I1. SLOPE
OPERATION
Slopes
are a major factor
related
to loss of
control
and tip-over
accidents,
which can
result in severe
injury or death.
Opera-
tion 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
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.
If the tires lose traction,
dis-
engage
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
ma-
chine
with grass catchers
or other at-
tachments;
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
suddenly
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 respon-
sible 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
machine.
•
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 at-
tach towed equipment
except
at the
hitch point.
•
Follow the manufacturer's
recom-
mendation
for weight
limits for towed
equipment
and towing
on slopes.
•
Never allow children
or others
in or on
towed equipment.
•
On slopes,
the weight
of the towed
equipment
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
damage,
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 con-
tainer
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.