During Operation
During Operation Safety
General Safety
•
The owner/operator can prevent and is responsible
for accidents that may cause personal injury or
property damage.
•
Wear appropriate clothing, including eye
protection; long pants; substantial, slip-resistant
footwear; and hearing protection. Tie back long
hair and do not wear loose clothing or loose
jewelry.
•
Do not operate the machine while ill, tired, or
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
•
Use your full attention while operating the
machine. Do not engage in any activity that
causes distractions; otherwise, injury or property
damage may occur.
•
Before you start the engine, ensure that all drives
are in neutral, the parking brake is engaged, and
you are in the operating position.
•
Do not carry passengers on the machine and keep
bystanders and children out of the operating area.
•
Operate the machine only in good visibility to avoid
holes or hidden hazards.
•
Avoid mowing on wet grass. Reduced traction
could cause the machine to slide.
•
Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting
units.
•
Look behind and down before backing up to be
sure of a clear path.
•
Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure your
vision.
•
Stop the cutting units whenever you are not
mowing.
•
Slow down and use caution when making turns
and crossing roads and sidewalks with the
machine. Always yield the right-of-way.
•
Operate the engine only in well-ventilated areas.
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which
is lethal if inhaled.
•
Do not leave a running machine unattended.
•
Before you leave the operator's position, do the
following:
– Park the machine on a level surface.
– Disengage the cutting unit(s) and lower the
attachments.
– Engage the parking brake.
– Shut off the engine and remove the key.
– Wait for all movement to stop.
•
Operate the machine only in good visibility and
appropriate weather conditions. Do not operate
the machine when there is the risk of lightning.
Rollover Protection System
(ROPS) Safety
•
Do not remove any of the ROPS components from
the machine.
•
Ensure that the seat belt is attached and that you
can release it quickly in an emergency.
•
Always wear your seat belt.
•
Check carefully for overhead obstructions and do
not contact them.
•
Keep the ROPS in safe operating condition by
thoroughly inspecting it periodically for damage
and keeping all the mounting fasteners tight.
•
Replace all damaged ROPS components. Do not
repair or alter them.
Slope Safety
•
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and rollover accidents, which can result in severe
injury or death. You are responsible for safe slope
operation. Operating the machine on any slope
requires extra caution.
•
Evaluate the site conditions to determine if the
slope is safe for machine operation, including
surveying the site. Always use common sense
and good judgment when performing this survey.
•
Review the slope instructions, listed below, for
operating the machine on slopes. Before you
operate the machine, review the site conditions to
determine whether you can operate the machine
in the conditions on that day and at that site.
Changes in the terrain can result in a change in
slope operation for the machine.
– Avoid starting, stopping, or turning the machine
on slopes. Avoid making sudden changes in
speed or direction. Make turns slowly and
gradually.
– Do not operate a machine under any conditions
where traction, steering, or stability is in
question.
– Remove or mark obstructions such as ditches,
holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
hazards. Tall grass can hide obstructions.
Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
– Be aware that operating the machine on wet
grass, across slopes, or downhill may cause
the machine to lose traction.
– Use extreme caution when operating
the machine near drop-offs, ditches,
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