Operator's Manual

4
• Turn off blades when not mowing. Stop the engine and
what for all parts to come to a complete stop before
cleaning the machine, removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the discharge chute.
• Operate the machine only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
• Always wear eye protection when operating the mower.
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of riding
mower–related injuries. These operators should
evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely
enough to protect themselves and others from serious
injury
.
• Always follow the recommendations for wheel weights
or counterweights.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents,
which can result in severe injury. Operation on all slopes
requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not
mow it.
• Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips, and rises that
change the operating angle, as rough terrain could
overturn the machine.
• Choose a low ground speed so you will not have to stop
while operating on a slope.
• Do not mow slopes when grass is wet. Slippery
conditions reduce traction and could cause sliding and
loss of control.
• Always keep the machine in gear when going down
slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Reduce speed and use extreme caution on slopes.
• Do not make sudden turns or rapid speed changes.
• Use a walk behind mower and/or a hand trimmer near
drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or water.
• Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs,
etc. from the mowing area. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Avoid sudden starts when mowing uphill because the
mower may tip backwards.
• Be aware that loss of traction may occur going
downhill. Weight transfer to the front wheels may cause
drive wheels to slip and cause loss of braking and
steering.
• Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If
tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly off the slope.
• Use extreme care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine and cause loss of control.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop–offs, ditches, steep banks or
water. Wheels dropping over edges can cause rollovers,
which may result in serious injury, death or drowning.
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult, not the
operator.
• Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter the
area.
• Before and while backing or changing direction, look
behind, down, and side–to–side for small children.
• Never carry children, even with the blades off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation.
• 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 mower.
• Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, the end of a fence or other objects that may
obscure vision.
Towing
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
• This product has a limited towing capacity for small
attachments up to 100 lbs; such as leaf sweepers and
spreaders. Towing of attachments should be limited to
flat ground.