Safety - 4
SAFETY
Rotating Blades are Dangerous
HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:
• Rotating blades can cut off arms and legs.
• Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck
when engine is running.
• Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People,
especially children can move quickly into the mowing area
before you know it.
• Before backing up, shut off PTO and look down and
behind the machine carefully, especially for children.
• Do not mow in reverse.
• Shut off blades when you are not mowing.
• Do not operate machine if you are under the influence of
drugs or alcohol.
• Park machine safely before inspecting or unplugging
mower or bagger.
PROTECT CHILDREN:
• Never assume that children will remain where you last
saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay
alert to the presence of children.
• Keep children indoors when you are mowing. Turn the
machine off if a child enters the mowing area.
• Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your vision.
• Do not let children or an untrained person operate the
machine.
• Do not carry or let children ride on any attachment or
machine even with the blades off. Do not tow children in a
cart or trailer.
Avoid Tipping
• Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and
tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or
death. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy
on it, do not mow it.
• Do not drive where machine could slip or tip.
• Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards in the
terrain.
• Keep away from drop-offs, ditches and embankments.
• Slow down before you make a sharp turn or operate on
a slope. Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop
or shift while on the slope.
• Limit loads to those you can safely control. Use only
approved hitches when pulling loads or using heavy
equipment. Use counterweights or wheel weights as
required in this manual or your attachment manual.
• Use wheel weights for added stability when operating on
slopes or using rear mounted attachments.
• Drive up and down a hill - not across. Turn slowly and
turn downhill. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Do not stop when going up hill or down hill. If machine
stops going up hill, disengage mower blades and back
down slowly.
• Mowing when grass is wet can cause reduced traction
and sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.