3Section 2 — important Safe operation practiceS
27.  Do not attempt to mow unusually tall, 
dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry 
leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact 
the engine exhaust and/or build up on 
the mower deck presenting a potential 
fire hazard.
28. Do not stop or park the machine 
over dry leaves, grass, debris or other 
combustible material.
29. Never attempt to operate the machine 
without the mowing deck attached; the 
machine could tip over.
30.  Keep the machine and especially the 
engine exhaust system and hydraulic 
components clean and free of grease, 
grass and leaves to reduce the potential 
for overheating and fire.
31. Allow the machine to cool at least 5 
minutes before storing.
32.  Use only accessories and attachments 
approved for this machine by the 
machine manufacturer. Read, 
understand and follow all instructions 
provided with the approved accessory 
or attachment. 
33.  Data indicates that operators, age 60 
years and above, are involved in a large 
percentage of riding mower-related 
injuries. Operators should evaluate their 
ability to operate this machine safely 
enough to protect themselves and 
others from serious injury. 
34.  Do not operate or start machine if there 
is fuel or oil leaks; repair immediately.
35.  When looking for oil leaks, never run 
your hand over hydraulic hoses, lines 
or fittings. Never tighten or adjust 
hydraulic hoses, lines or fittings 
while the system is under pressure. If 
high-pressure oil penetrates the skin 
seek immediate medical attention or 
gangrene and permanent damage may 
result. Do not check for hydraulic leaks 
with your hands, use paper or cardboard 
instead. Wear gloves and safety glasses 
when checking for leaks.
36.  Do not operate machines that have been 
damaged or have not been properly 
maintained. If the machine has been 
damaged, then have it repaired.
37.  When operating this machine in the 
forward direction, do not allow the 
speed control levers to return to the 
neutral position on their own. Always 
operate them smoothly and avoid any 
sudden movements of the levers when 
starting or stopping.
38.  If situations occur which are not covered 
in this manual use care and good 
judgement. Contact your customer 
service representative for assistance.
Slope Operation
 WARNING
Do not operate the tractor without the wheel weights 
in place.
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of 
control and tip-over accidents that 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 or drive on 
the slope. 
For your safety, use the slope gauge included 
as part of this manual to measure slopes before 
operating this machine on a sloped or hilly 
area. If the slope is greater than 25 degrees (46 
percent) as shown on the slope gauge, do not 
operate this machine on that area or serious 
injury could result.
Do:
1. Mow across slopes, not up and down. 
Exercise extreme caution when 
changing direction on slopes.
2.  Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or 
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain 
could overturn the machine. Tall grass 
can hide obstacles.
3.  Use slow speed. Choose a low enough 
speed so that you will not have to stop 
while on the slope. Avoid starting or 
stopping on a slope. If the tires are 
unable to maintain traction, disengage 
the blades and proceed slowly and 
carefully straight down the slope. 
4. Keep all movements on the slopes 
slow and gradual. Do not make sudden 
changes in speed or direction. Rapid 
acceleration could cause the front of 
the machine to lift and rapidly flip over 
backwards, which could cause serious 
injury or death.
5.  Follow the manufacturer’s 
recommendations for wheel weights or 
counterweights to improve stability.
6.  Use extra care with grass catchers or 
other attachments. These can change 
the stability of the machine.
Do Not: 
1
. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; 
then turn slowly uphill and use extra care 
while turning.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches 
or embankments. The machine could 
suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the 
edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3. Do not operate on slopes or near the 
edge of water such as a lake, pond, river 
or stream where the machine could slip, 
tip or roll-over into the water.
4. Do not try to stabilize the machine by 
putting your foot on the ground.
5. Use extra care while operating tractor 
with grass catcher or other 
attachment(s). They can affect the 
stability of the tractor. Do not use grass 
catcher on slopes greater than 10° (17%). 
6. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced 
traction could cause sliding and/or loss 
of control.
7.  Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments
(e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on 
slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going 
downhill, the extra weight tends to push 
the machine and may cause loss of traction 
and loss of control (e.g. machine may 
speed up, braking and steering ability are 
reduced, attachment may jack-knife and 
cause machine to overturn).
Children
1. 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. 
They do not understand the dangers. 
Never assume that children will remain 
where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing 
area and in watchful care of a 
responsible adult other than the 
operator. 
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a 
child enters the area. 
c. Always look behind and down for 
small children. Use slow speed.
d. Never carry children, even with 
the blade(s) shut off. They may 
fall off and be seriously injured 
or interfere with safe machine 
operation.
e.  Use extreme care when 
approaching blind corners, 
doorways, shrubs, trees or other 
objects that may block your 
vision of a child who may run into 
the path of the machine.
f. To avoid back-over accidents, 
always disengage blades before 
traveling in reverse.
g.  Keep children away from hot or 
running engines. They can suffer 
burns from a hot muffler. 
h. Remove key when machine is 
unattended to   prevent 
unauthorized operation.
2.  Never allow children under 16 years of 
age to operate this machine. Children 16 
and over should read and understand 
the instructions and safe operation 
practices in this manual and on the 
machine and should be trained and 
supervised by an adult.