!1.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 if you feel uneasy
on it, do not mow it.
•
Mow up and down slopes,
not across.
•
Watch
for holes, ruts, bumps,
rocks, or
other
hidden
objects.
Uneven
terrain
could overturn
the machine.
Tall grass
can hide obstacles.
•
Choose alow
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
o
Avoid starting,
stopping,
or turning
on a
slope. If the tires lose traction,
disengage
the blades
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 attach ments;
they can affect the stability
of the ma-
chine.
Do no use on steep slopes.
°
Do not try to stabilize
the machine
by
putting your foot on the ground.
.
Do not mow near dfop-offs,
ditches,
or
embankments.
The machine
could sud-
denly roll over if a wheel is over the edge
or if the edge caves in.
I!1. 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
blades
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 child.
IV, TOWING
•
Tow only with a machine
that has a hitch
designed
for towing. Do not attach towed
equipment
except
at the hitch point.
o
Followthemanufacturer'srecommenda-
tion for weight limits for towed equipment
and towing
on slopes.
,
Never allow
children
or others
in or on
towed equipment.
•
Onslopes,
theweight
ofthetowed
equip-
ment may cause loss of traction
and loss
of control.
,
Travel slowly and allow extra distance
to
stop.
V. SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING
OF GASOLINE
To avoid
personal
injury
or property
damp
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 fuelcontainer
where there
is an open flame,
spark, or
pilot light such as on a water heater
or
other appliances,
•
Never fill containers
inside a vehicle
or
on a truck or trailer bed with plastic liner.
Always
place containers
on the ground
away from your vehicle
when filling.
4