SAFETY 7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator’s seat. • Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child. 8. Disconnect the negative battery cable or remove the spark plug wire (for gasoline engines) before servicing the machine. Avoid Tipping Rotating Blades are Dangerous • Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS: • Mow across slopes, not up and down. • Rotating blades can cut off arms and legs, and throw objects.
Failure to observe safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. • Never mow on any slope that is more than 10 degrees, or a slope that rises more than 3-1/2 feet within a distance of 20 feet of distance. • Make a safe choice when operating on slopes. If you feel uncomfortable on a hillside, or if you feel the front of the machine start to creep down the slope, stop mowing immediately and proceed slowly and safely down the slope. • Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine is running. • Be alert at all times, drive forward and in reverse carefully. People, especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.
• If steering direction cannot be maintained with slight steering corrections, the slope is too steep to mow. • Before backing up, stop mower blades or attachments and look down and behind the machine carefully, especially for children. • Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Choose a low ground speed so you will not have to stop or shift while on a slope. • Do not mow in reverse. • Shut off blades when you are not mowing. • Do not mow or operate machine on wet grass. Tires may lose traction. Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly.
• Park machine safely before leaving the operator’s station for any reason including emptying the grasscatchers or unplugging the chute. • The mower blades should stop in approximately five seconds when the mower is disengaged. If you believe that your blades may not be stopping in that period of time, take your machine to your authorized dealer where they can safely check and service your machine. • Avoid starting, stopping or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly, straight down the slope. • Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction, which could cause the machine to roll over.
Protect Children • Use extra care while operating machine with grasscatchers or other attachments, they can affect stability of the machine. Do not use on steep slopes. • Death or serious injury can occur when young children associate having fun with a lawn mowing machine simply because someone has given them a ride on a machine. • Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, embankments, or bodies of water. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel goes over the edge or the edge caves in. • Children are attracted to lawn mowing machines and mowing activities. They don’t understand the dangers of rotating blades or the fact that the operator is unaware of their presence.
• Leave at least the width of the machine as a safety area between the machine and any safety hazard. Mow those areas with a hand-held trimmer or walk-behind mower. • Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine. • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights for added stability when operating on slopes or using front or rear mounted attachments. Remove weights when not required. • Tragic accidents with children can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children, especially when a child approaches a machine from behind.
Before and while backing up, stop mower blades and look down and behind the machine carefully, especially for children. • Drive machine slowly and avoid quick stops if attachment has been removed for servicing mower or machine. Keep Riders Off • Never carry children on a machine or attachment, even with the blades off. Do not tow children in a cart or trailer. They can fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation. • Only allow the operator on the machine. Keep riders off. • Riders on the machine or attachment may be struck by foreign objects or thrown off the machine causing serious injury.
• Never use the machine as a recreational vehicle or to entertain children. • Never allow children or an untrained person operate the machine. Instruct all operators not to give children a ride on the machine or in an attachment. • Riders obstruct the operator’s view resulting in the machine being operated in an unsafe manner. • Keep children indoors, out of the mowing area, and in the watchful eye of a responsible adult, other than the operator, when a mower is being operated. Wear Appropriate Clothing • Always wear eye protection when operating the machine. • Stay alert to the presence of children. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
Turn the machine off if a child enters the work area. • Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job. Safety - 5