Troy-Bilt 13A-344-563 Important Safe Operation Practices, General Operation, Slope Operation

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate your rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol— heed its warning.

Your rider mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

General Operation

•Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

•Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the machine quickly.

•Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near rotating parts.

•Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.

•Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

•Never carry passengers.

•Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down and behind before and while backing.

•Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.

•Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

•Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.

•Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.

•Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.

•Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

•Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

•Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly.

•Never make cutting height adjustment while engine is running, if operator must dismount to do so.

•Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers.

•Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury.

•Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start engine.

•Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

Slope Operation

•Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.

•For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit in that area or serious injury could result.

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