Safety
•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 loss of traction may occur going downhill. Weight transfer to the front wheels may cause drive wheels to slip and cause 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 Ultra Vac, 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 Ultra Vac 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 Ultra Vac hopper fills with grass clippings. Use progressively greater care on slopes as the hopper fills.
Maintenance and Storage
•Disengage drives, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key or disconnect spark plug wire. Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning or repairing.
•Use care when checking blades. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use caution when servicing them. Only replace blades. Never straighten or weld them.
•Keep all guards, shields and all safety devices in place and in safe working condition.
•Check all bolts frequently to maintain proper tightness.
•Frequently check for worn or deteriorating components that could create a hazard.
•All replacement parts must be the same as or equivalent to the parts supplied as original equipment.
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