OPERATOR SAFETY

SLOPE OPERATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING

 

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-

 

 

 

Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6 percent

over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.

 

Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you can-

 

(10°) which is a rise of 3-1/2 feet (106 cm) vertically in

 

20 feet (607 cm) horizontally.

not back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not

 

 

When operating on slopes use additional wheel

operate on it.

 

 

 

 

Control of a walk-behind or ride-on machine sliding on a

 

weights or counterweights. See your dealer/retailer

 

to determine which weights are available and

slope will not be regained by the application of the brake.

 

 

appropriate for your unit.

The main reasons for loss of control are: insufficient tire

 

 

Select slow ground speed before driving onto

grip on the ground, speed too fast, inadequate braking, the

 

 

slope. In addition to front weights, use extra caution

type of machine is unsuitable for its task, lack of aware-

 

 

when operating on slopes with rear-mounted grass

ness of the ground conditions, incorrect hitching and load

 

 

catchers.

 

 

 

distribution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mow UP and DOWN the slope, never across the

1. Mow up and down slopes, not across.

 

 

 

 

 

 

face, use caution when changing directions and DO

2. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could

 

 

NOT START OR STOP ON SLOPE.

overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Choose a slow speed so that you will not have to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stop or change speeds while on the slope.

 

 

CHILDREN

 

 

 

4. Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may loose traction.

 

 

 

5. Always keep unit in gear especially when traveling

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the

down slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast down-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

hill.

 

 

 

presence of children. Children are often attracted to the

 

 

 

for

g activity. Never assume that children

6. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If tires

unit and the mowi

lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed

will emain where you last saw them.

slowly straight down the slope.

 

 

 

1. Keep ch ldren

ut

f the mowing area and under the

7. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do

 

watchful care

f an

ther responsible adult.

not make sudden changes in speed or direction,

 

2. Be alert and urn unit off if children enter the area.

which could cause the machine to rollover.

 

 

3. Before and dur ng reverse operation, look behind and

8. Use extra care while operating machines wi h grass

 

down for small children.

catchers or other attachments; they can affect

he

4. Never arry children, even with the blade(s) off. They

stability of the unit. Do not use on steep sl pes.

 

 

may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with

9. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting y

ur

 

safe nit operation. Children who have been given

foot on the ground (ride-on units).

 

 

 

ri es in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing

10. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embank-

 

 

area for another ride and be run over or backed over

ments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a

 

 

by the machine.

 

 

wheel is over the edge of a cliff orNotditch, or if an edge

5. Never allow children to operate the unit.

caves in.

 

 

 

6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners,

11. Do not use grass catchers on steep slo es.

 

 

 

shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vi-

12. Do not mow slopes you cannot back up th m.

 

 

 

sion.

 

 

 

13. See your authorized dealer/retailer for r commenda-

 

 

 

 

 

tions of wheel weights or counterw ights to improve

EMISSIONS

 

 

 

stability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

14. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

 

1. Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals

15. Use slow speed. Tires may lose traction on slopes

 

known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth

even through the brakes are functioning properly.

 

defects, or other reproductive harm.

16. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,

2. Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and

turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

 

 

 

Air Index information on the engine emissions label.

TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS)

1.Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point.

2.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for weight limit for towed equipment and towing on slopes.

3.Never allow children or others in or on towed equip- ment.

4.On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.

5.Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.

6.Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.

IGNITION SYSTEM

1.This spark ignition system complies with Canadian ICES-002.

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