Husqvarna MZ 61 Owners Manual - Page 8

SAFETY Slope Operation Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operation on all slopes requires extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. • Mow up and down slopes (10 degrees maximum), not across. • Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have to stop while on the slope. • Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may lose traction. • Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope. WARNING! Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 10 degrees. And do not drive across any slopes. • Keep movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction, which could cause machine to roll over. • Use extra care while operating machine with grass catchers or other attachments; they can affect the stability of the machine. • Do not use on steep slopes. • Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting a foot on the ground. • Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the edge or the edge caves in. WARNING! CHILDREN CAN BE INJURED BY THIS EQUIPMENT. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be a minimum of 16 years of age before operating a riding lawn mower. 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. • Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. • Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area. • Before and while backing, look behind and down for small children. • Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation. Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine. • Never allow children to operate the machine. • Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child. Safe Handling of Gasoline To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. • Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. • Use only approved gasoline containers. • Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling. • Never fuel the machine indoors. • Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliance. • Before you begin refueling, minimize the risk of static electricity by touching a metal surface. 8