Operating Machine - 5
OPERATING MACHINE
Operating Machine
Operate Safely
• In addition to reading your Operator’s Manual, view your
Mowing Safety Video.
• Check brake action before you operate. Adjust or
service brakes as necessary.
• Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware
is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing
parts. Be sure guards and shields are in good condition
and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments
before you operate.
• Clear work area of objects that might be thrown. Keep
people and pets out of the work area. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
• If you hit an object, stop the machine and inspect it.
Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine and
attachments properly maintained and in good working
order.
• DO NOT leave machine unattended when it is running.
• Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.
• Be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
• Do not wear radio or music headphones while operating
the machine. Safe operation requires your full attention.
• Older adults are involved in a large percentage of riding
mower accidents involving injury. These operators should
evaluate their ability to operate a mower safely enough to
protect the operator and others from serious injury.
Park Safely
• Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.
• Disengage mower blades.
• Lower attachments to the ground.
• Engage park brake.
• STOP engine.
• Remove key.
• Before you leave the operator’s seat, wait for engine and
all moving parts to STOP.
Rotating Blades are Dangerous - Protect
Children and Prevent Accidents
PROTECT CHILDREN:
• Never assume that children will remain where you last
saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay
alert to the presence of children.
• Keep children in the house when you are operating the
machine.
• Turn machine off if a child enters the mowing area.
• Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your vision.
• DO NOT let children or an untrained person operate the
machine.
• DO NOT carry or let children ride on machine or any
attachment even with the blades off. DO NOT tow children
in a cart or trailer.
HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:
• Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People
especially children can move quickly into the mowing area
before you know it.
• Back carefully. Disengage mower blades and look
behind the machine carefully, especially for children, before
you back up.
• DO NOT mow in reverse unless it is absolutely
necessary.
• Disengage mower blades when you are not mowing.
• DO NOT operate machine if you are under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.