Safety

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,.

CAUTION

MX0439

AVOID INJURY

· Do not operate mower with shields removed

· Keep hands and feet away

· Stay clear of power driven parts

BEFORE SERVICING

· Shut off engine and remove key

· Lower or secure mower in raised position with service link

WARNING

MX0439

Hot surface

CAUTION

MX0439

HELP AVOID INJURY

· Operator training required

· Read operator's manual

· Know all controls

· Keep shields in place

· Maintain all safety devices

· Look behind before backing

· Keep people a safe distance away

· Stay clear of power driven parts

· Do not operate where machine could tip

· Never carry riders

· Roll-over protection structure (ROPS) should be installed unless prohibited by low clearance operation

· Use seat belt unless machine is operated without ROPS

· Before leaving machine:

- Stop engine - Set park brake - Remove key

DANGER

MX0439

To avoid injury form rotating blades and thrown objects, stay clear of deck edge and keep others away.

WARNING

MX0439

To avoid injury while transporting, keep front attachment low and avoid sharp turns with side attachments in transport position.

To avoid injury, avoid quick stops and reduce speed on slopes.

All wheels drive. To avoid injury from crushing, do not operate with only one axle raised

DANGER

MX0439

To avoid injury from rotating blades, stay clear of deck edge.

WARNING

MX0439

USE SEAT BELT

To avoid injury from crushing, always wear seat belt. Do not jump from machine.

ROLL-OVER PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE

MX0439

To maintain operator protection and ROPS certification:

· Replace damaged ROPS, do not repair or revise.

· Any alteration of ROPS must be approved by manufacturer

CERTIFICATION

Performance certified at date of manufacture to:

OSHA: 29 CFR, Part 1928, Subpart C, John Deere Mowers, Deere & Company, Moline, Illinois

Emissions Control System Certification Label (NonRoad Diesel)

MX5293

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

The emissions warranty described below 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.

Certification Label

This model has been tested and evaluated by the manufacturer and conforms to American National Standard Institute B-71.4 safety specifications for commercial turf care equipment as a ride-on turf tractor.

Operator Training Required

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

· The owner/user can prevent and is responsible for accidents or injuries occurring to themselves, other people, or property.

· Do not allow operation of the machine by untrained persons.

· Study the safety and operation sections of this manual before operating the machine.

· If the operator of the machine cannot read English, the machine owner's responsibility to explain this material to the operator. This publication is available in other languages.

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

· Learn the use of all controls.

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

Wear Appropriate Clothing

MIF

· Wear close fitting clothing and safety equipment appropriate for the job.

· 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.

Operating Safely

MIF

· 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 change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine.

· Check brake action before you operate. Adjust or service brakes as necessary.

· Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

· Never raise mower decks when blades are running.

· 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.

· Do not leave machine unattended when it is running.

· Only operate during daylight or with good artificial light.

· Slow down and be careful of traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. Stop blades before crossing roads or sidewalks. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

· Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not point it at anyone.

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

Checking Mowing Area

MIF

· Clear mowing area of objects that might be thrown. Keep people and pets out of mowing area.

· Study mowing area. Set up a safe mowing pattern. Do not mow where traction or stability is doubtful.

· Test drive area with mower lowered but not running. Slow down when you travel over rough ground.

Avoid Tipping

MIF

· Do not drive where machine could slip or tip.

· Always wear seat belt with ROPS installed.

· Stay alert for holes and other hidden hazards in the terrain.

· Keep away from drop-offs.

· Slow down before you make a sharp turn or operate on a slope.

· Transport machine with decks lowered to improve stability.

· Drive up and down a hill - not across. Be careful when you change direction on a slope.

· 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.

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.

Tire Safety

MIF

Explosive separation of a tire and rim parts can cause serious injury or death:

· 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.

Rotating Blades are Dangerous

HELP PREVENT SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENTS:

MIF

· Rotating blades can cut off arms and legs.

· Keep hands, feet and clothing away from mower deck when engine is running.

· Be alert at all times, drive forward carefully. People, especially children can move quickly into the mowing area before you know it.

· Before backing up, shut off PTO and look behind the machine carefully, especially for children.

· Do not mow in reverse.

· Shut off blades when you are not mowing.

· Do not operate machine if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

· Park machine safely before inspecting or unplugging mower or bagger.

PROTECT CHILDREN:

M73468b, M73468a

· 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 out of the area 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 machine or any attachment. Do not tow children in a cart or trailer.

Parking Safely

1. Stop machine on a level surface, not on a slope.

2. Turn off PTO switch.

3. Lower attachments to the ground.

4. Lock the park brake.

5. Stop the engine.

6. Remove the key.

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

Driving Safely on Public Roads

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

MIF

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

· 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.

Practice Safe Maintenance

MIF

· Understand service procedure before doing work. Keep area clean and dry.

· Only trained people should service the machine.

· 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.

· Disconnect battery or remove spark plug wire before making any repairs.

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

· Securely support any machine elements that must be raised for service work. Lock transport or service locks on all decks before working on machine with raised decks.

· Never run engine unless park brake is locked.

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

· Help prevent fires. Remove any buildup of grease, oil, or debris from the engine compartment and cutting units.

· Disconnect battery negative (-) cable before making adjustments on electrical systems or welding on machine.

· 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. 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 Fuel Safely

Fuel and fuel vapors are highly flammable:

MIF

· DO NOT refuel machine while you smoke, when machine is near an open flame or sparks, or when engine is running. STOP engine before removing tank cap.

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

· Prevent fires: clean oil, grease and dirt from machine. Clean up spilled fuel immediately.

· 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.

MIF

· 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.

Handling Waste Product and Chemicals

MIF

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

· DO NOT use beverage containers for waste fluids - someone may drink from them.

· See your local Recycling Center or John Deere dealer 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.

Avoid High Pressure Fluids

MIF

· 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.

Equipment moved at least once every 12 months.