• Do Not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. • Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, remove key and engage parking brake: – Before checking, cleaning or working on the mower. – After striking a foreign object or abnormal vibration occurs (inspect the mower for damage and make repairs before restarting and operating the mower). – Before clearing blockages. – Whenever you leave the mower. • Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and engage parking brake: – Before refueling. – Before dumping the grass catcher. WARNING Hands, feet, hair, clothing, or accessories canbecome entangled in rotating parts. Contactwith the rotating parts can cause traumaticamputation or severe lacerations. • Do Not operate the machine withoutguards, shields, and safety devices inplace and working properly. • Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, or clothingaway from rotating parts. • NEVER carry passengers. DO NOT operate the mower when people, especially children, or pets are in the area. • Be alert, slow down and use caution when making turns. Look behind and to the side before changing directions. • Stop the blades, slow down, and use caution when crossing surfaces other than grass and when transporting the mower to and from the area to be mowed. 7 Safety • Be aware of the mower discharge path and direct discharge away from others. • Do Not operate the mower under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • Use extreme care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. • Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. Slope Operation Use Extreme caution when mowing and/or turning on slopes as loss of traction and/or tip-over could occur. The operator is responsible for safe operation on slopes. DANGER Operating on wet grass or steep slopes cancause sliding and loss of control. Wheelsdropping over edges, ditches, steep banks, orwater can cause rollovers, which may resultin serious injury, death or drowning. • Do Not mow slopes when grass is wet. • Do Not mow near drop-offs or near water. • Do Not mow slopes greater than 15degrees. • Reduce speed and use extreme cautionon slopes. • Avoid sudden turns or rapid speedchanges. • Keep the roll bar in the raised and lockedposition and use seat belt. • See inside the back cover to determine the approximate slope angle of the area to be mowed. • Use a walk behind mower and/or a hand trimmer near drop-offs, ditches, steep banks or water. (Figure 3). Figure3 1. Safe Zone-Use the mower here on slopes less than 15 degrees 2. Danger Zone-Use a walk behind mower and/or hand trimmer on slopes greater than 15 degrees, near drop-offs and water. 3. Water • Remove or mark obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. from the mowing area. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Watch for ditches, holes, rocks, dips and rises that change the operating angle, as rough terrain could overturn the machine. • Avoid sudden starts when mowing uphill because the mower may tip backwards. • Be aware that operating on wet grass, across steep slopes or down hill may cause the mower to lose traction. Loss of traction to the drive wheels may result in sliding and loss of braking and steering. • Always avoid sudden starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly off the slope. • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counter weights to improve stability. • Use extreme care with grass catchers or attachments. These can change the stability of the machine and cause loss of control. UsingtheRolloverProtectionSystem(ROPS) A Rollover Protection System (roll bar) is installed on the unit. 8 Safety WARNING There is no rollover protection when the rollbar is down. Wheels dropping over edges, ditches, steep banks, or water can causerollovers, which may result in serious injury, death or drowning. • Keep the roll bar in the raised and lockedposition and use seat belt. • Lower the roll bar only when absolutely necessary. • Do Not wear seat belt when the roll bar is down. • Drive slowly and carefully. • Raise the roll bar as soon as clearance permits. • Check carefully for overhead clearances (i.e. branches, doorways, and electrical wires) before driving under any objects and Do Not contact them. • In the event of a rollover, take the unit to an Authorized Service Dealer to have the ROPS inspected. Maintenance and Storage • Disengage drives, lower implement, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key or disconnect spark plug wire. Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning or repairing. • Keep engine and engine area free from accumulation of grass, leaves, excessive grease or oil, and other debris which can accumulate in these areas. These materials can become combustible and may result in a fire. • Let engine cool before storing and Do Not store near flame or any enclosed area where open pilot lights or heat appliances are present. • Shut off fuel while s...