OPERATING MACHINE
Operate Safely
•In addition to reading your Operator’s Manual, view your Mowing Safety Video.
•Check brake action before you operate. Adjust or service brakes as necessary.
•Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure guards and shields are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments before you operate.
•Clear work area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and pets out of the work area. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
•If you hit an object, stop the machine and inspect it. Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine and attachments properly maintained and in good working order.
•DO NOT leave machine unattended when it is running.
•Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.
•Be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.
•Do not wear radio or music headphones while operating the machine. Safe operation requires your full attention.
•Older adults are involved in a large percentage of riding mower accidents involving injury. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate a mower safely enough to protect the operator and others from serious injury.
Park Safely
•Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.
•Disengage mower blades.
•Lower attachments to the ground.
•Engage park brake.
•STOP engine.
•Remove key.
•Before you leave the operator’s seat, wait for engine and all moving parts to STOP.
Rotating Blades are Dangerous - Protect Children and Prevent Accidents
PROTECT CHILDREN:
•Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay alert to the presence of children.
•Keep children in the house when you are operating the machine.
•Turn machine off if a child enters the mowing area.
•Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your vision.
•DO NOT let children or an untrained person operate the machine.
•DO NOT carry or let children ride on machine or any attachment even with the blades off. DO NOT tow children in a cart or trailer.
HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:
•Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.
•Back carefully. Disengage mower blades and look behind the machine carefully, especially for children, before you back up.
•DO NOT mow in reverse unless it is absolutely necessary.
•Disengage mower blades when you are not mowing.
•DO NOT operate machine if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Operating Machine - 5
