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 u p 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.
Ifthetireslosetraction,
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 ma-
chine.
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.
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.
4
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 point.
Followthe
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,
theweight
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 equipmentwith
a portable
container,
rather
than
from
a gasoline
dispenser
nozzle.