1. Safety Rules
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
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I. Training
Read theinstructionscarefully. Be familiar withthe controls
and the proper use of the equipment.
Never allow children or people unfamiliar with the instruc-
tionstouse the lawnmower. Local regulations may restrict
the age of the operator.
Never mow while people, especially children, or pets are
nearby.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property.
Do not carry passengers.
• All drivers should seek and obtain professional and prac-
tical instruction. Such instruction should emphasize:
- the need for care and concentration when working
with ride-on machines;
- control of a ride-on machine sliding on a slope will
not be regained by the application of the brake.
The main reasons for loss of control are:
a) insufficient wheel grip;
b) being driven too fast;
c) inadequate braking;
d) the type of machine is unsuitable for its task;
e) lack of awareness of the effect of ground
conditions,especially slopes;
f) incorrect hitching and load distribution.
II.Preparation
Whilemowing,alwayswearsubstantialfootwearand long
trousers. Do notoperatetheequipmentwhen barefoot
or wearingopensandals.
Thoroughlyinspectthearea wherethe equipmentisto
be usedand removeallobjectswhichmaybethrownby
themachine.
• WARNING - Petrol ishighly flammable.
- Storefuel incontainersspecificallydesignedforthis
purpose.
- Refueloutdoorsonlyand do notsmokewhilerefu-
eling.
- Addfuel beforestartingthe engine. Never remove
thecapofthefue!tankoraddpetrolwhiletheengine
isrunningor whentheengineishot.
- Ifpetrolisspilled,do notattempttostarttheengine
butmovethemachineaway from theareaofspillage
andavoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilpetrol
vapors have dissipated.
- Replaceallfuel tanksand containercapssecurely.
• Replacefaulty silencers.
Before using,always visually inspectto see that the
blades,bladeboltsand cutterassemblyarenotwornor
damaged. Replacewornor damagedbladesand bolts
insetsto preservebalance.
• On multi-bladedmachines,takecareasrotatingoneblade
cancauseother bladesto rotate.
II1.Operation
• Do not operatethe engine in a confinedspacewhere
dangerouscarbonmonoxide fumes cancollect.
• Mowonlyindaylightor ingoodartificiallight.
• Beforeattemptingtostarttheengine,disengageallblade
attachmentclutchesand shift intoneutral.
Do notuseon slopesofmorethan5°.
• Rememberthereisnosuchthingasa =safe"slope.Travel
ongrassslopesrequiresparticularcare,Toguardagainst
overturning;
do notstoporstartsuddenlywhengoingupordown-
hill;
engageclutchslowly,always keepmachineingear,
especiallywhentravelingdownhill;
- machinespeedsshouldbe keptlowon slopesand
duringtightturns;
- stayalertfor humpsand hollowsand otherhidden
hazards;
- nevermowacrosstheface ofthe slope,unlessthe
lawnmowerisdesignedfor thispurpose.
• Usecarewhenpullingloadsorusing heavyequipment.
- Useonlyapproveddrawbarhitchpoints.
- Limitloadstothoseyoucansafelycontrol.
- Do notturnsharply.Usecarewhen reversing.
- Use counterweight(s)or wheel weightswhensug-
gestedinthe instructionhandbook.
Watchout fortrafficwhencrossingor near roadways.
• Stop the bladesfrom rotatingbeforecrossingsurfaces
otherthangrass.
When usingany attachments,neverdirectdischargeof
materialtowardbystandersnorallowanyonenear the
machinewhileinoperation.
• Never operate the lawnmowerwith defectiveguards,
shieldsor withoutsafetyprotectivedevicesinplace.
• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsoroverspeed
theengine.Operatingtheengineatexcessivespeedmay
increasethe hazardofpersonalinjury.
• Before leavingtheoperator'sposition:
- disengagethe powertake-oftand lowertheattach-
ments;
- changeintoneutralandsetthe parkingbrake;
- stoptheengineand removethekey.
• Disengagedriveto attachments,stopthe engine,and
disconnectthesparkplugwire(s)or removetheignition
key
- before cleaningblockagesor uncloggingchute;
- beforechecking,cleaningor workingon the lawn-
mower;
- afterstrikingaforeignobject.Inspectthelawnmower
for damageandmake repairsbeforerestartingand
operatingtheequipment;
- if the machinestartsto vibrateabnormally(check
immediately).
Disengagedrivetoattachmentswhentransportingornot
inuse.
• Stop theengineand disengagedriveto attachment
- beforerefueling;
- beforeremovingthegrasscatcher;
- beforemakingheightadjustmentunlessadjustment
canbemadefrom the operator'sposition.
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