Wright Manufacturing STEAM MASTER 4214 - Manual (Page 9)

9
Operation on Slopes
DO NOT operate on steep slopes. Do not
operate the mower on slopes steeper than you
can feel secure about the traction of the tires
and the stability of the mower. Do not operate
the mower on slopes at all when the grass is
wet. There is a danger of suddenly sliding
sideways or down the hill. When operating on a
slope, travel across the grade whenever
possible, not in an up or down pattern. Reduce
speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes
and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of
control. Be especially cautious when changing
direction on slopes.
When pointing up a slope, your mower has the
most weight on the drive wheels and therefore
the most traction at the tires. However, this is
the angle that it has the most tendency to tip
back (“pop a wheelie.”) This is the preferred
angle for mowing small areas of steeper slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
•
Lean as far forward as possible to add your
weight to the front of the mower.
•
Accelerate gently. Do not accelerate quickly
to avoid “popping a wheelie”.
•
If backing down the hill, do not stop suddenly
but slow down gradually.
When pointing down a slope, your mower has
the least weight on the rear drive wheels and
therefore the least traction at the tires. This is
the angle that the mower has the most tendency
to slide. However, this is the angle that it has
the least tendency to tip back. Avoid this angle,
as it has the least advantage for your mower.
Recommendations for this angle:
•
Lean back with arms stretched out straight
while holding onto the stationary
handlebar. This transfers more of your
body weight to the rear drive wheels for
more traction.
•
Do not change speed suddenly to minimize
the tendency of going into a slide.
Accelerate and decelerate gently. If you
ever go into an uncontrolled slide while
pointing down a slope the recommended
procedure is to let go of the handles and
jump off if necessary. Otherwise, control
the mower gently and stay off slopes that
tend to make the wheels slide.
When crossing a slope sideways, your mower
has the average amount of weight on the drive
wheels versus the front wheels, similar to level
ground. However, this angle leaves the least
weight on the higher side drive wheel, tending to
make it slip. This is the preferred angle for
mowing large areas of gentle slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
•
Stand straight, but lean sideways, toward the uphill
side and stand on the uphill side of the foot
platform. This adds weight to the higher side
drive wheel and will allow you to mow more
quickly across the slope without sliding.
•
To reduce the chances of “popping-a-wheelie”, do
not accelerate quickly.
Note: Excessively worn tire tread is dangerous.
Replace tire(s) with less than 3/32” of any tread
groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern
recommended by Wright Mfg., Inc. only. Keep
the tire pressure in the drive tires between 18
and 22 psi. Higher pressures will cause the tires
to have less traction which may prevent safe
operation.
Fuel Safety
Handle gasoline with care – it is highly
flammable. Do not smoke while handling
gasoline. Use an approved gasoline container.
Never remove the fuel cap or add gasoline to a
running or hot engine or an engine that has not
been allowed to cool for several minutes after
running. Never fill the tank indoors and always
clean up spilled gas. NEVER store the
equipment with gasoline in the tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an open flame
or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing
in any enclosure.
Hydraulic Safety
Keep body and hands away from pin holes or
fittings that eject hydraulic fluid under high
pressure. Use paper or cardboard and not
hands to search for leaks. Hydraulic fluid
escaping under high pressure may have
sufficient force to penetrate skin and cause
serious injury. If foreign fluid is injected into the
skin, it must be surgically removed within a few
hours by a doctor familiar with this form of injury
or gangrene may result. Seek medical attention
immediately. Make sure all hydraulic fluid
connections are tight and all hydraulic hoses
and lines are in good condition before starting
your Wright mower. Hydraulic fluid is under high
pressure. If you need service on your hydraulic
system, please see your authorized Wright
dealer.
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING