Safety

The machine safety labels shown in this section are placed in important areas on your machine to draw attention to potential safety hazards.

On your machine safety labels, the words DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION are used with this safety-alert symbol,. DANGER identifies the most serious hazards.

The operator's manual also explains any potential safety hazards whenever necessary in special safety messages that are identified with the word, CAUTION, and the safety-alert symbol,.

WARNING: RIDERS CAN FALL OFF AND BE KILLED

CAUTION

WARNING-HOT SURFACE


MIF Picture Note: "HOT" muffler warning stamped into the top of the vehicle muffler. DO NOT touch the vehicle muffler, it may be hot.

WARNING: USE SEAT BELT

WARNING


MIF Picture Note: Labels are located on each vehicle frame side rail. Avoid injury from crushing: Always use safety support when working on a raised bed or attachment.

Emissions Control System Certification Label (NonRoad Diesel)


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Statutes providing severe penalties for tampering with emissions controls may apply at the user's location.

The emissions warranty described in the Warranty section applies only to those engines marketed by John Deere that have been certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB); and used in the United States in non-road mobile (self-propelled or portable/transportable¹) equipment. The presence of an emissions label like the one shown signifies that the engine has been certified with the EPA and/or CARB. The EPA and CARB warranties only apply to new engines having the certification label affixed to the engine and sold as stated above in the geographic areas governed by the regulating agencies.

NOTE: The hp/kW rating on the engine emissions certification label specifies the gross engine hp/kW, which is flywheel power without fan. In most applications this will not be the same rating as the advertised vehicle hp/kW rating.

Emission Control System Certification Label (Small Off-Road Gas Engines)


NOTE: Tampering with emission controls and components by unauthorized personnel may result in severe fines or penalties. Emission controls and components can only be adjusted by EPA and/or CARB authorized service centers. Contact your John Deere Commercial and Consumer Equipment Retailer concerning emission controls and component questions. The presence of an emissions label signifies that the engine has been certified with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB). The emissions warranty applies only to those engines marketed by John Deere that have been certified by the EPA and/or CARB; and used in the United States and Canada in off-road mobile equipment.

Emission Compliance Period (Small Off-Road Gas Engines)

If your engine has the emission compliance category listed on the emission control system certification or air index label, this indicates the number of operating hours for which the engine has been certified to meet EPA and/or CARB emission requirements. The following table provides the engine compliance period in hours associated with the category found on the certification label.


Agency	Category	Hours
EPA	C	250
EPA	B	500
EPA	A	1000
CARB	Moderate	125
CARB	Intermediate	250
CARB	Extended	500

Operator Training Required

· The owner of the machine is responsible for training the users of the machine.

· The owner/user can prevent accidents with proper use of the machine. The owner/user is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people or property.

· Read the operator manual and study the safety and operation sections before operating the machine.

· If the operator of the machine cannot read or understand this manual, the machine owner is responsible to explain this material to the operator. This publication is available in other languages.

· Operate the machine in an open, unobstructed area under the direction of an experienced operator.

· Operator practice is required to learn the moving, stopping, turning and other operating characteristics of the machine.

Operate Safely

· Inspect machine before you operate. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure guards and shields are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments before you operate.

· Check before each use that operator presence controls are functioning correctly. Test safety systems. Do not operate unless they are functioning correctly.

· Do not misuse the ProGator® Utility Vehicle, it is a utility vehicle not a recreation vehicle.

· Sit on the center of the seat and keep both feet within the foot platform perimeter. Clean foot platform if dirty, and remove any debris from around foot controls.

· Check for debris or refuse in the battery storage compartment, especially around brake linkage which attaches to axle housing on each side of the transaxle.

· Check brake action before beginning vehicle operation. Adjust or service the brakes as necessary.

· If you hit an object, stop and inspect the machine. Make repairs before you operate. Keep machine and attachments properly maintained and in good working order.

· To provide adequate braking ability and traction, do not tow any attachment or loaded trailer unless the utility vehicle cargo box is loaded.

· Inspect vehicle before operating. Be sure hardware is tight. Repair or replace damaged, badly worn, or missing parts. Be sure guards and shields are in good condition and fastened in place. Make any necessary adjustments before operating.

· Keep people and pets out of the work area. Stop the vehicle if anyone enters the area. If an object is hit, stop and inspect the vehicle for damage. Make repairs before operating. Keep the vehicle properly maintained and in good working order.

· This vehicle is not intended for use on highways or public roadways. It is to be used for off-road use only.

· Do not wear radio or music headphones while operating the vehicle. Safe operation requires your full attention.

· Be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. Make sure to stop blades before crossing roads or sidewalks. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. Be careful of traffic when operating near roadways.

Parking Safely

7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator's station.

Use Hand Holds

Hand holds (A) are provided for operator and passenger balance when driving over rough terrain. Use dash bar and side rails on seats for stability.

Use Seat Belt Properly

Use a seat belt when you operate with a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) or cab to minimize the chance of injury from an accident, such as an overturn.

Protect Children and Prevent Accidents

· Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. Stay alert to the presence of children.

· If the vehicle is equipped with a cargo box, never carry children in the cargo box area. Do not allow children to ride in a utility vehicle cargo box or on any attachment. Do not tow children in a cart or trailer.

· Use extra care when coming to blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block vision.

· Before backing or turning, look behind and around the utility vehicle for children.

· Be alert at all times, drive forward and in reverse carefully. People, especially children, can move quickly into an area of operation.

· Back carefully. Look behind the vehicle, especially for children, before backing up.

· Misuse and recreational riding can lead to accidents, severe bodily injury or death.

Avoid Tipping

Accidents resulting in serious injury or death can occur from tipping the utility vehicle. Observe the following practices to help prevent accidents:

· Do not misuse this utility vehicle. This utility vehicle is not designed for recreational riding.

· Never allow riders in the cargo box or other areas where seats are not provided.

· Drive very slowly when turning. Sharp turns could cause the utility vehicle to tip over.

· Do not overload vehicle and avoid shifting loads. Reduce load when operating over rough or hilly terrain.

· Stay alert for holes, rocks, loose terrain, wet or slippery surfaces and other hidden hazards in the terrain.

· Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or downhill. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes.

· When descending a hill, remove foot from accelerator and apply brakes to reduce speed and maintain control.

Stay Clear Of Rotating Drivelines

Keep Riders Off Vehicle

· Seating is provided for operator and one passenger. No riders are allowed in cargo box or anywhere else on vehicle.

· Riders on vehicle are subject to injury such as being struck by foreign objects or being thrown off of the vehicle and severely injured or killed.

· Riders affect the operators ability to control the vehicle as well as its center of gravity. Also, riders could obstruct the operator's view resulting in the vehicle being operated in an unsafe manner.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

· Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating the mower.

· Wear a suitable protective device such as earplugs. Loud noise can cause impairment or loss of hearing.

· Do not wear radio or music headphones. Safe service and operation requires your full attention.

Driving Safely on Public Roads

Avoid personal injury or death resulting from a collision with another vehicle on public roads:

· Use safety lights and devices. Slow moving machines when driven on public roads are hard to see, especially at night.

· Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.

· Whenever driving on public roads, use flashing warning lights and turn signals according to local regulations. Extra flashing warning lights may need to be installed.

Avoid High Pressure Fluids

· Hydraulic hoses and lines can fail due to physical damage, kinks, age, and exposure. Check hoses and lines regularly. Replace damaged hoses and lines.

· Hydraulic fluid connections can loosen due to physical damage and vibration. Check connections regularly. Tighten loose connections.

· Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure.

· Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard. Protect hands and body from high pressure fluids.

· If an accident occurs, see a doctor immediately. Any fluid injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours or gangrene may result. Doctors unfamiliar with this type of injury should reference a knowledgeable medical source. Such information is available from Deere & Company Medical Department in Moline, Illinois, U.S.A. Information may be obtained in the United States and Canada only by calling 1-800-822-8262.

Transport Safely

· Use safety lights and devices. Slow moving vehicles when driven on public roads are hard to see, especially at night. Avoid personal injury or death resulting from a collision with a vehicle.

· Flashing warning lights are recommended whenever driving on public roads to increase visibility. Extra flashing warning lights may need to be installed.

Practice Safe Maintenance

· Never lubricate, service, or adjust machine while it is moving. Keep safety devices in place and in working condition. Keep hardware tight.

· Keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from any moving parts, to prevent them from getting caught.

· Lower attachments to the ground before servicing machine. Disengage all power and stop the engine. Lock park brake and remove the key. Let machine cool.

· Before servicing the machine, carefully release pressure from any components with stored energy, such as hydraulic components.

· Keep all parts in good condition and properly installed. Fix damage immediately. Replace worn or broken parts. Replace all worn or damaged safety and instruction decals.

· To prevent fires, remove any buildup of grease, oil, or debris from the machine, especially the engine compartment.

· Charge batteries in an open, well-ventilated area, away from sparks. Unplug battery charger before connecting or disconnecting from the battery. Use insulated tools.

· Do not modify machine or safety devices. Unauthorized modifications may impair its function and safety.

· Do not wear radio or music headphones while servicing the machine. Safe service requires your full attention.

Handling Waste Product and Chemicals

· Waste products, such as, used oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, and batteries, can harm the environment and people.

· See your local Recycling Center or John Deere distributor to learn how to recycle or get rid of waste products.

· A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides specific details on chemical products: physical and health hazards, safety procedures, and emergency response techniques. The seller of the chemical products used with your machine is responsible for providing the MSDS for that product.

Prevent Fires

· Never remove fuel cap, or add fuel with engine running or hot. Allow engine to cool for several minutes.

· Never store equipment with fuel in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

· To reduce fire hazard, keep engine free of grass, leaves, or excessive grease.

Handling Fuel Safely

Fuel and fuel vapors are highly flammable:

· Do not refuel machine while you smoke, when machine is near an open flame or sparks, or when engine is running. Stop engine and allow to cool before filling.

· Never fill fuel tank or drain fuel from a machine in an enclosed area. Fill fuel tank outdoors.

· Do not store machine with fuel in tank in a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

· Prevent fire and explosion caused by static electric discharge. Use only non-metal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriter's Laboratory (U.L.) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter.

· Static electric discharge can ignite gasoline vapors in an ungrounded fuel container. Remove the fuel container from the bed of a vehicle or the trunk of a car and place on the ground away from the vehicle before filling. Keep nozzle in contact with container opening while filling.

· When practical, remove equipment from trailers or truck beds and refuel them on the ground. If this is not possible, use a portable, plastic fuel container to refuel equipment on a truck bed or trailer.

· For gasoline engines, do not use gas with methanol. Methanol is harmful to your health and to the environment.

Tire Safety

· Do not attempt to mount a tire without the proper equipment and experience to perform the job.

· Always maintain the correct tire pressure. Do not inflate the tires above the recommended pressure. Never weld or heat a wheel and tire assembly. The heat can cause an increase in air pressure resulting in a tire explosion. Welding can structurally weaken or deform the wheel.

· When inflating tires, use a clip-on chuck and extension hose long enough to allow you to stand to one side and not in front of or over the tire assembly.

· Check tires for low pressure, cuts, bubbles, damaged rims or missing lug bolts and nuts.

Using the Lift Cylinder Safety Support


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! · Do not perform a service function under a raised attachment without the lift cylinder safety support properly installed. · Empty all material from any attachment before servicing the vehicle.

Installing:

4. Remove safety support (A) from stored position in the rear of the vehicle on the right side.

5. Install safety support onto the lift cylinder rod (B). Be sure the lift cylinder rod is seated properly between the safety support rubber grommets (C).

Removing:

Attachments

· Traction is reduced without an attachment installed. Operate only on level ground and slowly without an attachment.

Check Wheel Hardware

· A serious accident could occur causing serious injury if wheel hardware is not tight.

· Check wheel hardware tightness often during the first 100 hours of operation.