Cub Cadet PRO HW 354 Operation Manual - Page 3

37. When operating this machine in the forward or reverse direction, do not allow the ground speed control levers to return to the neutral position on their own. Always maintain a firm grip on the levers, operate them smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of the levers when starting or stopping. Slope Operation Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it. Do: 1. Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Always turn up hill. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. 2. Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles. 3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. Check the area thoroughly before mowing. Slow down and use extra care. Do Not: 1. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could lose your footing or balance. 2. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge. 3. Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping. WARNING Do not mow up and down the slope. You could slip and slide into the mower, or the mower could loose traction and steering control. Children Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. 1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. 2. Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area. 3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children. 4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower. 5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler. 6. Do not allow anyone to operate or maintain this machine who has not read the manual. Never allow children under 16 years of age to operate this machine. Hydraulic Devices & Systems Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure may have sufficient force to penetrate skin and to 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. WARNING Keep body and hands away from pinholes or nozzles that could eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. Use paper or cardboard, not hands, to search for leaks! Safely relieve all pressure in the system before performing any work on the system, and make sure that: • The ignition switch is OFF • The key is removed • The engine spark plug wire(s) removed • All connections to the negative terminal of the battery are removed • The park brake is set • All by-pass valves, if so equipped, are open • Hydraulic controls are actuated to release pressure on pumps, cylinders, etc. If "float" positions are available, they should be used. After the above operations are completed, it should be safe to begin disconnecting the lines or components. It is still a good idea to cover the connection with a cloth shield and then gently loosen connections. WARNING Make sure all hydraulic fluid connections are tight and all hydraulic hoses and lines are in good condition before applying pressure to the system. Service Safe Handling Of Gasoline: 1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes, which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately. 2. Use only an approved gasoline container and fill slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and spillage. 3. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling. 4. Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle. 5. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device. 6. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. 7. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area. 8. If the fuel container spout will not fit inside the fuel tank opening, use a funnel. 9. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors. 10. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling. 11. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill the tank to the bottom of the filler neck, allowing some space in the tank for fuel expansion. 12. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely. 13. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting engine. 14. Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances. 15. To reduce fire hazard, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris. 16. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing. General Service: WARNING Never let children or untrained people operate or service this mower. 1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. 2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting. 3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture's (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety! 4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them. 5. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. 6. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. 7. If you hit a solid object while mowing, disengage the blade clutch, place the neutral latch levers in the neutral lock position, shift the transmission into neutral and stop the engine. Disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and inspect for damage. Repair any damage and make sure the blades are in good condition and the blade bolts are tight before restarting the engine. Section 2 - Important Safe Operation Practices 3