Swisher WB80042F owner manual Operating Your New Cutter, Slope Operation, Propulsion

OPERATING YOUR NEW CUTTER

The operation of any cutter can encounter foreign objects to be thrown into the eyes, resulting in severe eye damage. Always wear certified safety glasses or wide-vision safety goggles for over spectacles before staring any cutting machine and while operating such a machine.

The operation of any cutter produces sound waves that are damaging to the human ear. Ear protection is recommended.

CAUTION!

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.

SLOPE OPERATION!

Use extra caution when mowing on slopes. Operate self-propelled units up and down slopes. There is a significant risk of overturns when operating across slopes. If you feel uneasy on a slope then do not mow it.

PROPULSION

The Finishing Touch is self-propelled, and is controlled by a “GROUND CONTROL” bail. To engage the drive, put the transaxle in a gear and activate the lower bail. Releasing the bail will disengage the self-propel and activate the parking brake.

Under most conditions cutting should be done in a low gear (1st, 2nd or, 3rd). Upper gears should be used for conditions where grass is thinned out or not as tall. In confined areas the machine can be pushed forwards or backwards by releasing the “GROUND CONTROL” bail, placing the transaxle in neutral, re-activating the “GROUND CONTROL” bail, which releases the parking brake, and then maneuvering the machine.

This machine should not be operated in any reverse motion with the blades engaged.

TRAVEL SPEED can be varied by choosing a higher or lower gear using the gearshift lever at the rear of the machine or by changing the engine speed with the engine throttle. Do not adjust speed with blades engaged. To shift the cutter into reverse, release “GROUND CONTROL” bail, disengage blade, and rotate the shift lever to the left. When the lever stops, lift up and continue to turn it to the left until it stops again.