27.Use only accessories and attachments approved for this machine by the machine manufacturer. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory or attachment.
28.Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above, are involved in a large percentage of riding mower- related injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury.
29.If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Call the Customer Support Line for assistance.
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 degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
Do:
1.Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
2.Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3.Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly. Always keep machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
4.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
5.Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.
6.Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. 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.
7.Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
Do Not:
1.Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
2.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, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3.Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.
4.Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5.Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.
6.Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding may cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death.
7.Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are reduced, attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to overturn).
Children
1.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. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
a.Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
b.Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
c.Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children.
d.Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.
e.Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the machine.
f.Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in reverse. The “No-Cut-InReverse” feature is a reminder not to cut in reverse and to help avoid back over accidents. Do not defeat it.
g.Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
h.Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation.
2.Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
Towing
1.Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point.
2.Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3.Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
4.On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.
5.Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6.Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
Service
Gasoline:
1.To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.