Farm Star FOD-15 - Manual (Page 12)

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S A F E T Y I N S T R U C T I O N S (continued)
Safety of the operator is one of the main concerns in designing and developing a new piece of equipment.
Designers and manufacturers build in as many safety features as possible. However, every year many
accidents occur which could have been avoided by a few seconds of thought and a more careful approach to
handling equipment. You, the operator, can avoid many accidents by observing the following precautions in
this section. To avoid personal injury, study the following precautions and insist those working with you, or for
you, follow them.
To prevent injury or death, use a tractor equipped with a Roll-Over Protective System (ROPS). Do not paint
over, remove or deface any safety signs or warning signs on your equipment. Observe all safety signs and
practice the instruction on them.
Never exceed the limits of a piece of machinery. If its ability to do a job, or to do so safely, is in question -
DON’T TRY IT.
Do not modify the equipment in any way. Unauthorized modification may impair the function and/or safety and
could affect the life of the equipment.
In addition to the design and configuration of this implement, including Safety Signs and Safety Equipment,
hazard control and accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, prudence, and proper
training of personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance, and storage of the machine. Refer also
to Safety Messages and Operation Instructions in each of the appropriate sections of the Tractor and
Implement Manuals. Pay close attention to the Safety Signs affixed to the Tractor and the Implement.
Review the safety instructions with all users annually.
This equipment is dangerous to children and persons unfamiliar with its operation. The operator should be a
responsible adult familiar with farm machinery and trained in this equipment’s operations. Do not allow per-
sons to operate or assemble this unit until they have read this manual and have developed a thorough
understanding of the safety precautions and of how it works.
EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
Replace safety signs that are missing or have become illegible.
Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign should also display the current sign.
Safety signs are available from your Distributor or Dealer Parts Department or the factory.
SAFETY SIGNS
O P E R AT I O N
The safe operation of the implement is the respon-
sibility of the operator. The operator should be familiar
with the implement, tractor (or ATV) and all safety
practices before starting operation. Review and follow
all the safety rules in this manual and those of the
tractor or ATV.
Due to the sharp rotating blades, a responsible adult
only (not a child) should do all the discing and trans-
porting operations.
Inspect the area to be disced for stumps, stones,
branches, or other foreign objects that could cause
damage to the pulling vehicle or the disc. If objects
cannot be cleared from the area (like stumps) then
mark them clearly so the operator can avoid them.
The large 16” diameter notched disc blades will cut
trash and penetrate the soil for good ground pre-
paration. In sod or tough soil conditions, several
passes may be necessary to work the soil to a satis-
factory condition.
The disc can be operated at up to 5 mph. Under
most conditions, 3 to 4 mph is a better operating
speed. Operating too fast will not allow the blades to
penetrate and greatly increase the chance of damage
to the disc.
Successive passes should be made with the outer
blade approximately 7 inches from the previous pass to
match the blade spacing and to prevent ridging. In
most cases, multiple passes will be required to achieve
the desired soil preparation. It is recommended to
straddle previous passes or work the second time over
at an angle to avoid ridging and to mix the soil.
Never allow anyone to play near the unit and always
store the unit in a safe secure place, preferable in a
locked storage shed or fenced area. Never allow
anyone to climb or ride on the unit for any reason.
An optional weight kit is available for increasing disc
penetration.
O P E R AT I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
Pass diagonally through sharp dips and avoid sharp
drops to prevent “hanging up” tractor and disc.
Practice will improve your skills in maneuvering rough
terrain.
UNEVEN TERRAIN –
W A R N I N G !
Do not operate on steep slopes.
Do not stop, start or change directions suddenly
on slopes.
Use extreme care and reduce ground speed on
slopes and rough terrain.
Watch or hidden hazards on the terrain during
operation.
C A U T I O N !
When maneuvering close to buildings or passing
through narrow areas, be sure to allow sufficient
clearance for the implement and tractor or ATV.
C A U T I O N !
Keep alert and watch the front as well as the rear
when working with equipment.
Do not operate close to ditches or creeks.
Slow down when operating over rough ground.
Avoid excessive speeds!
SAFETY . . .
YOU CAN LIVE WITH IT!