Wright Manufacturing 4216, 4219, 4215, 4212, 4211 Operation on Slopes, Fuel Safety, Hydraulic Safety

WARNING

Operation on Slopes

DO NOT operate on steep slopes. Do not operate the mower on slopes steeper than you can feel secure about the traction of the tires and the stability of the mower. Do not operate the mower on slopes at all when the grass is wet. There is a danger of suddenly sliding sideways or down the hill. When operating on a slope, travel across the grade whenever possible, not in an up or down pattern. Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of control. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes.

When pointing up a slope, your mower has the most weight on the drive wheels and therefore the most traction at the tires. However, this is the angle that it has the most tendency to tip back (“pop a wheelie.”) This is the preferred angle for mowing small areas of steeper slopes.

Recommendations for this angle:

•Lean as far forward as possible to add your weight to the front of the mower.

•Accelerate gently. Do not accelerate quickly to avoid “popping a wheelie”.

•If backing down the hill, do not stop suddenly but slow down gradually.

When pointing down a slope, your mower has the least weight on the rear drive wheels and therefore the least traction at the tires. This is the angle that the mower has the most tendency to slide. However, this is the angle that it has the least tendency to tip back. Avoid this angle, as it has the least advantage for your mower.

Recommendations for this angle:

•Lean back with arms stretched out straight while holding onto the stationary handlebar. This transfers more of your body weight to the rear drive wheels for more traction.

•Do not change speed suddenly to minimize the tendency of going into a slide. Accelerate and decelerate gently. If you ever go into an uncontrolled slide while pointing down a slope the recommended procedure is to let go of the handles and jump off if necessary. Otherwise, control the mower gently and stay off slopes that tend to make the wheels slide.

When crossing a slope sideways, your mower has the average amount of weight on the drive wheels versus the front wheels, similar to level ground. However, this angle leaves the least

weight on the higher side drive wheel, tending to make it slip. This is the preferred angle for mowing large areas of gentle slopes.

Recommendations for this angle:

•Stand straight, but lean sideways, toward the uphill

side and stand on the uphill side of the foot platform. This adds weight to the higher side drive wheel and will allow you to mow more quickly across the slope without sliding.

•To reduce the chances of “popping-a-wheelie”, do not accelerate quickly.

Note: Excessively worn tire tread is dangerous. Replace tire(s) with less than 3/32” of any tread groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern recommended by Wright Mfg., Inc. only. Keep the tire pressure in the drive tires between 18 and 22 psi. Higher pressures will cause the tires to have less traction which may prevent safe operation.

WARNING

Fuel Safety

Handle gasoline with care – it is highly flammable. Do not smoke while handling gasoline. Use an approved gasoline container. Never remove the fuel cap or add gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that has not been allowed to cool for several minutes after running. Never fill the tank indoors and always clean up spilled gas. NEVER store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

WARNING

Hydraulic Safety

Keep body and hands away from pin holes or fittings that eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. Use paper or cardboard and not hands to search for leaks. Hydraulic fluid escaping under high pressure may have sufficient force to penetrate skin and cause serious injury. If foreign fluid is injected into the skin, it must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor familiar with this form of injury or gangrene may result. Seek medical attention immediately. Make sure all hydraulic fluid connections are tight and all hydraulic hoses and lines are in good condition before starting your Wright mower. Hydraulic fluid is under high

pressure. If you need service on your hydraulic system, please see your authorized Wright dealer.

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