5Section 2 — important Safe operation practiceS
28. Never attempt to operate the machine without the
mowing deck attached; the machine could tip over.
29. 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.
30. Allow the machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. Do not operate or start machine if there is fuel or oil leaks;
repair immediately.
34. 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.
35. Do not operate machines that have been damaged or have
not been properly maintained. If the machine has been
damaged, then have it repaired.
36. 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.
37. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual use
care and good judgement. Contact your customer service
representative for assistance.
Slope Operation
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 20 degrees 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. Do not use a grass catcher on slopes steeper than 15
degrees.
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.
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