Cub Cadet Z-Force SX 48 Operation Manual - Page 2

Important Safe Operation Practices 2 WARNING This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol. HEED ITS WARNING! WARNING California Proposition 65 Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. DANGER This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This 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. General Operation 1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts. 2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly. 3. Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and should be trained and supervised by an adult. 4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction. 5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. 6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could be picked up and thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury. 7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator. 8. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes. 9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in bare feet or sandals. 10. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without the discharge cover or entire grass catcher in its proper place. 11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet. 12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. 13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not cutting grass. 14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any public roadway. 15. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. 17. Never carry passengers. 18. Back up slowly. Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident. Be aware and pay attention to the safety system function that stops power to the blades when driving in reverse. If not functioning properly, contact an authorized dealer for safety system inspection and repair. 19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed. 20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any adjustments. 21. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blade(s), place drive control levers/pedals in neutral, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting. 22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This machine should not be driven up or down ramp(s), because the machine could tip over, causing serious personal injury. The machine must be pushed manually on ramp(s) to load or unload properly. 23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch. 24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled from the machine, which could result in serious injury. 25. Disengage all attachment clutches, set the parking brake to the 'ON' position or on control lever tractors move the RH and LH drive control levers fully outward to the neutral position before attempting to start the engine. 26. Your machine 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. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a potential fire hazard. 2