17

Uneven Terrain Mowing Safety Practices

(continued)

— Use extreme care to maintain control over the
equipment when operating in these conditions.
— Increase tractor stability by adding wheel weights,
ballast and increasing wheel spacing to maximum.
Refer to operator’s manual for recommendations.
— Maintain minimum ground speed.
— Make wide and gradual turns.
— Avoid sudden starts, stops, and turns when operating
up, down, or across slopes.
— Do not raise rear-mount or side-mount mowers or
mower wings from the ground during these operations.
— Keep alert for holes, bumps, ruts, rocks, stumps or
other obstructions that could overturn the machine.
— Avoid slippery ground conditions that could cause
loss of control and overturn of tractor and mower.
— Avoid bottoming and striking the ground by diagonal
crossing of sharp dips and drops.
Use extreme care in maintaining equipment stability
during all uneven terrain and slope mowing operations.
You are the  nal judge as to any slope that can be safely
negotiated.
Maintain
Control, Use Low
Speeds
Add Ballast,
Widen Wheel
Spacing
Avoid Ruts,
Bumps, Holes
Operate Safely
Operate Safely

Road Transport Safety Practices

Before operating on public roads:
— Refer to tractor and mower manufacturers’ operator’s
manuals for instructions.
— Explain the instructions to those users or operators
who cannot read.
— Check local regulations for required equipment
markings, lights,  ashers, etc., while traveling on
public roads. Lights are required on mowers that
obscure tractor taillights and/or warning lights.
— When transporting the mower on a trailer, follow the
manufacturer’s detailed instructions for loading, tying
down and unloading the mower.
Before transporting on public roads:
— Disengage PTO power to mower.
— Raise mower into transport position and engage
transport lock.
— Lock mower wings in the transport position with
approved locking devices.
— Attach towing safety chain between pull-type mower
and tractor.
— Make sure lights, warning lights and re ectors are in
place and visible.
— Check SMV (Slow-Moving Vehicle) emblem for
visibility to any rear-approaching vehicle.
While transporting on public roads:
— Obey all local traf c regulations.
— Approach intersections with caution.
— Observe speed and traf c control signs.
— Avoid panic stops and sharp turns.
Be a courteous operator and pull over periodically and
allow traf c to pass.
Read and
Understand
Manuals Before
Operating
STOP
YIELD
Obey Traffi c
Regulations