H. 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 upthe 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.
Ifthetires
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 attachments;
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 sud-
denly roll over if a wheel is over the edge
or if the edge caves in.
!il. 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 poinL
• 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 of the 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.
° Remove gas-powered
equipment
from the
truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground.
If this is not possible,
then refuel
such
equipment
with a portable container, rather
than from a gasoline
dispenser
nozzle.