Use and Care Manual

Safety - 7
SAFETY
Avoid Injury From Rotating Blades - M118041
M118041
• Do not put hands or feet under or into mower when engine is running.
• Do not operate mower without discharge chute or entire grass catcher in
place.
Emission Control System Certification Label
NOTE: Tampering with emission controls and components by
unauthorized personnel may result in severe fines or penalties.
Emission controls and components can only be adjusted by EPA
and/or CARB authorized service centers. Contact your John Deere
Retailer concerning emission controls and component questions.
The presence of an emissions label signifies that the engine has been
certified with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The emissions warranty applies only to those engines marketed by John
Deere that have been certified by the EPA and/or CARB; and used in the
United States and Canada in off-road mobile equipment.
Emission Compliance Period
If your engine has the emission compliance category listed on the
emission control system certification or air index label, this indicates the
number of operating hours for which the engine has been certified to meet
EPA and/or CARB emission requirements. The following table provides
the engine compliance period in hours associated with the category found
on the certification label.
Safety
Operating Safely
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.
• Read, understand and follow all instructions on the
machine and in manuals provided, and view safety video, before starting.
Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the machine
before starting.
• The residential zero radius lawn mower drives differently than a
traditional riding mower. Learning to operate the controls smoothly and
safely will take some time.
• Practice operating the residential zero radius lawn mower in a large open
area with the blades off. Keep practicing until you feel confident in your
maneuvering and driving skills.
• Only allow responsible adults, who have practiced driving the residential
zero radius lawn mower and are familiar with the instructions to operate
the machine. Local restrictions may restrict the age of the operator.
• Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep
clear of the discharge opening at all times.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, wire and toys which could be
thrown by the blades.
• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operating. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down
and behind before and while backing.
• Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging
material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward
the operator. Stop the blades when crossing gravel surfaces.
• Do not operate the machine without the entire grasscatcher, discharge
guard, or other safety devices in place and working. Never operate with
the discharge deflector raised, removed, or altered, unless using a
grasscatcher.
• Slow down before turning.
• Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blades, lock
park brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.
• Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut off engine and wait for all
parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning the machine, removing
the grasscatcher, or unclogging the discharge chute.
• Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Watch for traffic 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
Agency Category Hours
EPA C 250
EPA B 500
EPA A 1000
CARB Moderate 125
CARB Intermediate 250
CARB Extended 500