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.
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 neu-
tral and coast downhill.
o Avoid starting,
stopping,
or turning
on a
slope.
If the tires lose traction,
disen-
gage 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
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 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.
o 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 attach
towed equipment
except
at the hitch
point°
° Follow the manufacturer's
recommenda-
tion for weight
limits for towed equip-
ment and towing on slopes°
o 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_ Atlow 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 filtingo