Wright Manufacturing Sentar Commercial Mower - Manual (Page 7)

the stability of the mower. Do not operate the
mower on slopes at all when the grass is wet.
There is a danger of suddenly sliding sideways or
down the hill. When operating on a slope, travel
across the grade whenever possible, not in an up
or down pattern. Reduce speed and exercise
extreme caution on slopes and in sharp turns to
prevent tipping or loss of control. Be especially
cautious when changing direction on slopes.
Heavier operators may consider obtaining the
optional weight bar which is designed to add
weight to the front of the machine.
When pointing up a slope, the Sentar has the
most weight on the drive wheels and therefore
the most traction at the tires. However, this is the
angle that it has the most tendency to tip back
(“pop a wheelie.”) This is the preferred angle for
mowing small areas of steeper slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
• Lean as far forward as possible and stand if
necessary to add your weight to the front of
the mower.
• Accelerate gently. Do not accelerate quickly to
avoid “popping a wheelie”.
• If backing down the hill, do not stop suddenly
but slow down gradually.
When pointing down a slope, the Sentar has
the least weight on the rear drive wheels and
therefore the least traction at the tires. This is
the angle that the mower has the most tendency
to slide. However, this is the angle that it has the
least tendency to tip back. Avoid this angle, as it
has the least advantage for the Sentar.
Recommendations for this angle:
• Stretch your arms out straight while holding
onto the stationary handlebar and sit back
as far as you can on the seat. This adds
more of your body weight to the drive
wheels for more traction.
• Do not change speed suddenly to minimize the
tendency of going into a slide. Accelerate
and decelerate gently. If you ever go into
an uncontrolled slide while pointing down a
slope the recommended procedure is to let
go of the handles and jump off if necessary.
Otherwise, control the mower gently and
stay off slopes that tend to make the wheels
slide.
When crossing a slope sideways, the Sentar
has the average amount of weight on the drive
wheels versus the front wheels, similar to level
ground. However, this angle leaves the least
weight on the higher side drive wheel, tending to
make it slip. This is the preferred angle for
mowing large areas of gentle slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
• Sit back, as far as you can on the seat. This
adds weight to the rear drive wheels and
will allow you to mow more quickly across
the slope without sliding. If your Sentar is
equipped with the optional weight bar on
the front, the mower may not handle as well
crossing slopes as a Sentar without the
weight bar on the front. Weight on the front
of the mower reduces the traction of the
rear drive wheels and can cause the mower
to slide or nose dive down hill. Use of the
optional weight bar is determined by the
width of cut of the mower and the operator’s
weight. For 48” and 52” cut mowers,
operators over 220 pounds may prefer the
optional weight kit. For 61” cut mowers,
operators over 280 may prefer the optional
weight kit. Remember it is recommended
that operators weigh at least 120 pounds
and not more than 350 pounds.
• To reduce the chances of “popping-a-wheelie”,
do not accelerate quickly.
Note: Excessively worn tire tread is dangerous.
Replace tire(s) with less than 3/32” of any tread
groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern
recommended by Wright Mfg., Inc. only. Keep
the tire pressure in the drive tires between 18
and 24 psi. Higher pressures will cause the tires
to have less traction which may prevent safe
operation.
Operation During Zero-Radius Turns:
WARNING
During zero-radius turns (when one mower wheel
rotates backwards while the other rotates
forward) drive extra slowly to reduce the
possibility of losing traction, or control, or
becoming dizzy. This will help prevent you from
being thrown off the mower. Be aware that if you
do a turn on a slope you may go through all of