– Do not stop or start suddenly when going up or
downhill.
– Engage the clutch slowly, always keep the machine in
gear, especially when travelling downhill.
– The machine speed should be kept low on slopes and
during tight turns.
– Stay alert for humps and hollows and other hidden
hazards.
– Never mow across the face of the slope, unless the
machine is designed for that purpose.
•
Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards.
•
Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
•
Stop the blades from rotating before crossing surfaces
other than grass.
•
When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the
machine while in operation.
•
Never operate the machine with damaged guards, shields,
or without safety protective devices in place. Be sure all
interlocks are attached, adjusted properly, and functioning
properly.
•
Do not change the engine governor settings or over speed
the engine. Operating the engine at excessive speed may
increase the hazard of personal injury.
•
Before leaving the operators position:
– Stop on level ground.
– Disengage the power take-off and lower the
attachments.
– Change into neutral and set the parking brake.
– Stop the engine and remove the key.
•
Disengage drive to attachments, stop the engine, and
disconnect the spark plug wire(s) or remove the ignition
key:
– before clearing blockages;
– before checking, cleaning, or working on the machine;
– after striking a foreign object. Inspect the machine
for damage and make repairs before restarting and
operating the equipment. Torque all the spindle pulley
nuts to 130 to 150 ft-lb (176 to 203 N⋅m);
– if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (check
immediately).
•
Disengage drive to attachments when transporting or not
in use.
•
Stop the engine and disengage drive to attachment:
– before refuelling;
– before making height adjustment unless adjustment
can be made from the operator's position.
•
Reduce the throttle setting before stopping engine and
close the fuel shut-off valve at the conclusion of mowing.
•
Never raise deck with the blades running.
•
Keep hands and feet away from the cutting units.
•
Look behind and down before backing up to be sure of
a clear path.
•
Slow down and use caution when making turns and
crossing roads and sidewalks.
•
Slow down and use caution when making turns and
crossing roads and sidewalks.
•
Do not operate the mower under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.
•
Lightning can cause severe injury or death. If lightning
is seen or thunder is heard in the area, do not operate
the machine; seek shelter.
•
Use care when loading or unloading the machine into a
trailer or truck.
•
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure vision.
•
The operator shall turn on flashing warning lights, if
provided, whenever traveling on a public road, except
where such use is prohibited by law.
Maintenance and Storage
•
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
•
Never store the equipment with fuel in the tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
•
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure
and do not store near flame.
•
To reduce the fire hazard, keep the engine,
silencer/muffler, battery compartment, cutting units,
drives, and fuel storage area free of grass, leaves, or
excessive grease. Clean up oil or fuel spillage.
•
Replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
•
If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.
•
On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotating one blade
can cause other blades to rotate.
•
When machine is to be parked, stored, or left unattended,
lower the cutting units unless a positive mechanical lock
is provided.
•
Disengage drives, lower the cutting units, move traction
pedal to Neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and
remove key. Wait for all movement to stop before
adjusting, cleaning or repairing.
•
Shut off fuel while storing or transporting. Do not store
fuel near flames.
•
Park machine on level ground. Never allow untrained
personnel to service machine.
•
Use jack stands to support components when required.
•
Carefully release pressure from components with stored
energy.
•
Disconnect battery before making any repairs. Disconnect
the negative terminal first and the positive last. Reconnect
positive first and negative last.
5