1. Safety
Rules
&
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUI-FING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATINGHANDS AND FEET ANDTHROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
@
I. Training
Readthe instructions carefully. B efamiliar w iththeoontrols
and the properuse of the equipment.
•
Neverallowchildren or peopleunfamiliar w iththe instruc-
tionstousethe lawnmower. L ocalregulations mayrestrict
the age of the operator.
•
Nevermow whilepeople,especially children,or petsare
nearby.
•
Keep in mindthat the operatoror user is responsible for
accidents or hazardscccurring to otherpeople or their
property.
Do not carry passengers.
•
Alldriversshouldseek and obtainprofessional andprac-
ticalinstruction.Such instruction should emphasize:
- the need for care and concentration when working
with ride-onmachines;
- controlof a ride-onmachine sliding on a slopewill
not be regainedby the applicationofthe brake.
The main reasonsfor lossof controlare:
a) insufficient w heel grip;
b) being driventoo fast;
c) inadequatebraking;
d) the type of machineis unsuitable for itstask;
e) lack of awareness of the effect of ground
conditions,especially slopes;
f) incorrecthitching and load distribution.
II. Preparation
•
Whifemowing, alwayswearsubstantial f ootwearand long
trousers. Do not operatethe equipmentwhen barefoot
or wearing opensandals.
•
Thoroughlyinspectthe area where the equipmentis to
be used and removeall objectswhichmay be thrownby
the machine.
•
WARNING - Petrol is highlyflammable.
- Storefuel in containersspecifically designedfor this
purpose.
- Refuel outdoorsonlyand do not smokewhile refu-
eling.
- Add fuel beforestartingthe engine. Never remove
thecap of thefuel tank oradd petrolwhiletheengine
is runningor when the engine is hot.
- If petrolis spilled,do notattemptto startthe engine
but movethe machineaway from the areaof spillage
and avoidcreatinganysourceof ignitionuntilpetrol
vaporshavedissipated.
- Replaceall fuel tanks and containercapssecurely.
Replacefaulty 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 preservebalance.
On mufti-bladedmachines, take care asrotating one blade
can cause other blades to rotate.
3
III. Operation
•
Do not operate the engine in a confinedspace where
dangerouscarbon monoxidefumes can collect.
•
Mow onlyin daylightor in goodartificiallight.
•
Beforeattempting to start theengine,disengageallblade
attachment clutchesand shiftintoneutral.
•
Do not use on slopesof morethan 10°.
•
Rememberthereis nosuchthingas a "safe"slope.Travel
on grassslopesrequires particular care.Toguardagainst
overturning;
do notstopor startsuddenlywhengoingupor down-
hill;
engage clutchslowly,alwayskeep machinein gear,
especiallywhen travelingdownhill;
- machinespeeds shouldbe kept low on slopesand
duringtightturns;
- stay alert for humpsand hollowsand other hidden
hazards;
- never mowacrossthe face of the slope, unlessthe
lawnmower is designedfor this purpose.
•
Use care when pullingloadsor usingheavy equipment.
- Use onlyapproveddrawbarhitchpoints.
- Limitloadsto thoseyou can safelycontrol.
- Do not turnsharply. Usecare when reversing.
- Use oounterweight(s) o r wheel weightswhen sug-
gestedin the instruction handbook.
Watchout for trafficwhencrossingor near roadways.
•
Stop the blades from rotatingbefore crossingsurfaces
otherthan grass.
•
When usingany attachments,never directdischargeof
material towardbystandersnor allow anyone near the
machinewhilein operation.
Never operate the lawnmowerwith defective guards,
shieldsor withoutsafetyprotectivedevicesin place.
•
Do notchangetheenginegovernorsettings oroverspeed
theengine.Operatingtheengineat excessive speedmay
increasethe hazard of personalinjury.
•
Beforeleavingthe operator'sposition:
- disengagethe powertake-offand lowerthe attach-
ments;
- changeintoneutraland set the parkingbrake;
- stopthe engine and removethe key.
•
Disengage driveto attachments,stop the engine,and
disconnect t he sparkplug wire(s)or removethe ignition
key.
- beforecleaningblockages or unclogging chute;
- before checking, cleaningor working on the lawn-
mower;
- afterstriking a foreign object.Inspectthe lawnmower
for damage and make repairsbeforerestartingand
operatingthe equipment;
- if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally(check
immediately).
•
Disengagedrive to attachments when transporting or not
in use.
•
Stopthe engineand disengagedriveto attachment
beforerefueling;
beforeremovingthe grasscatcher;
beforemakingheightad ustmentunlessadjustment
can be madefrom the operator'sposition.
