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Cutting with Caution
By Bill Klutho, John Deere’s
Grounds Keeping Guru
Mower Safety
* Read the manual. Your owner's manual
provides safety tips, operating procedures and maintenance schedules
for your lawn mower.
* Check all safety guards and shields.
Mowers have safety features built in to help protect the operator.
Make sure safety features are in good repair and learn their
functions.
* Know the equipment. Inspect your mower
before and after cutting the lawn. Knowing how your mower ideally
works and looks will help you see or hear any possible damage. Also,
be sure to securely fasten all attachments.
* Wear proper clothing. Mowing your lawn
calls for a specific outfit to maximize safety: long pants, eye
protection, tucked-in shirt, work boots with traction, no loose
jewelry or clothes, heavy gloves when handling blades.
* Keep children away from mower. Outdoor
power equipment and kids just don’t mix. Children should be inside
or under another adult’s supervision while you mow. Before you start
cutting, inspect and clear the lawn of children's toys, tools or any
other debris that could get thrown by mower blades.
Mowing Tips
* Mowing hills with a walk-behind mower.
When mowing a slope with a push-mower, move from side to side
(horizontally).
* Mowing hills with a riding mower or
tractor. When seated on a lawn tractor or riding mower, John Deere
recommends mowing from side to side (horizontally). Starting from
the bottom and working upwards to the top allows the operator to
turn the mower upwards as he/she switches directions. Turning the
mower downwards encourages the machine to pull towards the bottom of
the hill and should be avoided.
* Try not to mow in reverse. Reverse
mowing with a walk-behind increases the chance of your feet slipping
under the mower deck. When using ride-on equipment, always look
behind you before and while you are backing up.
* Eliminate dangerous areas. If the hill
is too risky to mow, consider covering that section with a ground
cover or natural area to eliminate a mowing hazard.
Mower Maintenance
* Clean the mower. Clear built-up debris
from the mower deck after you mow. If something gets caught in the
discharge chute, be sure to shut the engine off and make sure the
blades are stopped before trying to clear it. Disconnect the spark
plug wire and use a tool or stick to clear the clog. Never clear the
deck or chute with your hands, and never place your hands or feet
near the blades.
* Perform regular mower maintenance.
Follow the recommended maintenance guide in your owner's manual.
Your manual will detail schedules and tasks for basic maintenance
like changing the oil, replacing the air filter and sharpening the
blades. Always perform maintenance with the machine off, the engine
cool and the spark plug disconnected.
* Have a professional perform annual
maintenance. Tune up your mower and have major repairs done by
taking it to a professional equipment dealer. Or let one come to you
-- John Deere offers a Ready to Mow service that comes to your home
to perform basic mower maintenance.
Following these basic tips will help you
have an enjoyable, safe time outdoors. Mowers, start your engines!
For more information, visit
www.johndeere.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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