1. Safety Rules
& Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINEISCAPABLEOFAMPUTATINGHANDSAND FEETANDTHROWINGOBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWINGSAFETY INSTRUCTIONSCOULDRESULTIN SERIOUS INJURYOR DEATH.
I. Training III. Operation
• Readtheinstructionscarefolly.Befamiliarwtththecontmls
and the properusaoftheequipment.
NeverallowchildrenorpeopleunfamiliarwiththeinstnJc-
tionstousethelawnmower.Localregulationsmaymstdct
theage of theoperator.
• Nevermowwhilepeople,especiallychildren,orpetsare
nearby.
• Keep in mindthattheoperatororuserisresponsiblefor
accidentsor hazardsoccurringto otherpeopleor their
property.
• Do notcarry passengers.
• Alldriversshouldseekandobtainprofessionalandprac-
tical instruction.Suchinstructionshouldemphasize:
- the need for care and concentrationwhenworking
with ride-onmachines;
- controlof a dde-onmachinesliding on a slopewill
not he regainedbytheapplicationofthebrake.
The mainreasonsfor lossofcontrolare:
a) insufficientwheelgrip;
b) being driventoofast;
c) inadequatebraking;
d) thetype ofmachineisunsuitablefor itstask;
e) lack of awareness of the effect of ground
conditions,especiallyslopes;
f) incorrecthitchingand loaddistdbution.
II.Preparation
• Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearandlong
trousers. Do notoperatetheequipmentwhen barefoot
or wearing opensandals.
• Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto
be used and removeall objectswhichmayhe thrownby
the machine.
WARNING - Petrol is highlyflammable.
Store fuel in containers specifically designed for this
purpose.
Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke while refu-
eling.
- Add fuel before starting the engine. Never remove
the cap ofthe fuel tank or add petrol while the engine
is running or when the engine ishot.
- If petrol isspilled, do notattempt to start the engine
but move the machine away from the area ofspillage
and avoid creating any source of ignitionuntil petrol
vapors have dissipated.
Replace all fuel tanks and container caps securely.
Replace faulty silencers.
Before using, always visually inspect to see that the
blades, blade bolts and cutter assembly are not worn or
damaged. Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts
in sets to presarve balance.
On multi-bladed machines, take care as rotatingone blade
can cause other bledes to rotate.
Do not operatethe enginein a confinedspace where
dangerouscarbonmonoxidefumescan collect.
Mowonlyin daylightor ingoodartificiallight.
Beforeattemptingtostarttheengine,disengageallblade
attachmentclutchesandshiftintoneutral.
Do net usaonsfopesofmorothan 10o.
Rememberthereisnosuchthin_]asa "safe"slope.Travel
ongrasss=opesrsqu=resparticu=arcare. Toguardagainst
overturning;
- donotstoporstartsuddenlywhengoingupordown.
hill;
- engageclutchslowly,alwayskeepmachnen gear,
especiallywhentravelingdownhill;
- machinespeedsshouldbe keptlowon slopesand
duringtightturns;
- stayalert for humpsand hollowsand other hidden
hazards;
- nevermowacrossthe face oftheslope, unlessthe
lawnmowerisdesignedfor thispurpose.
Usecarewhenpullingloadsor usingheavyequipment.
- Useonlyapproveddrawbarhitchpoints.
- Limitloadstothoseyoucansafelycontrol.
- Donotturnsharply.Usecarewhen reversing.
- Use counterweight(s)or wheel weightswhen sug-
gestedin theinstructionhandbook.
Watchoutfor trafficwhencrossingor near roadways.
Stop thebladesfrom rotatingbeforecrossingsurfaces
otherthangrass.
Whenusinganyattachments,neverdirectdischargeof
material towardbystandersnorallowanyonenear the
machinewhileinoperation.
Never operatethe lawnmowerwith defective guards,
shieldsorwithoutsafatyprotectivedevicesin place.
Donotchan_etheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed
theengine,uperatingtheengineatexcessivespeedmay
increasethenazardofpersonal injury.
Beforeleavingtheoperator'sposition:
- disengagethepowertake-offand lowerthe attach-
ments;
changeintoneutraland sat the parkingbrake;
stoptheengineand removethe key.
Disengagedriveto attachments,stopthe engine and
disconnectthesparkpug w re(s)or removethe ignition
key
beforecleaningblockagesor uncloggingchute;
beforechecking,cleaningorworkingon the lawn-
mower;
- afterstrikingaforeignobject.Inspectthelawnmower
fordamageand makerepairsbeforerestartingand
operatingtheequipment;
- if the machinestartsto vibrateabnormally(check
immediately).
Disengagedrivetoattachmentswhentransportingornot
In use.
Stop the engine and disengage drive to attachment
- before refueling;
- before removing the grass catcher;
- before making height adjusts_nt unlesa._01justment
can be made from the oh_t_r's position.
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