SAFETY • Use only approved hitches. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the approved hitch point. • On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade can cause other blades to rotate. • Keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from any moving parts, to prevent them from getting caught. • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes. • If you cannot back up a slope with a towed load, the slope is too steep to operate on with the towed load. Reduce the towed load or do not operate.
• Lower any attachments to the ground before cleaning or servicing machine. Disengage all power and stop the engine. Lock park brake and remove the key. Let machine cool. • Do not turn sharply. Use additional caution when turning or operating under adverse surface conditions. Use care when reversing. • Securely support any machine elements that must be raised for service work. Use jack stands or lock service latches to support components when needed. • Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. • Disconnect battery or remove spark plug wire (for gasoline engines) before making any repairs. Disconnect negative terminal first and positive last.
Install positive terminal first and negative last. Wear Appropriate Clothing • Always wear eye protection when operating the machine. • Before servicing machine or attachment, carefully release pressure from any components with stored energy, such as hydraulic components or springs. • Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job. • While mowing, always wear substantial footwear and long trousers. Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or wearing open sandals. • Keep all parts in good condition and properly installed. Fix damage immediately. Replace worn or broken parts. • Wear a suitable protective device such as earplugs.
Loud noise can cause impairment or loss of hearing. • Charge batteries in an open, well-ventilated area, away from sparks. Unplug battery charger before connecting or disconnecting from the battery. Wear protective clothing and use insulated tools. Driving Safely on Public Roads • Do not strike the flywheel with a hammer or hard object because the flywheel may later shatter during operation. Avoid personal injury or death resulting from a collision with another vehicle on public roads: • If equipped with hydraulic lift - release hydraulic pressure by lowering attachment or cutting units to the ground or to a mechanical stop and move hydraulic control levers back and forth.
• Use safety lights and devices. Slow moving machines when driven on public roads are hard to see, especially at night. Avoid High Pressure Fluids • Whenever driving on public roads, use flashing warning lights and turn signals according to local regulations. Extra flashing warning lights may need to be installed. • Hydraulic hoses and lines can fail due to physical damage, kinks, age, and exposure. Check hoses and lines regularly. Replace damaged hoses and lines. Practice Safe Maintenance • Only qualified, trained adults should service this machine. Understand service procedure before doing work. • Hydraulic fluid connections can loosen due to physical damage and vibration.
Check connections regularly. Tighten loose connections. • Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure. • Never operate machine in a closed area where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect. • Keep all nuts and bolts tight, especially blade attachment bolts, to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. • Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard. Protect hands and body from high pressure fluids. • If an accident occurs, see a doctor immediately.
Any fluid injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours or gangrene may result. Doctors unfamiliar with this type of injury should reference a knowledgeable medical source. Such information is available from Deere & Company Medical Department in Moline, Illinois, U.S.A. Information may be obtained in the United States and Canada only by calling 1-800-822- 8262. • Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. • Keep machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel-soaked debris. Allow the machine to cool before storing. • If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the machine.
Repair, if necessary, before restarting. • Never make any adjustments or repairs with the engine running. Wait for all movement to stop on machine before adjusting, cleaning or repairing. Prevent Fires • Machine fires and structure fires can occur if a machine is stored before allowing it to cool, if debris is not removed from critical areas of the machine, or if machine is stored near combustible materials. • Check grasscatcher components and the discharge guard frequently and replace with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when necessary. Grasscatcher components are subject to wear, damage, and deterioration which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown.
• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra care when servicing them. Only replace blades. Never straighten or weld them. • Remove grass and debris completely from engine compartment and muffler area, and from on top of the mower deck, before and after operating machine, especially after mowing or mulching in dry conditions. • Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required. • Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary. • Empty any grasscatcher bags or containers completely before storing. Safety - 8