Product Manual

3
SAFE OPERATIONS PRACTICES
2. Keep bystanders, children, and pets inside during operation under the watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator. Stop tractor if anyone enters
the area.
3. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut off. They may fall off and be
seriously injured or interfere with safe tractor operation. Children who have been
given rides in the past could suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride
and be run over or backed over by the tractor.
4. Be alert and turn tractor off if a child or bystander enters the area.
5. To avoid back-over accidents, always look behind and down for small children.
6. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may block vision of a child who may run into the path of
the tractor.
7. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this tractor. Children 14 and
over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in
this manual and on the tractor and should be trained and supervised by an adult.
8. Do not allow any child to joy ride on the tractor. The tractor is not a toy or a go-
cart. Warn children that the tractor can be dangerous and they must stay away
from it at all times.
9. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a
hot muffler.
10. Remove key when tractor is unattended to prevent unauthorized operation. Make
certain the key is inaccessible to small children.
Slope Operation
1. Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which
can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
2. For safety, measure any slope before using the tractor on the sloped area. Use
a slope measuring device in addition to the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this tractor on a sloped or hilly area.
Smart phone applications can also be utilized to measure slopes. If the slope is
greater than 15° (25%) as shown on the slope gauge or a slope measuring device,
do not operate this tractor on that area or serious injury could result.
3. Do not mow on slopes greater than 15° (25%).
4. Do not mow up or down slopes, only mow across slopes that are less than 15°
(25%). Use low speeds and avoid sudden turns.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding or a loss
of control.
6. Do not operate tractor under any conditions where traction, steering, or stability
is in question. Tires could slide even if the wheels are stopped.
7. Avoid starting and stopping on slopes. Avoid making sudden changes in speed or
direction. Make turns slowly and gradually.
8. Use extra care while operating tractor with grass catcher or other attachment(s).
They can affect the stability of the tractor. Do not use grass catcher on slopes
greater than 10° (17%).
9. Do not try to stabilize the tractor by putting a foot on the ground.
10. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes
in speed or direction. Rapid acceleration could cause the front of the tractor to lift
and rapidly roll over backwards, which could cause serious injury or death.
Fire & Fuel
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling
gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious
personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes
which can ignite. Wash skin and change clothes immediately.
2. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
3. Use only an approved gasoline container.
4. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine
to cool at least five minutes before refueling.
5. Never fuel tractor indoors.
Operating
1. Data indicates that operators, age 65 years and above, are involved in a large
percentage of tractor-related injuries. These operators should evaluate their
ability to operate the tractor safely enough to protect themselves and others
from serious injury.
2. Disengage blade(s) and move the drive control levers fully outward to set the
parking brake before attempting to start the engine.
3. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact
with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.
4. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could
overturn the tractor. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
5. Plan mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks,
helpers, and the like. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction
which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
6. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree
branches, wires, door openings etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled
from the tractor, which could result in serious injury.
7. Never leave a running tractor unattended. Always turn off blade(s), move drive
control levers fully outward into park position, stop engine, and remove key
before dismounting.
8. Disengage blade(s), move the drive control levers fully outward to set the parking
brake, stop engine, and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before
removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging chute, removing any grass or
debris, or making any adjustments.
9. The tractor is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than
10” (25 cm). Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine exhaust
and/or build up on the tractor deck presenting a potential fire hazard.
10. Back up slowly. Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid
a back-over accident.
11. Never carry passengers.
12. Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) from drop-offs, ditches, embankments, or the
edge of water. The tractor could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of
a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
13. A missing or damaged chute deflector can cause blade contact or thrown
object injuries.
14. Do not operate the tractor without the chute deflector or entire grass catcher in
its proper place.
15. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can
change the stability of the tractor. Always follow the attachment
manufacturer’s instructions.
16. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not
cutting grass.
17. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This tractor is not
intended for use on any public roadway.
18. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
19. Do not operate the tractor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
20. Slow down before turning. Operate the tractor smoothly. Avoid erratic operation
and excessive speed.
21. The muffler and engine become very hot and can cause serious burn injuries.
Do not touch. Allow the tractor to cool for five minutes before attempting
any service.
22. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
Children
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the tractor and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last
saw them.