Use and Care Manual

• Operate machine only in daylight or good articial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the inuence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Watch for trafc when operating near or crossing roadways. Stop
blades before crossing roads or sidewalks.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer
or truck.
• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when
operating machine.
• Data indicates operators 60 years and above are involved in a large
percentage of riding mower-related injuries. These operators should
evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and others from serious injury.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for wheel weights or
counterweights.
• Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight.
Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure
guards and shields are in good condition and fastened in place.
Make any necessary adjustments before you operate.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the blades, blade
bolts and the mower assembly are not worn and damaged. Replace
worn and damaged blades and bolts in sets to preserve balance.
• Make sure spark plug, mufer, fuel cap and air cleaner are in place
before starting the engine.
• Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is locked before
starting engine. Only start engine from the operator’s position.
• Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the
engine. Operating the engine at excessive speed can increase the
hazard of personal injury.
• If you hit an object or if abnormal vibration occurs, stop the machine
and inspect it. Make repairs before you operate.
• Use only accessories and attachments approved by the
manufacturer of the machine. Keep safety labels visible when
installing accessories and attachments.
• Do not wear radio or music headphones. Safe service and operation
requires your full attention.
• When machine is left unattended, stored, or parked, lower the
mower deck unless a positive mechanical lock is used.
Using a Spark Arrestor
The California Public Resources Code, section 4442.5 provides as
follows:
No person shall sell, offer for sale, lease, or rent to any person any
internal combustion engine subject to Section 4442 or 4443, and not
subject to Section 13005 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the
person provides a written notice to the purchaser or bailee, at the time
of sale or at the time of entering into the lease or rental contract, stating
that it is a violation of Section 4442 or 4443 to use or operate the engine
on any forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless
the engine is equipped with a spark arrestor, as dened in Section
4442, maintained in effective working order or the engine is
constructed, equipped, and maintained for the prevention of re
pursuant to Section 4443. Cal. Pub. Res. Code 4442.5.
Other states or jurisdictions may have similar laws. A spark arrestor for
your machine may be available from your authorized dealer. An
installed spark arrestor must be maintained in good working order by
the operator.
Checking Mowing Area
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• Clear mowing area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and
pets out of mowing area.
• Low-hanging branches and similar obstacles can injure the operator
or interfere with mowing operation. Before mowing, identify potential
obstacles such as low-hanging branches, and trim or remove those
obstacles.
• Study mowing area. Set up a safe mowing pattern. Do not mow
where traction or stability is doubtful.
• Test drive area with mower lowered (if equipped) but not running.
Slow down when you travel over rough ground.
• Survey all mowing sites to determine which slopes are safe for
machine operation and which slopes should be maintained through
other maintenance techniques.
Parking Safely
1. Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.
2. Disengage mower blades or any other attachments.
3. Lower attachments to the ground.
4. Lock the park brake.
5. Stop the engine.
6. Remove the key.
7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the
operator’s seat.
8. Close fuel shut-off valve, if your machine is equipped.
9. Disconnect the negative battery cable or remove the spark plug
wire(s) (for gasoline engines) before servicing the machine.
Rotating Blades are Dangerous
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HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:
• Rotating blades can cut off arms and legs, and throw objects. Failure
to observe safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
• Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine
is running.
• Be alert at all times, drive forward and in reverse carefully. People,
especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before
you know it.
• Before backing up, stop mower blades or attachments and look
down and behind the machine carefully, especially for children.
• Do not mow in reverse.
• Shut off blades when you are not mowing.
Safety
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