Operation manual – Spider MINI
33 / 53 rev. 02-01-10-2011
9.9. DRIVING ON SLOPES
Driving on slopes is very demanding for the operator, as they constantly have to evaluate information about
the movement of machine and the character of the terrain. Especially important is the wheel adhesion to the
grass or other surface and the mower tilt angle. Pay attention to climatic conditions. The climbing ability of
the mower will be radically different on dry, wet or moist grass slopes.
The mower may work on slopes up to 30 degrees only when the surface (grass) is dry- If the
surface (grass) is wet or moist the maximum slope, on which work is permitted, is 20 degrees.
Examine closely the working area. Evaluate the situation and test the possibilities and characteristics of the
specific terrain. Do not take chances. If the mower loses traction, you have lost control, stop mowing and re-
evaluate the conditions.
The driving wheels of the mower have to be evenly inflated to the prescribed value of 200 kPa
(2bar / 28 PSI). The maximum tyre pressure according to the tyre manufacturer is 220 kPa (2,2
bar / 30 PSI). The tyres must not be underinflated or overinflated.
Start your work at the bottom of the slope and proceed to the top. This way you will be usually moving from
less to more steep slopes, which will give you a better chance to evaluate the climbing ability and make the
right decisions concerning further work. If you begin to mow steeper slopes first, it may happen that – due to
adverse conditions - the mower will slip on the slope. Due to dynamic effects the mower may even roll over.
The method of cutting from the top of the hill to the bottom should only be used exceptionally when the
operator is in detail acquainted with the terrain.
If the mower is slipping, do not try to stop it and do not approach it, especially the area below
the mower. Do not touch or approach the mower if the wheels are lifted, the mower tilted, in an
unstable position or starting to roll over.
Before operating on slopes, make sure that no other person is below the mower, above the
mower, below or inside the working area. Do not endanger third persons by the movement of
the mower.
Choose your operating position away from the area to which the mower may slide or to which the mowed
grass may be thrown. The direction of the discharged grass may change while operating according to the
driving direction of the mower.
When working on slopes and when driving in an unknown terrain, make sure that the fold-out
bumpers are locked in a horizontal position. The fold-out bumpers increase the mower
resistance against rolling over. For correct functioning the bumpers must be undamaged and
properly locked.
When working on slopes avoid the following:
Sudden, sharp steering or braking
Rapid acceleration uphill or braking downhill, sharp change of driving direction
High driving speed
Driving on uneven surface
Changing adhesion (moving from areas exposed to sun to shade etc.)
Stopping on the slope and shutting off the engine.
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