Mowing Slopes, Seat Belt Useage | Woods Equipment MZ2252K guide

WOODS

SAFETY

	MOWING SLOPES	WARNING
	Slopes are a major factor in	WARNING
	Slopes are a major factor in
	loss-of-control and tipover
	accidents that sometimes lead
	to severe injury or death. All
	slopes require extra caution.

–Do not mow on slopes if uneasy or uncertain.

Ultimate reponsibility for safe operation on slopes rests with the operator.

–Do not mow excessively steep slopes.

–With ride-on machines, including articulated steering machines, mow up and down slopes, not across, except for zero turn machines. Zero turn machines should mow across slopes.

–With walk-behind machines, always mow across slopes, not up and down.

–Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

–With a zero turn machine, if tires lose traction going down a slope, steering control may be regained by speeding up.

–Mid-mount zero turns (belly mounted deck) have much greater traction pointed up slope than down slope. Be aware that traction may be lost going down a slope. Do not operate a mid-mount zero turn on slopes it cannot back up.

–Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

–Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then turn slowly and downhill when possible.

–Stay away from slopes if the ground is loose or if caught in the rain during mowing.

–Use lower speeds on a slope to avoid stopping or shifting.

–Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

–Avoid driving over ruts, holes, rocks and roots whenever possible. Be alert to dips and rises. Uneven terrain can overturn a mower or cause it to slide.

–Do not mow dropoffs, ditches or embankments. The machine could suddenly turn over if a wheel runs over the edge or an edge caves in.

–Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.

Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS)

•Fixed and folding Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS) are available as optional accessories for this machine.

•If a ROPS is installed and the machine is overturning, hold onto the steering levers. Do not attempt to jump out or leave the seat. Wear the seatbelt

SEAT BELT USEAGE

Fixed ROPS

•WEAR the seat belt whenever a fixed ROPS is installed. Always keep seat belt snugly adjusted. DO NOT use seat belts on a machine without a ROPS.

Folding ROPS

ROPS in Vertical Position

•The ROPS should be in the vertical position for normal operation. WEAR the seatbelt when the ROPS is in the vertical position.

ROPS in Folded Position

•A folding ROPS allows the overall height of the machine to be reduced for increased clearance to get into a low ceiling height trailer or under low hanging branches. DO NOT wear the seatbelt when the ROPS is folded. Stop the machine and restore the ROPS to the vertical position as soon as the need for increased clearance is past.

A ROPS is a Roll Over Protective Structure. It is intended to provide protection to the operator in the event a machine turns over in the course of operation. It is not designed or made to provide protection for a machine that is driven off an embankment, retaining wall or similar structure or terrain feature. A ROPS does not replace the need to exercise care when operating on slopes.