John Deere L2048 - Manual (Page 9)

Safety - 5
SAFETY
adult.
• Never assume that children will remain where you last
saw them. Children are attracted to mowing activity, stay
alert to the presence of children.
• Keep children indoors when you are mowing. Turn the
machine off if a child enters the mowing area.
• Use extra care when you come to blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may block your vision.
• Do not let children or an untrained person operate the
machine.
• Do not carry or let children ride on any attachment or
machine even with the blades off. Do not tow children in a
cart or trailer.
Avoid Tipping
• 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.
• Keep all movement on slopes slow and gradual. Do not
make sudden changes in speed or direction.
• Slow down before you make a sharp turn or operate on
a slope. Choose a low gear or speed so that you will not
have to stop or shift while on the slope.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary. Turn slowly and
turn downhill. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
• Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards in the
terrain. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
• Keep away from drop-offs, ditches and embankments.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of the
machine. Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.
• Use recommended weights for added stability when
operating on slopes or using front or rear mounted
attachments. Remove weights when not required.
• Drive up and down a hill - not across.
• Do not stop when going up hill or down hill. If machine
stops going up hill, disengage mower blades and back
down slowly.
• Mowing when grass is wet can cause reduced traction
and sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
Keep Riders Off
MIF
• Only allow the operator on the machine. Keep riders off.
• Riders on the machine or attachment may be struck by
foreign objects or thrown off the machine causing serious
injury.
• Riders obstruct the operator’s view resulting in the
machine being operated in an unsafe manner.
Towing Loads Safely
• Limit loads to those you can safely control. Use only
approved hitches when pulling loads or using heavy
equipment. Use counterweights or wheel weights as
required in this manual or your attachment manual.
• Do not tow children in a cart or trailer.
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for weight
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch
point.
• On slopes, the weight of towed equipment may cause
loss of traction and loss of control.