1. Safety
Rules
Safe Operation
Practices
for Ride-On
Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS.
FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Oe
I. Training
Read the instructionscarefully. Be familiar with the controls
and the proper use of the equipment.
Never allow children or people unfamiliar with the instruc-
tions to use the lawn mower. Local regulations may restrict
the age of the operator.
Never mow while people, especially children, or pets are
nearby.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property.
Do not carry passengers.
•
All drivers should seek and obtain professional and prac-
tical instruction.
Such instruction should emphasize:
- the need for care and concentration
when working
with ride-on machines;
- control of a ride-on machine sliding on a slope will
not be regained by the application of the brake.
The main reasons for loss of control are:
a) insufficient wheel grip;
b) being driven too fast;
c) inadequate braking;
d) the type of machine is unsuitable for its task;
e) lack
of awareness
of the
effect
of ground
conditions,especially
slopes;
f) incorrect hitching and load distribution.
II.Preparation
Whilemowing, alwayswearsubstantial f ootwearand long
trousers. Do not operate the equipmentwhen barefoot
or wearingopen sandals.
Thoroughlyinspectthe area where the equipmentis to
be usedand removeall objectswhichmay be thrownby
the machine.
•
WARNING - Petrol is highly flammable.
- Storefuel in containersspecificallydesignedfor this
purpose.
- Refueloutdoorsonly and do not smoke while refu-
eling.
- Addfuel beforestartingthe engine. Never remove
the capofthe fue! tank or add petrolwhilethe engine
is runningor when the engine is hot.
- If petrolis spilled,do not attemptto start the engine
butmove the machineaway from thearea ofspillage
and avoidcreatingany sourceof ignitionuntilpetrol
vapors have dissipated.
- Replaceall fuel tanksand containercaps securely.
•
Replacefaulty silencers.
Before using, always visually inspectto see that the
blades,blade boltsand cutterassemblyare not wornor
damaged. Replace worn or damaged bladesand bolts
in sets to preservebalance.
•
On multi-bladed machines, t akecareas rotating oneblade
can cause other bladesto rotate.
II1. Operation
•
Do not operate the engine in a confinedspace where
dangerouscarbonmonoxide fumes can collect.
•
Mow onlyin daylightor in goodartificiallight.
•
Beforeattemptingto startthe engine,disengageallblade
attachmentclutchesand shift intoneutral.
Do notuse on slopesof more than 5°.
•
Rememberthereis nosuchthingasa =safe"slope.Travel
on grassslopesrequires particularcare, T oguardagainst
overturning;
do notstopor startsuddenly when goingupor down-
hill;
engageclutch slowly,always keep machinein gear,
especiallywhen travelingdownhill;
- machinespeeds shouldbe kept low on slopesand
duringtightturns;
- stay alert for humpsand hollowsand other hidden
hazards;
- nevermow acrossthe face of the slope, unlessthe
lawnmower is designedfor this purpose.
•
Use care when pullingloadsor using heavyequipment.
- Use onlyapproveddrawbarhitchpoints.
- Limitloadsto thoseyou can safelycontrol.
- Do notturn sharply.Use care when reversing.
- Use counterweight(s) o r wheel weights when sug-
gestedin the instruction handbook.
Watchout for trafficwhen crossingor near roadways.
•
Stop the bladesfrom rotatingbefore crossingsurfaces
otherthan grass.
When usingany attachments,neverdirectdischargeof
materialtowardbystandersnor allow anyone near the
machinewhile in operation.
•
Never operate the lawnmowerwith defective guards,
shieldsor withoutsafetyprotective devicesin place.
•
Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed
theengine.Operatingtheengineatexcessivespeedmay
increasethe hazard of personalinjury.
•
Before leavingthe operator'sposition:
- disengagethe powertake-oftand lowerthe attach-
ments;
- changeintoneutraland set the parkingbrake;
- stopthe engine and removethe key.
•
Disengagedrive to attachments,stop the engine, and
disconnect t he spark plugwire(s)or removethe ignition
key
- before cleaningblockages or unclogging chute;
- beforechecking,cleaning or workingon the lawn-
mower;
- afterstrikinga foreignobject.Inspectthe lawnmower
for damage and make repairsbefore restartingand
operatingthe equipment;
- if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally(check
immediately).
Disengagedriveto attachments whentransporting or not
in use.
•
Stop the engineand disengagedriveto attachment
- beforerefueling;
- beforeremovingthe grasscatcher;
- beforemakingheightadjustmentunlessadjustment
can be made from the operator's position.
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