SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: 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.
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
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 neutral, 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.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine 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.
• Be sure 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 guard, 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, stop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
• 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 guard.
• Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
road ways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck.
• Always wear eye protection when operating machine.
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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.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and
tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or
death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it,
do not mow it.
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have
to stop or shift while on the slope.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction.
Always keep the machine in gear when going down
slopes. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the
tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction,
which could cause the machine to roll over.
• Use extra care while operating machine with grass
catchers or other at tach ments; they can affect the
stability of the machine. Do no use on steep slopes.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel is over
the edge or if the edge caves in.
III. CHILDREN
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.
• 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 extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your view of a
child.
SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IV. TOWING
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for weight
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
• Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
• On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may
cause loss of traction and loss of control.
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
V. SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition.
• Use only approved gasoline container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.
• Never fuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there
is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water
heater or other appliances.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with plastic liner. Always place containers
on the ground away from your vehicle when filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer
and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather
than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank
or container opening at all times until fueling is complete.
Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.
• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten
securely.
GENERAL SERVICE
• Never operate machine in a closed are.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment
is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuelsoaked debris. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the
machine. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
• Never make any adjustments or repairs with the engine
run ning.
• Check grass catcher components and the discharge
guard frequently and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
• Be sure 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.
Al ways look down and behind before and while backing.
• 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.
• 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.
• Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
• Mow up and down slopes (15° Max), not across.
• Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
• Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have
to stop or shift while on the slope.
• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the
tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
• If machine stops while going uphill, disengage blades,
shift into reverse and back down slowly.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Grass Catcher. It has been designed, en gi neered and manu fac tured to
give you the best pos sible de penda bil ity and per form ance.
Should you experience any prob lems you can not easily remedy, please contact your nearest au tho rized service center/
department. They have com pe tent, well trained tech ni cians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual. The in struc tions will enable you to assemble and main tain your Grass Catch er properly.
Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES ................................................................... 2-3
ASSEMBLY ........................................................................... 5-8
OPERATION ............................................................................ 8
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................... 9
STORAGE ................................................................................ 9
REPAIR PARTS ..................................................................... 10
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