Cub Cadet 18M Operator's Manual page 5

Do Not:
1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could
lose your footing or balance.
2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge.
3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
Children
T
ragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence
of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing
activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care
of a responsible adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for
small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a
child who may run into the mower.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer
burns from a hot muffler.
6. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower.
Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the
operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and shou
be trained and supervised by a parent.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin
and change clothes immediately.
2. Use only an approved gasoline container.
3. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with
a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from
your vehicle before filling.
4. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel
it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.
5. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container
opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle
lock-open device.
6 Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
7. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will
accumulate in the area.
8. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
9. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below
bottom of filler neck to provide for fuel expansion.
10. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
11. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move
unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.
12. Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame,
spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace,
clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
13. To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other
debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel
soaked debris.
14. Allow a mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
General Service:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the
blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark
plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended
starting.
3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals
for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage
(e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original
equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this
manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original equip-
ment specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!"
4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is
in safe working condition.
6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly.
7. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the
spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly
inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before
starting and operating the mower.
8. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while
the engine is running.
9. Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield
ld
are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection,
frequently check components and replace immediately with
original equipment manufacturer's (O.E.M.) parts only, listed
in this manual. "Use of parts which do not meet the original
equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!"
10. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the
engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating
speed of the engine.
11. Check fuel line, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or
leaks. Replace if necessary.
12. Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.
13. Maintain or replace safety labels, as necessary.
14. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal
of fluids and materials can harm the environment.
Spark Arrestor
Warning: This machine is equipped with an
internal combustion engine and should not be
used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the
engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark
arrester meeting applicable local or provincial laws
(if any).
If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective
working order by the operator.
A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest
engine authorized service dealer.
Do not modify engine
To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way.
Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine
and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper with factory
setting of engine governor.
Average Useful Life
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC)
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this product
Average Useful Life
has an
operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life
machine or have the machine inspected annually by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety systems are
working properly and not worn excessively. Failure to do so can result
in accidents, injuries or death.

of seven (7) years, or 60 hours of
, buy a new

Safe
Operation
Practices
WARNING
This symbol points out
important safety instructions
which, if not followed, could
endanger the personal
safety and/or property of
yourself and others. Read
and follow all instructions in
this manual before attempt-
ing to operate this machine.
Failure to comply with these
instructions may result in
personal injury. When you
see this symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
Notice regarding
Emissions
Engines which are
certified to comply with
California and federal EPA
emission regulations for
SORE (Small Off Road
Equipment) are certified
to operate on regular
unleaded gasoline, and
may include the following
emission control systems:
Engine Modification (EM)
and Three Way Catalyst
(TWC) if so equipped.