Exmark 4500-438 rev. a manual Slope Operation

Safety

•Stop the blades, slow down, and use caution when crossing surfaces other than grass and when transporting the mower to and from the area to be mowed.

•Be aware of the mower discharge path and direct discharge away from others.

Slope Operation

Use Extreme caution when mowing and/or turning on slopes as loss of traction and/or tip-over could occur. The operator is responsible for safe operation on slopes.

DANGER

Operating on wet grass or steep slopes can cause sliding and loss of control. Wheels dropping over edges, ditches, steep banks, or water can cause rollovers, which may result in serious injury, death or drowning.

•Do Not mow slopes when grass is wet.

•Do Not mow near drop-offs or near water.

•Do Not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.

•Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.

•Avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.

•See inside the back cover to determine the approximate slope angle of the area to be mowed.

•Use a walk behind mower and/or a hand trimmer near drop-offs, ditches, steep banks or water. (Figure 3).

Figure 3

1.Safe Zone-Use the mower here on slopes less than 15 degrees

2.Danger Zone–Use walk behind mower and/or hand trimmer on slopes greater than 15 degrees, near drop-offs and water.

3.Water

•Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. from the mowing area. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

•Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips and rises that change the operating angle, as rough terrain could overturn the machine.

•Avoid sudden starts when mowing uphill because the mower may tip backwards.

•Be aware that operating on wet grass, across steep slopes or downhill may cause the mower to lose traction. Loss of traction to the drive wheels may result in sliding and a loss of braking and steering.

•Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly off the slope.

•Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counter weights to improve stability. Always install and remove the Bagger, including counter weights, as instructed. Failure to do so will cause a reduction in stability or traction. Do Not operate the mower with only a portion of the Bagger installed.

•Use extreme care with grass catchers or attachments. These can change the stability of the machine and cause loss of control. The stability and traction of the machine will change as the Bagger fills with grass clippings. Use progressively greater care on slopes as the Bagger fills.

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