Operational Safety

The use of this equipment is subject to certain hazards that cannot be pro- tected against by the mechanical means or product design. All operators of this equipment must read and understand this entire manual, paying particular attention to safety and operating instructions, prior to using. If there is some- thing in this manual you do not understand, ask your supervisor, or your dealer, to explain it to you.

Most accidents occur because of neglect or carelessness. Keep all helpers and bystanders at least several hundred feet from an operating finishing mower. Only properly trained people should operate this machine.

When machine is operated in populated areas where thrown objects could in- jure persons or property, operation must be stopped when anyone comes within several hundred feet.

The majority of the accidents involve entanglement on the driveline, injury of bystanders by the objects thrown by the rotating blades, and operators being knocked off the tractor by low hanging limbs and then being run over by the mower. Accidents are most likely to occur with machines that are loaned or rented to someone who has not read the owner’s manual and is not familiar with a finishing mower.

The finishing mower is designed for use only on tractors with 540-RPMpower take off.

Install and secure all guards and shields before starting or operating. The dis- charge chute, bands, flaps, driveline guards and tractor, shields should be used and maintained in good working condition. They should be inspected carefully, at least daily, for missing or broken cable, chain links, shields, or guards. (Worn items must be replaced at once to reduce possibility of injury)

Disengage power takeoff (PTO) and place transmission in neutral before at- tempting to start engine.

Many varied objects, such as wire, cable, rope, or chains, can become entan- gled in the operating parts of the mower. These items could then swing out side the housing at greater velocities than the blades. Such a situation is ex- tremely hazardous. Inspect the cutting area for such objects before mowing. Remove any like objects from the site.