II. 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
can not 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.
Uneventerrain
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.
• Avoid
starting,
stopping,
or turning
on a
slope.
Ifthetires
Iosetraction,
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 attachments;
they can affectthe 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.
IlL 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 areaforanother
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.
• Follow the manufacturer's
recommenda-
tion for weight limits for towed equipment
and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on
towed equipment.
• On slopes, the weight ofthe towed 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
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.
• 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.
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