DANGER: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci den tal
starting when setting up, trans port ing,
ad just ing or making repairs, al ways dis con-
nect spark plug wire and place wire where
it can not contact spark plug.
WARNING: Do not coast down a hill in neut-
ral, you may lose control of the tractor.
WARNING: Tow only the attachments that
are rec om mend ed by and comply with
spec i fi ca tions of the man u fac tur er of your
tractor. Use common sense when towing.
Operate only at the low est possible speed
when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, while
on a slope, is dan ger ous. Tires can lose
trac tion with the ground and cause you to
lose control of your tractor.
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its con stit u ents, and cer tain
vehicle com po nents contain or emit chem i cals
known to the State of Cal i for nia to cause can cer
and birth de fects or oth er re pro duc tive harm.
WARNING
Battery posts, terminals and related ac ces so ries
contain lead and lead compounds, chem i cals known
to the State of Cal i for nia to cause can cer and birth
defects or oth er re pro duc tive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
I. CHILDREN
WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE INJURED BY
THIS EQUIPMENT. The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends that children be a
minimum of 12 year of age before operating
a pedestrian controlled lawn mower and a
minimum of 16 years of age before operating
a riding lawn mower.
WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE SERIOUSLY
INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS EQUIPMENT.
Carefully read and follow all of the safety
instructions below.
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the ma-
chine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
•
Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
•
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area.
SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
•
Before and while backing, look behind and down for small
children.
•
Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe
machine operation. Children who have been given rides
in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for
another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
•
Never allow children to operate the machine.
•
Use extreme caution when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view
of a child.
II. GENERAL OPERATION
•
Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the ma-
chine and in the manual before starting.
•
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
machine. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.
•
Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
in struc tions, to operate the machine.
•
Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc.,
which could be picked up and thrown by the blades.
•
Ensure 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 back ing.
•
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 machine without the entire grass catcher,
discharge chute, or other safety devices in place and
working.
•
Slow down before turning.
•
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn
off blades, set parking brake, and stop engine before
dismounting. Manually lock ignition switch. (See "MANU-
ALLY LOCKING THE SmartSwitch™ IGNITION" in the
Op er a tion section of this manual).
•
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 grass catcher, or
unclogging the discharge chute.
•
Operate machine only in daylight or good artifi cial light.
•
Do not operate the machine while under the infl uence of
alcohol or drugs.
•
Watch for traffi c when operating near or crossing road ways.
•
Use extreme caution when loading or unloading the ma-
chine into a trailer or truck.
•
Always wear eye protection when operating machine.
•
Use ear protectors to avoid damage to hearing.
•
Data indicates that operators, age 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 them-
selves and others from serious injury.
•
Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for wheel
weights or counterweights.
•
Keep machine free of grass, leaves or other debris build-up
which can touch hot exhaust / engine parts and burn. Do
not allow the mower deck to plow leaves or other debris
which can cause build-up to occur. Clean any oil or fuel
spillage before operating or storing the machine. Allow
machine to cool before storage.
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