SAFETY • 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. • Never operate machine in a closed area where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect. • 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. • 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. • Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. • 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. • 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 • 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. • Remove grass and debris from engine compartment and muffler area, before and after operating machine, especially after mowing or mulching in dry conditions. • Empty the grasscatcher completely before storing. • 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.
• Always shut off fuel when storing or transporting machine, if the machine has a fuel shutoff. • Do not store machine near an open flame or source of ignition, such as a water heater or furnace. • Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required. • Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary. • On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade can cause other blades to rotate. • Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary. Handling Fuel Safely • Keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from any moving parts, to prevent them from getting caught.
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling fuel. Fuel is extremely flammable and fuel vapors are explosive: • 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. • Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. • Securely support any machine elements that must be raised for service work. Use jack stands or lock service latches to support components when needed. • 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. • Use only an approved fuel container. Use only non-metal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (U.L.) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter. • Before servicing machine or attachment, carefully release pressure from any components with stored energy, such as hydraulic components or springs. • Never remove the fuel tank cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. Safety - 6