Bolens 300 Series - Manual (Page 2)

IMPORTANT
A
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSON­
AL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR UNI T. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL— A HEED ITS WARNING.
A
DANGER:
This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe
the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the m inual and
on the machine before starting. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference and for ordering replacemer t parts.
2. Only allow responsible adults familiar with the instri ctions to
operate the machine. Know controls and how to stop the
machine quickly.
3. Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or nea' rotating
parts.
4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, f tc. which
could be picked up and thrown by the blade. A small object
may have been overlooked and could be accidently tirown by
the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a
bystander. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during
operation or while performing an adjustment or repa r, to pro­
tect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blade(s) wh m cross­
ing gravel drives, walks or roads.
5. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Never carry passengers.
7. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and be eking up.
Always look down and behind before and while backirg.
8. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge dire ction and
do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mowe r without
either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in pi ice.
9. Slow down before turning. Operate the tractor smoothly. Avoid
erratic operation and excessive speed.
10. Never leave a running machine unattended. Alway; turn off
blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set park brike, stop
engine and remove key before dismounting.
II. Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
12. Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a complete stop
before (a) removing grass catcher or unclogging chite, or (b)
making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass nr debris.
13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
14. Do not operate the machine while under the influenc
î of alco­
hol or drugs.
15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roac iways.
16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the mach ne into a
trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or down a
ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit
could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The jnit must
be pushed manually to load or unload properly.
17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while engire is run­
ning if operator must dismount to do so.
18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitti ig slacks
and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jew( jry. They
can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a un t 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 situati in where
the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which
could result in serious injury.
20. Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly depress the
brake pedal, and shift into neutral before attempting to start
engine.
II. 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.
DO:
Mow up and down slopes, not across.
Remove obstacles such as rocks, linibs, 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 gear so that you will not
have to stop or shift while on the slope. Always keep tractor in gear
when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking
action.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or
counterweights to improve stability.
Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. 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 engagement or brak­
ing could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over
backwards which could cause serious injury.
Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disen­
gage the blade(s) and proceed slowly
straight down the slope.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the slope is greater than 15° as shown on the slope gauge,
do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO NOT:
Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. A wheel over
the edge or an edge caving in could cause sudden overturn.
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 grass catcher on steep slopes.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the pres­
ence 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 machine off if children enter the area.
3. Before and when backing, look behind and
down for small chil­
dren.
4. Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured
or interfere with the safe machine operation.
5. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate the
machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate
machine under close parental supervision and proper instruc­
tion.
6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees
or other objects that may obscure vision.
(continued on page 5)