Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 60 - Manual (Page 5)

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17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while the
engine is running if the operator must dismount to
do so.
18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefit-
ting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving
parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or
sneakers.
19. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging
tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings,
or in any other situation where the operator may be
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result
in serious injury.
20. Disengage all attachment clutches, set the parking
brake to the on position and put the lap bars to the
neutral or out position, before attempting to start
the engine.
21. Your mower 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. Debris may
build up on the mower deck or contact the engine
exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.
22. Use only accessories approved for this machine by
Cub Cadet. Read, understand and follow all
instructions provided with the approved accessory.
B. 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. Never
assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as a part
of this manual (see pg. 28) 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:
• Mow across slopes, not up and down.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed so that
you will not have to stop while on the slope.
• Follow the manufacture’s recommendations for
counterweights with attachments to improve stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-
ments. These can change the stability of the machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.
Rapid acceleration or deceleration could cause the
front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over back-
wards, which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If the tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
DO NOT:
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn
slowly and use extra care.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embank-
ments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a
wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge
caves in.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could
cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
• Do not use the grass catcher on steep slopes.
C. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert
to the presence of children. Children are often
attracted to the machine and the mowing activity.
Never assume that children will remain where you
last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of an adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn the machine off if children enter
the area.
3. Before and when backing up, look behind and
down for small children.
4. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
They may fall off and be seriously injured or may
interfere with safe machine operation.
5. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
the machine. Children 14 years and over
should only operate the machine under
close parental supervision and proper
instruction.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child or other hazard.
7. Remove the key when the machine is left unat-
tended to prevent unauthorized operation.
D. SERVICE
1. Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.
a.
Use only an approved container.
b. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with the
engine running. Allow the engine to cool
at least two minutes before refueling.
c. Replace the fuel cap securely and wipe off
any spilled fuel before starting the engine
as it may cause a fire or explosion.