to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pas- ture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust pre- senting a potential fire hazard.
2. SLOPE OPERATION
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 it, do not mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO:
•Mow up and down slopes, not across.
•Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
•Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
•Use slow speed. Choose a low enough gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
•Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stabil- ity.
•Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach- ments. These can change the stability of the machine.
•Keep all movement on the slopes slow and grad- ual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which could cause serious injury.
•Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
•Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
•Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embank- ments.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.
3.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 chil- dren will remain where you last saw them.
•Keep children out of the mowing area and in watch- ful care of an adult other than the operator.
•Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
•Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children.
•Never carry children. They may fall off and be seri- ously injured or interfere with the safe machine operation.
•Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate machine under close parental supervi- sion and proper instruction.
•Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard.
•Remove key when machine is unattended to pre- vent unauthorized operation.
4.SERVICE
•Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
•Use only an approved container.
•Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
•Replace fuel cap securely and wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.
•Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
•Never refuel the machine indoors because fuel vapors will accumulate in the area.
•Never store the fuel container or machine inside where there is an open flame or spark, such as a gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace.
•Never run a machine inside a closed area.
•To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
•Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make cer- tain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
•Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at fre- quent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications.
•Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
•Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. Use all guards as instructed in this manual.