Use and Care Manual

Safety - 9
SAFETY
• Keep children indoors, out of the mowing area, and in the watchful eye of
a responsible adult, other than the operator, when a mower is being
operated.
• Stay alert to the presence of children. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them. Turn the machine off if a child enters the
work area.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or
other objects that may block your view of a child.
Operating on Slopes
NOTE: Make a photocopy of this page and cut out angle chart (A) to
use for measuring slope angle.
• Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tipover accidents,
which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires
extra caution.
Identify Slopes for Safe Operation
• Follow safe procedures for operation on slopes. Measure slopes of all
moving sites to determine which slopes are safe for mowing with a ride-on
mower. Always use common sense and good judgement when performing
this survey.
Measuring Slopes
• Suggested Method 1: Lay a straight piece of sturdy lumber 1.2 m (4 ft)
long on the slope and measure the angle of the slope with an angle
indicator or protractor level.
• Suggested Method 2: Refer to the slope gauge provided with this
manual.
Operate Safely on Slopes
• Exceeding the recommended maximum slope angle increases the risk of
rollover accidents that can result in serious injury or death.
• Never mow or operate ride-on mower on slope angles greater than 13°
with the lawn ride-on mower in its basic configuration. The basic
configuration is the ride-on mower with mower deck and not other
attachments. (A 13° slope is a slope that rises 1.4 m (4.6 ft) over a
horizontal distance of 6.1 m (20 ft).)
• When using attachments, never mow or operate the ride-on mower on
slope angles greater than 10°. The addition of a weather enclosure,
material collection system, or other attachments will increase the risk of a
rollover. (A 10° slope is a slope that rises 1 m (3.5 ft) over a horizontal
distance of 6.1 m (20 ft).)
• On slope angles of 10° or less, the risk of rollover is low, but as the slope
angle increases to the recommended maximum, the risk increases to a
medium level.
• Always consider potential turf conditions and slope angles when
determining the risk of loss-of-control and tip-over accidents.
• Drive slowly when mowing or operating on slopes.
• If you feel uneasy on a hillside, do not mow or operate on it.
• Mow across slopes, not up and down.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven
terrain could overturn the ride-on mower. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Drive slowly so you will not have to stop while on a slope.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction. Tires may slip on
slopes even though the brakes are functioning properly.
• Avoid starting, stopping or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction,
disengage the PTO and proceed slowly, straight down the slope.
• Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden
changes in speed or direction, which could cause the ride-on mower to roll
over.
MX51667
A