B. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes
are a major factor related
to loss of
control
and tip-over
accidents,
which
can
result in severe
injury or death,
Operation
on all slopes
requires
extra caution,
If you
cannot back up the slope or ifyou feel uneasy
on it. do not mow it.
• Mow up and down slopes
(15 ° Max), not
across.
• Watch
for holes,
ruts, bumps,
rocks,
or
other hidden objects, Uneven terrain could
overturn
the machine.
Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Choose
a low ground
speed so that you
will not have to stop or shift while on the
slope,
• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose
traction.
• Always
keep the machine
in gear when
going down slopes.
Do not shift to neutral
and coast downhill.
• if machine
stops
while
going
uphill,
disengage
blade,
shift into reverse
and
back down slowly,
• Avoid
starting,
stopping,
or turning
on a
slope. If the tires lose traction,
disengage
the blade and proceed slowly straight down
the slope.
• Keep all movement
on the slopes slow and
gradual,
Do not make sudden
changes
in speed
or direction,
which
could cause
the machine to roll over,
• Use extra care while operating
machine
with grass catchers
or other attachments;
they can affect the stability of the machine,
• Do no use on steep slopes,
• Do not
try to stabilize
the machine
by
putting your foot on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop-offs,
ditches,
or
embankments.
The machine
could sud-
denly roll over if a wheel
is over the edge
or if the edge caves in,
iii, 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
in the watchful
care of a responsible
adult
other than the operator.
• Be alert
and turn machine
off if a child
enters the area.
• Before and while backing,
look behind and
down for small children,
• Never carry children,
even with the blade
shut 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 machine.
• Never allow children
to operate
the ma-
chine,
• Use extra care when
approaching
blind
corners,
shrubs,
trees,
or other
objects
that may block your view of a chil&
iV, SERVICE
SAFE
HANDLING
OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal
injury
or property
dam-
age, use extreme
care in handling
gasoline,
Gasoline
is extremely
flammable
and the
vapors
are explosive.
° Extinguish
all cigarettes,
cigars,
pipes,
and other sources
of ignition.
• Use only approved
gasoline
container.
• Never
remove
gas cap or add fuel with
the engine
running,
Allow engine to cool
before
refueling,
° Never fuel the machine
indoors,
° Never store the machine or fuel container
where
there is an open flame,
spark,
or
pilot light such as on a water
heater
or
other appliances.
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