26. Your riding mower is designed to cut normal residential grass
of a height no more than 10" (25 cm). Do not attempt to mow
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of dry
leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine exhaust
and/or build-up on the mower deck presenting a potential
fire hazard.
27. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this riding
mower by the machine manufacturer. Read, understand and
follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory
or attachment.
28. Data indicates that operators, age 65 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.
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use
care and good judgment. Contact your customer service
representative for assistance.
Slope Operation
1. Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-
over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
2. For your safety, measure any slope before using the riding
mower on the sloped area. Use a slope measuring device in
addition to the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this riding mower on a
sloped or hilly area. Smart phone applications can also be
utilized to measure slopes. If the slope is greater than 12°
(21%) as shown on the slope gauge or a slope measuring
device, do not operate this riding mower on that area or
serious injury could result.
3. Do not mow on slopes greater than 12° (21%).
4. Do not mow across slopes, only mow up and down slopes that
are less than 12° (21%). Use low speeds and avoid sudden
turns.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause
sliding or a loss of control.
6. Do not operate riding mower under any conditions where
traction, steering, or stability is in question. Tires could slide
even if the wheels are stopped.
7. Avoid starting and stopping on slopes. Avoid making
sudden changes in speed or direction. Make turns slowly
and gradually.
8. Use extra care while operating riding mower with grass
catcher or other attachment(s). They can affect the stability
of the riding mower. Do not use grass catcher on slopes
greater than 5° (9%).
9. Do not try to stabilize the riding mower by putting your foot
on the ground.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
10. Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not make
sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid acceleration
could cause the front of the riding mower to lift and rapidly
roll over backwards, which could cause serious injury
or death.
Children
1. 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. They do not understand
the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
c. Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
d. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe
machine operation.
e. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block
your vision of a child who may run into the path of
the machine.
f. To avoid back-over accidents, always disengage the
cutting blade(s) before shifting into reverse, if equipped,
the Reverse Caution Mode should not be used when
children or others are around.
g. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can
suffer burns from a hot muffler.
h. Remove key when machine is unattended to prevent
unauthorized operation.
2. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and should be trained and supervised
by an adult.
Towing
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for weight limits
for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss
of traction and loss of control.
5. Always use extra caution when towing with a machine
capable of making tight turns (e.g. "zero-turn" ride-on
mower). Make wide turns to avoid jack-knifing.
6. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
7. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
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