

9.DO NOT put your foot on the ground to try to stabi- lize the machine.

10.DO NOT operate machine on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

11.Choose a low enough ground speed setting so that you will not have to stop or shift on a slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly.

12.DO NOT operate machine under any condition where traction, steering or stability is doubtful.

13.Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes. DO NOT shift to neutral (or actuate hydro roll release) and coast downhill.

14.DO NOT remove or modify any part of the roll bar protective structure. Do not fold the roll bar unless absolutely necessary. There is no roll-over protec- tion when the roll bar is folded.

15.Operator must be properly seated at all times, and must wear seat belt, snuggly fastened, at all times except when roll bar is folded.

16.DO NOT exceed the machine weight rating specified on the roll bar protective structure’s identification plate.