Prepartion, Starting and Stopping Safety

PREPARTION

Never operate the tractor and mower until you have read and completely under- stand this manual, the Tractor Operator’s Manual, and each of the safety mes- sages found on the safety signs on the tractor and mower.

Personal protection equipment including hardhat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and gloves are recommended during assembly, installation, operation, adjustment, maintenance, re- pairing, removal, or moving the implement. Do not allow long hair, loose fitting clothing, or jewelry to be around equipment.

PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO LOUD NOISE MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS! Tractors with or without mowers attached can often be noisy enough to cause per- manent, partial hearing loss. We recommend that you wear hearing protection on a full- time basis if the noise in the operator’s position exceeds 80 db. Noise over 80 db on a long-term basis can cause severe hearing loss. Noise over 90 db adjacent to the operator over a long-term basis may cause permanent, total hearing loss. NOTE: Hearing loss from loud noise (from tractors, chain saws, radios, and other such sources close to the ear) is cumulative over a lifetime without hope of natural recovery.

Operate the mower only with a tractor equipped with an approved Roll-Over-Protective System (ROPS). Always wear your seat belt. Serious injury of even death could result from falling off the tractor — particularly during a turnover when the operator could be pinned under the ROPS or the tractor.

Clear area to be cut of stones, branches or other debris that might be thrown, causing in- jury or damage.

Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.

Ensure mower is properly mounted, adjusted and in good operating condition.

Ensure that all safety shielding and safety signs are properly installed and in good condi- tion.

STARTING AND STOPPING SAFETY

Check the tractor master shield over the PTO stub shaft. Make sure it is in good condition and fastened securely to the tractor. Purchase a new shield if old shield is damaged or missing.

All tractors that are not equipped with a “live” power takeoff (PTO) need to be equipped with an over-running PTO clutch. These are available through most farm equipment stores. NOTE: The addition of an over-running PTO clutch may change the length of the PTO driveline required. Pay extra attention to the instructions on the PTO driveline Instal- lation. Be sure that the driveline system guarding is adequate.

Mower operating power is supplied from tractor PTO. Refer to your tractor manual for PTO engagement and disengagement instructions. Know how to stop tractor and mower quickly in case of an emergency.

When engaging PTO, the engine RPM should always be at idle speed. Once engaged and ready to start cutting, raise PTO speed to 540 RPM and maintain throughout cutting opera-