II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Opera- tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
• Mow up and down slopes; not across. |
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or |
either hidden objects. Uneven terrain |
could overturn the machine. Tall grass |
can hide obstacles. |
• Choose a low ground speed so that you |
will not have to stop or shift while on the |
slope. |
• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may |
lose traction. |
Always keep the machine in gear when |
going down slopes. Do not shift to neu- |
tral and coast downhill. |
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a |
slope. If the tires lose traction, disen- |
gage the blades and proceed slowly |
straight down the slope. |
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow |
and gradual. Do not make sudden |
changes in speed or direction, which |
could cause the machine to roll over. |
• Use extra care while operating machine |
. with grass catchers or other attach- |
• Never carry children, even with the | | • | Remove gas-powered equipment from | • | Keep machine | free of grass, | leaves, or |
| blades | shutoff. | They may fall off and | |
| | | the truck | or trailer and | refuel | it on the | | | other debris | build-up. | Clean | oil or fuel |
| be seriously injured or interfere with | | | | |
| | | ground. | If this | is not possible, | then | | | . spillage and remove any fuel-soaked |
| safe machine operation. Children who | | | | |
| | | refuel such equipment | with | a portable | | debris. | Allow | machine to cool | before |
| have been given rides in the past may | | | |
| | | container, | rather than | from | a gasoline | | | storing. | | | | | | | | | |
| suddenly appear in the mowing area for | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | dispenser | nozzle. | | | | | • | If you strike | a foreign | | object, | stop | and |
| another ride and be run over or backed | I | | | | | | |
| • | Keep the nozzle in contact | with the rim | | inspect | the machine. | | Repair, | if neces- |
| over by the machine. | | | |
| | | of the fuel tank | or container | opening | at | | sary, before | restarting. | | | | | |
• | Never | allow children to operate the | | | | | | or repairs |
| machine. | | | | | all times | until fueling is complete. Do | not | | Never make | any adjustments | |
| | | | | use a nozzle lock-open device. | | | with the engine running. | | | | |
• Use extra care when approaching blind | | | | | | | | |
| | If fuel is spilled | on clothing, | change | | | Check grass | catcher | components | and |
| corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects | | | | |
| | | clothing | immediately. | | | | | | the discharge | guard | frequently | and re- |
| that may block your view of a child. | | | | | | | |
| | | Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap | | place with manufacturer's | recommended |
IV. TOWING | | | | | |
| | | | and tighten | securely. | | | | | | parts, when | necessary. | | | | |
• | Tow only with a machine | that has a | | GENERAL | SERVICE | | | | | • | Mower blades | are sharp. | Wrap the |
| hitch designed for towing. | Do not attach | | • | Never operate | machine in a closed area. | | blade or wear | gloves, | and use extra cau- |
| towed | equipment | except | at the hitch | | • | Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure | | tion when servicing them. | | | | |
| point. | | | | | | the equipment | is in safe working condi- | | Check | brake | operation | frequently. | Adjust |
• | Follow the manufacturer's | recommenda. | | | tion. | | | | | | | | | and service | as required. | | | | |
| tion for weight limits for towed equip- | | • | Never tamper with safety devices. | | | Maintain or replace safety and instruc- |
• | ment and towing | on slopes. | | | Chec~ their proper operation | regularly. | | tion labels, as necessary. | | | | |
Never | allow children or others in or on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| towed | equipment. | | | | @~~~~ | | | | | | | | | |
V. SERVICE | | | | | | | | | | | | |
• On slopes, the weight of the towed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
ments; they can affect the stability of the |
machine. Do no use on steep slopes. |
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by |
putting your foot on the ground. |
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, |
or embankments. The machine could |
suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the |
edge or if the edge caves in. |
III. 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.
•Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
•Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
•Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children.
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
•Use only approved gasoline container. Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.
•Never fuel the machine indoors.
•Never store the machine or fuel con- tainer where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliances.
•Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle when filling.
•Be sure the area is clear of bystand- ers before operating. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
•Never carry passengers.
Do not mow in reverse unless abso- lutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while backing.
•Never carry children, even with the
blades shut off. They may fall off and
. be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation. Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
•Keep children out .of the mowing area and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
•Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
•Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children.
•Mow up and down slopes (150 Max), not across.
•Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope .
•Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction, disen- gage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
If machine stops while going uphill, disengage blades, shift into reverse and back down slowly.
•Do not turn on slopes unless neces- sary, and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible .
