Manual

13.Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.
14.Do not operatethe machinewhileunderthe
influenceof alcoholordrugs.
15.Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossing
roadways.
16.Useextracarewhenloadingor unloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.Thisunitshouldnot
bedrivenupordowna rampontoatrailerortruck
underpower,becausethe unit couldtip over
causingseriouspersonalinjury.Theunitmustbe
pushedmanuallyon a rampto loador unload
properly.
17.Nevermakea cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe
engineisrunningif theoperatormustdismountto
doso.
18.Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-
fittingslacksandshirts.Donotwearloosefitting
clothesorjewelry.Theycanbecaughtinmoving
parts.Neveroperatea unitinbarefeet,sandals
or sneakers.
19.Checkoverheadclearancecarefullybeforedriving
underpowerlines,wires,bridgesorlowhanging
tree branches, before entering or leaving
buildings,or in any other situationwherethe
operatormaybe struckor pulledfromthe unit,
whichcouldresultinseriousinjury.
20.Disengageall attachmentclutches,set the
parkingbrakeintheonposition,andputthelap
bars to the neutral or out position before
attemptingtostarttheengine.
21.Yourmowerisdesignedtocutnormalresidential
grassof a heightno morethan 10". Do not
attemptto mowthroughunusuallytall,drygrass
(e.g.pasture)or pilesof dryleaves.Debrismay
builduponthemowerdeckorcontacttheengine
exhaustpresentinga potentialfirehazard.
22.Useonlyaccessoriesapprovedforthismachine
by Troy-Bilt.Read,understandand follow all
instructions provided with the approved
accessory.
i_11. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and
tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or
death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not
mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part
of this manual to measure slopes before operating this
unit on a sloped or hilly area. Ifthe slope is greater than
15° as shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this
unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO:
Mow across slopes, not up and down.
Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could
overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed so that
you will not have to stop while on the slope.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for coun-
terweights with attachments to improve stability.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. These can change the stability of the machine.
Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid acceleration or deceleration could cause the
front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over back-
wards, which could cause serious injury.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If the tires lose
traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; if mowing
slopes, turn slowly and gradually uphill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over
the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
Do not use the grass catcher on steep slopes.
_k, III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert
to the presence of children. Children are often
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.
Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter
the area.
3. Before and when backing up, look behind and
down for small children.
4. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
They may fall off and be seriously injured or may
interfere with safe machine operation.