MTD 13B-325-401 - Manual (Page 3)

3
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the
personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate your rider mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in
personal injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
Your rider mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type
of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. If you violate any
of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
General Operation
• Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the machine before starting. Keep
this manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
• Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the
instructions to operate the machine. Know controls
and how to stop the machine quickly.
• Do not put hands or feet under cutting deck or near
rotating parts.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire,
etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the
blade. A small object may have been overlooked
and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in
any direction and cause injury to you or a
bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury,
keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75
feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always
wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop
the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or
roads.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before
mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
• Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse and
backing up. Always look down and behind before
and while backing.
• Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not
operate the mower without either the entire grass
catcher or the chute guard in place.
• Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
• Never leave a running machine unattended.
Always turn off blade(s), place transmission in
neutral, set park brake, stop engine and remove
key before dismounting.
• Turn off blade(s) when not mowing.
• Stop engine and wait until blade(s) comes to a
complete stop before (a) removing grass catcher or
unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs,
adjusting or removing any grass or debris.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.Watch for traffic when
operating near or crossing roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the
machine into a trailer or truck. This unit should not
be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck
under power, because the unit could tip over,
causing serious personal injury. The unit must be
pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload
properly.
• Never make cutting height adjustment while engine
is running, if operator must dismount to do so.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting
clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving
parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, or
sneakers.
• Check overhead clearance carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging
tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings,
or in any other situation where the operator may be
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in
serious injury.
• Disengage all attachment clutches, thoroughly
depress the brake pedal, and shift into neutral
before attempting to start engine.
• Your mower is designed to cut normal residential
grass of a height no more than 10". Do not attempt
to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g.,
pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up
on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust
presenting a potential fire hazard.
Slope Operation
• Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and tip-over accidents which can result in severe