control. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes.
The Wright Stander is capable of greater trac- tion on slopes than typical riding mowers be- cause of the benefits of a lower center of grav- ity. It is essential for you to know more about the handling characteristics of the mower so that you can enjoy more efficient mowing techniques and for increasing your safety.
The Wright Stander mower handles differently at different angles of attack on a slope. It is impor- tant to understand the following differences so that you can use or avoid using the mower at different angles for the best advantage. Be aware that if you do a turn on a slope you may go through all of the following orientations to a slope and must handle the mower accordingly. As you use the mower you will gain the tech- nique to mow more lawn than ever before.
When pointing up a slope, the Stander 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 wheely”). 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.
Do not accelerate quickly to avoid "popping a wheely”. Accelerate gently.
If backing down the hill do not stop suddenly, but slow down gradually.
When pointing down a slope, the Stander has the least weight on the drive wheels and there- fore 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 the Stander. Recommendations for this angle:
Stretch your arms out straight while holding onto the handles and duck or squat slightly
Do not change speed suddenly to minimize
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the tendency of going into a slide. Acceler- ate and slow down gently. If you ever go into an uncontrolled slide while pointing down a slope the recommended proce- dure 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 at this orienta- tion.
When crossing a slope sideways, the Stander 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, as far as forward and back- ward are concerned, 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.
Do not accelerate quickly to minimize the tendency of "popping a wheely”. Acceler- ate gently.
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 8 and 12 psi. Higher pressures will cause the tires to have less traction which will force you to go slower and with less safety.
WARNING
Replacement Parts:
Use of parts other than specified parts supplied by Wright Manufacturing, Inc. may compromise the safe use of the mower and are not recom- mended.
