Wright Serial # 55138 and higher - Manual (Page 12)

12
WARNING
you from being thrown off the mower. Be aware that if you do a turn on a slope you may go through all of
the orientations to a slope mentioned below and must handle the mower accordingly.
1.15 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.