Craftsman 127.28875 - Manual (Page 8)

6
WARNING
SAFETY
MANEUVERING SAFELY
In general
- Slow down before turning.
- Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always look behind and down
for small children and pets before and during
backing.
- Be aware when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, tall grass or other objects that may
obscure vision.
- If tires lose traction, disengage the blades. If on
a slope, head downhill.
Mowing slopes
Slopes are a major factor in
loss-of-control and tip over
accidents that sometimes lead
to severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution.
- Do not mow on slopes if uneasy or uncertain.
Ultimate responsibility for safe operation on
slopes rests with the operator.
- Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
A slope is too steep if:
· The machine will not back up the slope.
· The machine must be crabbed (turned
partially sideways uphill) to drive across
the slope.
· The machine turns downhill going across slope.
· You are uneasy about being on the slope.
- On zero turn machines, mow across slopes, not
up and down.
- Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
- With a zero turn machine, if tires lose traction
going down a slope, steering control may be
regained by speeding up.
- Mid-mount zero turns (belly mounted deck) have
much greater traction pointed up slope than
down slope. Be aware that traction may be lost
going down a slope. Do not operate a mid-mount
zero turn on slopes it cannot back up.
- Keep all movement on the slopes slow and
gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed
or direction.
- Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then
turn slowly and downhill when possible.
- Stay away from slopes if the ground is loose or if
caught in the rain during mowing.
- Use lower speeds on a slope to avoid stopping or
shifting.
- Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of
the machine.
- Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs etc.
- Avoid driving over obstacles such as ruts, holes,
rocks and roots whenever possible. Be alert to
dips and rises. Uneven terrain can overturn a
mower or cause it to slide. Tall grasses can hide
obstacles.
- Do not mow drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The machine could suddenly turn over if a wheel
runs over the edge or an edge caves in.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations
for wheel weights or counterweights to improve
stability.
- Do not mow slopes when grass is wet. Reduced
traction could cause sliding.