should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly.

17.Never make a cutting height adjustment while the engine is running if the operator must dis- mount to do so.

18.Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers.

19.Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury.

20.Disengage all attachment clutches, set the parking brake to the on position and put the lap bars to the neutral or out position, before attempting to start the engine.

21.Your mower is designed to cut normal resi- dential grass of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g. pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

22.Use only accessories approved for this machine by Cub Cadet. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory.

B.SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of con- trol 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 a part of this manual (see pg. 27) 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:

Mow across slopes, not up and down.

Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.

Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed so that you will not have to stop while on the slope.

Follow the manufacture’s recommendations for counterweights with attachments to improve sta- bility.

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

Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid acceleration or deceleration could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards, which could cause serious injury.

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

DO NOT:

Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and use extra care.

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embank- ments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

Do not use the grass catcher on steep slopes.

C.CHILDREN

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. Never assume that children will

remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator.

2.Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the area.

3.Before and when backing up, look behind and down for small children.

4.Never carry children, even with the blades off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or may interfere with safe machine operation.

5.Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate the machine under close parental supervision and proper instruc- tion.

6.Use extra care when approaching blind cor- ners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard.

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Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 50 service manual Slope Operation