Manual
4
19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine 
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive 
speed.
20. Disengage blade(s), set 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. 
21. Never leave a running machine unattended. 
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in 
neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove 
key before dismounting.
22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the 
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not 
be driven up or down ramp(s), because the unit 
could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The 
unit must be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or 
unload properly.
23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a 
burn. Do not touch.
24. 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 unit, which could result in serious 
injury.
25. Disengage all attachment clutches, depress the 
brake pedal completely and shift into neutral before 
attempting to start engine.
26. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential 
grass of a height no more than 10”. 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 mower deck presenting a potential fire hazard.
27. Use only accessories and attachments approved 
for this machine by the machine manufacturer. 
Read, understand and follow all instructions 
provided with the approved accessory or 
attachment. 
28. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and 
above, 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 themselves and others 
from serious injury. 
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this 
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact a 
Toro Service Dealer for assistance.
SLOPE OPERATION 
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. 
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of 
this manual to measure slopes before operating this 
unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 
15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge, do not 
operate this unit on that area or serious injury could 
result.
DO:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise 
extreme caution when changing direction on 
slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other 
hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the 
machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed 
setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while 
on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes 
even though the brakes are functioning properly. 
Always keep machine in gear when going down 
slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for 
wheel weights or counterweights to improve 
stability.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other 
attachments. These can change the stability of the 
machine.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. 
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. 
Rapid transmission engagement or braking could 
cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip 
over backwards which could cause serious injury.
7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose 
traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed 
slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT: 
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn 
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or 
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn 
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if 
an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your 
foot on the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes. 
5. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could 
cause sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Doing so 
may cause the operator to lose control of the 
machine resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. 
loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes 
greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the 
extra weight tends to push the tractor and may 
cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may speed 
up, braking and steering ability are reduced, 
attachment may jack-knife and cause tractor to 
overturn).










