Use and Care Manual

36 — English
 Stay alert — Watch what you are doing and use common
sense when operating the riding mower with front mount
dethatcher attachment. Do not operate the mower while
tired, upset, or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or
medication. A moment of inattention while operating the
mower may result in death or serious personal injury.
 Never carry children or allow children to sit on or operate
riding mower with front mount dethatcher attachment and
do not allow adults to operate without proper instructions.
Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 100 ft.
away. Stop the mower, set the parking brake, and turn
off the machine if anyone enters the area.
 Inspect the area to be dethatched carefully before using
the front mount dethatcher attachment. Avoid holes, pipes,
roots, curbs, drop offs, wires, cords, or other obstructions.
Obstructions can become caught on the dethatcher and
result in loss of control and possible rollover of the riding
mower.
 Check carefully for live electrical wires or cords that can
come in contact with and/or be damaged by the de-
thatcher tines and never use the front mount dethatcher
attachment in these areas or first have the wires or cords
safely removed. Contact with or damage of live electri-
cal wires or cords can result in death by electrocution or
other serious personal injury.
 Know the terrain to be dethatched. Never use on steep
slopes greater than 15 degrees. Caution should be taken
when using the front mount dethatcher attachment. This
attachment combined with the weight distribution, turning
radius, and speed of the riding mower can result in severe
injury or death to operator, damage to riding mower, and/
or attachment if not used properly.
 Always begin operating the mower slowly when using
the front mount dethatcher attachment and gradually
increase speed as required. Only operate at a safe speed
that allows you to maintain control of the riding mower
when using the front mount dethatcher attachment.
 When working in a large area, frequently check the tines
to avoid an excessive buildup of thatch that can affect
the stability of the riding mower.
 Never operate the riding mower with front mount de-
thatcher attachment at high speed.
 Do not start or stop suddenly when going uphill or down-
hill. Avoid uphill starts, slow down and use extra care on
hillsides. Use the front mount dethatcher attachment going
up and down slopes only, never across. Turf conditions
can affect vehicle stability and control.
 Use extreme caution and stay clear of drop offs. Do not
drive close to creeks, ditches and public highways. Watch
out for traffic when crossing near roadways.
 The front mount dethatcher attachment can reduce the
operator’s view to the front. Use extra care when operat-
ing.
 Always stop the riding mower, place the direction control
switch in neutral, and raise the front mount dethatcher
attachment height to the highest setting prior to traveling
or maneuvering the mower in situations when the de-
thatching operation is not being performed. Drive slowly
over rough ground and on slopes.
 Always wear substantial footwear. Do not wear loose
fitting clothing that can get caught in moving parts.
 Never shift the direction control switch to neutral and
coast downhill.
 Be careful when handling tines and keep feet and hands
clear of tine tips. Tine tips are sharp and can cause injury.
 Use highest transport setting when maneuvering riding
mower across concrete or asphalt driveways and walk-
ways with front mount dethatcher attachment installed.
 The dethatcher tines are sharp. Carefully store front
mount dethatcher attachment in an area out of the reach
of children to avoid accidental contact with tines.
 Never perform any work on the front mount dethatcher
attachment unless you are qualified to do so. Always
read the operator’s manual provided by the attachment
manufacturer before any repair is made. After completing
maintenance or repair, check for correct functioning of
the front mount dethatcher attachment. If not function-
ing properly, take front mount dethatcher attachment to
a qualified service center for repairs recommended by
the attachment manufacturer and do not operate until
all problems are corrected.
ADDITIONAL RIDING MOWER WARNINGS
AND SAFETY RULES WHEN FRONT MOUNT
DETHATCHER ATTACHMENT IS USED