Stihl RZ 900 Series Instruction Manual - Page 10

Operation WARNING • Clear the operating area of any objects which could be thrown by or interfere with operation of the unit. • Only operate in daylight or good artificial light. The LED lights supplied with the unit or as an accessory contribute to visibility but are not considered good artificial light suitable for night time mowing. • Keep away from holes and hidden hazards. • Do not operate on public roads. • Never operate the unit without guards securely in place. Be sure all interlocks are attached, adjusted, and functioning properly. • Stop the unit on level ground, disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, and shut off the engine before leaving the operator's position for any reason including emptying the grass catchers or unclogging the chute. • Never carry passengers and keep pets and bystanders away. • Do not direct discharge material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel surfaces or when you are not mowing. • Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. • Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. • To help prevent fires, keep the unit free of grass, leaves, or other unwanted material. Clean remaining oil or fuel spillage. Remove fuel soaked debris and let the unit cool before storage. Starting WARNING • Only operate in well ventilated areas. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a deadly poison. • Be sure all drives are in neutral and parking brake is engaged before starting engine. Only start engine from the operator's position. Use seat belts when the roll bar is in the raised and locked position. the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the deflector in place. • Slow down and use caution when making turns and when changing directions on slopes. • Never raise deck with the blades running. • Never leave a running unit unattended. Always disengage the PTO, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys before dismounting. Keep hands and feet away from the blades. • Turn off the PTO switch to disengage the blades when not mowing. • Never operate without guards securely in place. Be sure all interlocks are attached, adjusted properly and functioning properly. • Never operate with the discharge deflector raised, removed or altered, unless using a grass catcher. • Stop on level ground, disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine before leaving the operator's position for any reason including emptying the grass catchers or unclogging the chute. • Stop equipment and inspect blades after striking objects or abnormal vibration occurs. Make necessary repairs before resuming operations. • Keep hands and feet away from the blades. Moving Parts WARNING This unit has many moving parts that can injure you or someone else. Remain seated during operation and follow the safety instructions in this operator's manual to reduce the risk of injury. The mower deck has spinning mower blades that can amputate hands and feet. Do not allow anyone near the unit while it is running. Keep safety devices (guards, shields, and switches) in place and working. This zero-turn riding mower is equipped with an operator presence interlock system. Do NOT attempt to alter or bypass the system. See your authorized STIHL servicing dealer immediately if the system does not pass all the safety interlock system tests found in this manual. Check that operator's presence controls, safety switches and shields are attached and functioning properly. Do not operate unless they are functioning properly. Mowing WARNING • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down, behind, and to the side before changing directions and while backing. • Do not direct discharge material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may ricochet back towards the operator. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel surfaces. Do not operate 10 stihlusa.com