Exmark MOWING SAFETY TIPS Overview

MOWING SAFETY TIPS

WELCOME TO THE EXMARK FAMILY

Thank you for choosing an Exmark
zero-turn mower. These safety
recommendations are intended for
operator’s of Exmark’s consumer mowers.
Safety recommendations for Exmark
commercial mowers can be found at
www.exmark.com/safetytips.htm.

With your purchase comes the
responsibility to use your new mower
properly and safely! This brochure concerns
your safety and the safety of those around
you. PLEASE read it carefully!

Exmark products are built with safety in
mind. Our mowers meet or exceed current
industry and government safety standards;
however, their proper use depends on
YOU! Exmark mowers are designed to cut
grass and they do this to perfection.

A lawn mower does not
know the difference
between a blade of
grass and a finger or a
toe. Most mower-related
accidents are caused by

negligent and careless
behavior. It is up to you, the user, to stay
away from moving parts.

REMEMBER:

A moment of carelessness could lead to a
lifetime of regret.

SAFE OPERATING RULES FOR WALK­BEHIND AND RIDING MOWERS

The same caution should be exercised
when operating a lawn mower as driving
an automobile. The following rules are
intended to help you avoid possible
injury or even death. Most safe operating
instructions apply whether you are using a
riding mower or a walk-behind mower and
should always be observed.

Before performing any service to the
mower, such as changing the oil or
removing the blade for sharpening, stop
the machine and wait for all moving parts
to stop. Always pull the wire off the spark
plug and push it aside so it does not
accidently contact the spark plug. This will
ensure that the engine does not start.

DO NOT alter governor settings. See
your Exmark dealer if your mower is not
performing properly.

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1. READ THE OPERATOR’S

MANUAL THOROUGHLY!

3. LEAVE ALL SAFETY
FEATURES INTACT!

Operator’s Manuals address the use and
reasonably foreseeable misuse of the
mower. The manuals are written by Exmark
employees familiar with the operation of
the mowers, their capabilities and their
limitations. Engineers who designed the
machines are also involved in the writing of
the Operator’s Manuals.

Keep the Operator’s Manual in a place
where you can find it when needed.

Pay particular attention to the safety
instructions. Insist that all individuals who
will be operating the mower read and
understand the Operator’s Manual and this
brochure at the beginning of each mowing
season.

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL

This symbol is important to
your personal safety and the
safety of those in the area.
When you see it, read the

accompanying message carefully.

2. KNOW HOW TO STOP
THE MACHINE QUICKLY!

Guards, shields, deflectors, and warnings
decals are on the machine for your
protection and that of others.

DO NOT remove or disable a safety
feature because it seems to be an
inconvenience. If a safety feature should be
lost or damaged or a decal should become
illegible discontinue use of the mower until
the damaged or missing parts are repaired
or replaced.

The discharge deflector is designed to
direct thrown objects downward into the
grass. They also help prevent accidental
contact with the blade.

DO NOT
remove or
disable a
deflector,
shield, or
guard.
DO NOT
operate the
mower if the
discharge deflector is in any position other
than the normal operating position.

Before doing anything else, check the
operation of the blade stopping feature. If
the blade stopping feature is not working
properly, DO NOT operate the mower
until the problem has been located and
corrected. See your Exmark dealer to be
sure.

NEVER leave the operator’s position

without first
stopping the
machine.

If the discharge deflector is ever damaged,
replace it immediately.

NEVER put your hands or feet under the
mower.

NEVER try to clear the discharge area or
mower blades unless the engine is stopped
and the spark plug wire has been pulled off.

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Be certain that no persons or pets are in

STOP

STOP

STOP

the vicinity of a mower when it is in use,
as a thrown object which hits a sidewalk,
driveway, or other hard surface can
ricochet upward. Stop mowing if a person
or foreign object appears in your mowing
area.

4. CLEAR THE MOWING AREA!

The mower blade rotates at an extremely
high speed! It is shaped to create an
upward draft under the housing, a
vacuuming action, to stand the grass up
for a cleaner cut. Because of this, the blade
can pick up debris, such as small rocks,
wires, and broken glass, and throw it out
the discharge port with considerable force.
The operator should use extreme caution
to minimize the risks from these thrown
objects by taking these precautions.

This is the only way to avoid possible injury
to that person or damage to objects in the
cutting area.

DO NOT operate a rear bagger or a
mower with a mulching attachment unless
the discharge door is closed, or the bag,
mulch plug or side discharge attachment is
properly secured.

Check the grass-catching bag frequently
as it is subject to deterioration. If it is worn
or damaged, replace it with a new bag. A
hole or a weak spot in the bag could allow
a foreign object to be thrown into

the

operator’s position or the surrounding area.

If you notice damage to the mower such as
loose screws, missing bolts, broken parts,
or anything abnormal, STOP the engine,
wait for all moving parts to stop, and
correct the condition before you resume
mowing.

Check all parts periodically for wear or
deterioration and replace as required with
genuine Exmark parts.

Exmark parts are designed and tested
specifically for use on Exmark products. If a
part on your mower must be replaced, use
a genuine Exmark part.

Before starting
the mower,
walk around
the area and
pick up any
rocks, wires,
sticks, and other objects that the blade
might pick up and throw. Be careful about
this.

REMEMBER once an object has been
thrown and caused injury, it is too late to
think about what should have been done!
Keep everyone out of the area being
mowed. If children are playing in the back
yard, cut the front yard, and vice versa.
Better still, send them into the house while
you are mowing. A child can dart in front
of the mower in a fraction of a second, and
that’s all it takes for an accident.

If someone enters the yard while you’re
mowing, turn off the mower and wait until
he or she leaves the area before restarting
the mower.

NEVER cross driveways or paths with the
blade rotating. The blade can pick up and
throw gravel or loose rocks.

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5. AVOID BLADE
CONTACT

Always assume the
blade is turning when
the engine is running.

NEVER put your hand
or any part of the body, in or anywhere
close to the blade path when the engine is
running. This applies even if the mower is

equipped with a blade
brake clutch.

REMEMBER: There
is little clearance
between the outer
ends of the blade

and the inside surface
of the housing. An injury can result if the
operator of a lawn mower puts his or her
hand in the path of a turning blade when
attempting to clear a plugged discharge
port, or when changing the height-of-cut
without turning off the engine. To depend
entirely on the mechanical or electrical
safely devices is not good enough. Use
caution and common sense as well.

NEVER clear the chute with the engine
running. Turn off the engine and be sure
the blade has stopped before making any
adjustments or corrections. Use a stick to
clear a plugged discharge area. NEVER
use your hand!

6. NEVER ALLOW
CHILDREN TO
OPERATE A LAWN
MOWER!

A lawn mower is not a
toy, and cutting grass
is not child’s play.
Maturity varies greatly
among children,

but

a good rule to follow is: If you’re not
comfortable with them driving your
automobile, you should not allow them
to operate a lawn mower — whether it is
a walk behind or riding mower.

Only adults and mature teenagers should
operate a mower, and even mature
teenagers should have adult supervision.

Be sure a teenager:

1) Has the ability to read and understand
the Operator’s Manual and to
recognize the risks involved.

2) Is sufficiently mature to use caution.

3) Is of sufficient size and weight to
operate the controls comfortably and
to manage the mower without
taking risks.

If you have doubts or questions, DO
NOT take the risk! Make sure all
persons operating the mower read and
understand the Operator’s Manual first
and are familiar with the controls.

7. WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

Dress for the job of cutting grass.
This means substantial shoes (no
sandals, tennis shoes, etc.) and full
length trousers must be worn. NEVER
mow barefooted. Be aware that loose
clothing or dangling jewelry can become
entangled in
moving mower
parts and lead to
an accident.
To be properly
dressed for the
job, goggles
or similar eye
protection is recommended.

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8. GIVE YOUR MOWING OPERATION
YOUR FULL ATTENTION AND FULL
USE OF YOUR FACULTIES!

DO NOT operate a lawn mower when

under the influence of alcohol, medication
or other mind-altering substances; or if you
feel especially depressed, tired, or angry.
Avoid distractions such as ear phones.
Stay alert and devote your full attention to
what you are doing and to who and what is
around you.

9. REFUEL YOUR MOWER CAREFULLY!

Follow precautions outlined in the
Operator’s Manual when filling the lawn
mower fuel tank. DO NOT smoke while
filling the fuel tank. DO NOT fill the fuel
tank indoors, or while the engine is hot or
running. Wipe up any spilled fuel before
starting or restarting the engine.

10. FOLLOW THESE ADDITIONAL
MOWING INSTRUCTIONS

We recommend mowing only in dry
conditions. If circumstances absolutely
require mowing in wet conditions, be
especially careful and ever-mindful that wet
grass may not disperse or bag properly.

Wet grass can clump in the discharge area.
If that occurs, shut off the engine before
attempting to remove the grass from the
discharge area.

When using a walk behind mower, mow
across a slope, NEVER up and down. DO
NOT mow slopes greater than 20 degrees.
(See Page 7 or Operator’s Manual for
slope chart.)

If the grass is excessively long, cut it high
on the first pass. This will help to eliminate
clumping of the grass in the discharge port
and to expose and uncover any objects
hidden in the high grass that could be
thrown by the blade.

After picking up all visible objects, cut the
grass a second time to the desired height.

If the blade comes in contact with a solid
object, stop the engine. Wait for all moving
parts to stop, remove the spark plug wire,
and check the machine immediately. An
abnormal vibration is a sign of trouble, and
the mower should be repaired before you
resume operation.

Push a walk-behind mower forward; DO
NOT pull it backward toward your body.

Keep hands and other
parts of the body
away from the engine
when it’s hot to avoid a
severe burn.

Mow the lawn only when there is daylight.
NEVER leave the mower unattended while
the engine is running.

There is also the possibility you might slip on
wet grass and your foot might slide into the
blade path.

We recognize that mowers will be used from
time to time when the grass is wet. There
may be little choice in areas of high humidity
and/or frequent rainfalls. In those situations,
it is up to you to be especially careful.

STOP the mower engine each time it is
necessary to change the height-of-cut or
clear a plugged chute. Use a stick to clear
the chute, not your hand.

The above precautions should add up to
no more than 20 minutes each mowing
season — 20 minutes that could possibly
save toes and fingers.

Page 5

WA TER

DANGER

ZONE

SAFE
ZONE

Greater than 15°

RIDING MOWERS

The safety instructions above also apply to
riding mowers. In addition, the following rules
apply specifically to riding mowers.

1. CARRY NO PASSENGERS!

NEVER allow passengers, especially a child on

your lap, on any riding mower, in any cart, or
on any implement being towed. This reduces
your ability to control the mower and diverts

your attention from
the mowing job at
hand. Remember,
there is always a risk
that the child could
slip and fall or jump
off the mower.

2. USE CARE DURING SLOPE
OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of
control and tip-over accidents, which can result
in severe injury or death. Reduce speed and
use extra caution on slopes. If you cannot back
up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, DO

NOT mow it.

NEVER Operate a riding mower on slopes

over 15 Degrees. (See page 7 or Operator’s
Manual for slope chart). Be aware that a loss
of traction may occur going downhill. Weight
transfer to the front wheels may cause drive
wheels to slip and cause loss of braking and
steering.

DO NOT mow slopes when grass is wet.
Slippery conditions reduce traction and cause
sliding and loss of control.

Use extreme care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of
the machine and cause loss of control.

Caution: If there is any doubt
about tipping or losing
control, stay off the slope.

To avoid a loss of control
and possibility of a
rollover follow these
recommendations:

• Do Not mow near

drop offs or water.

• Do Not mow

slopes greater
than 15 degrees.

• Reduce speed and use extra caution on

slopes.

• When mowing slopes, gradually work from

lower to higher areas on the incline.

• Avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.

• Turn up, into an incline when changing

directions on slopes. Turning down the
slope reduces traction.

• Use a walk-behind mower and/or a trimmer

near drop-offs, ditches, steep banks or water.

Caution: If there is any doubt about tipping or
losing control, stay off the slope.

To avoid a loss of control and possibility of a
rollover follow these recommendations:

• Do Not mow near drop offs or water.

• Do Not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.

• Reduce speed and use extra caution on

slopes.

• When mowing slopes, gradually work from

lower to higher areas on the incline.

• Avoid sudden turns or rapid speed changes.

• Turn up, into an incline when changing

directions on slopes. Turning down the
slope reduces traction.

• Use a

walk-behind
mower and/
or a trimmer

near drop­ offs, ditches,
steep banks
or water.

Page 6

IT’S UP TO YOU, THE OPERATOR, TO ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS AND TO AVOID THEM!

For more information regarding the safe use of your Exmark mower:

VISIT US: www.exmark.com

OR E-MAIL: Customer Service — [e-mail]

OR WRITE US:

Exmark Mfg. Inc., Co.
2101 Ashland Avenue,
P.O. Box 808
Beatrice, NE 68310

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