30. Keep the mower 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 mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
32. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this mower by the mower
manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all instructions provided with the
approved accessory or attachment.
33. Data indicates that operators, age 65 years and above, are involved in a large
percentage of mower-related injuries. Operators should evaluate their ability
to operate this mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from
serious injury.
34. Do not operate or start mower if there are 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 mowers that have been damaged or have not been properly
maintained. If the mower has been damaged, have it repaired.
37. When operating this mower 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
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 mower on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater
than 15° (26%) as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this mower 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 mower. 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 slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in
speed or direction. Rapid acceleration could cause the front of the mower 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 mower.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
3
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 mower 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 mower could slip, tip, or roll-over into the water.
4. Do not try to stabilize the mower by putting your foot on the ground.
5. Use extra care while operating mower with grass catcher or other attachment(s).
They can affect the stability of the mower. 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.
SLOPE GAUGE (BACK COVER)
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in
severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on
the slope, do not mow it. Do not mow on slopes greater than 15° (26%). Do
not mow up and down slopes, only mow across slopes.
USE THE SLOPE GAUGE ON THE BACK COVER AS SHOWN TO DETERMINE IF A SLOPE IS
TOO STEEP FOR SAFE OPERATION!
To check the slope, proceed as follows:
1. Open manual to the back cover and fold along the dashed line.
2. Locate a vertical object on or behind the slope (e.g., a pole, building, fence,
tree, etc.).
3. Align either side of the slope gauge with the object.
4. Adjust gauge up or down until the left corner touches the slope.
5. If there is a gap below the gauge, the slope is too steep for safe operation.
CHILDREN
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the mower 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 mower 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 or
interfere with safe mower operation, causing serious injury or death.
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 mower.
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 mower is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation.
WARNING