| Safety First. What You Should Remember When Using Your Ride On Mower |
| Articles - Lifestyle |
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Driving a ride on mower is very much like driving a car. You have to pay attention. You have to consider other people and the environment around you. You have to stay within the safety confines of the vehicle. And you have to treat the vehicle with respect. As with a car, there are dangers, which are compounded on a ride on mower by the necessary inclusion of rotating blades. Safety risks can include; Risk of a body part coming into contact with the blades. Risk of being accidentally run down. This could happen inadvertently through backing and reversing over something you 'did not see' or actually running over a foot or other body part. Risk of being hit by a flying object , flung off the blades and causing injury to eyes, or bruising or breaks to the body. Risk of tipping the ride on mower over on a hill, slope, unstable ground or in tight corner. Reduce your risk factor to the above by paying attention to these safety guidelines.
Driving a ride on mower is very much like driving a car. You have to pay attention. You have to consider other people and the environment around you. You have to stay within the safety confines of the vehicle. And you have to treat the vehicle with respect. As with a car, there are dangers, which are compounded on a ride on mower by the necessary inclusion of rotating blades. Safety risks can include; Risk of a body part coming into contact with the blades. Risk of being accidentally run down. This could happen inadvertently through backing and reversing over something you 'did not see' or actually running over a foot or other body part. Risk of being hit by a flying object , flung off the blades and causing injury to eyes, or bruising or breaks to the body. Risk of tipping the ride on mower over on a hill, slope, unstable ground or in tight corner. Reduce your risk factor to the above by paying attention to these safety guidelines. Firstly, make sure you read your safety manual and that the nuances of your ride on mower are well known to you. Be familiar with the basic safety checks. Is there a seat belt? If so make sure it is working. Determine that electronic safety switches such as a 'dead mans' switch is working and enabled. Ensure guards, shields, blades and belts are installed correctly and securely. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and sufficient oil before starting. Do not use your ride on mower if it appears faulty. Get it serviced by a qualified professional before use. When starting your ride on mower always be sure that the transmission is out of gear and mower blade clutch disengaged before starting. Stay right away from moving machine parts. Start the mower away from children and animals, and on an easy section of grass. Starting the mower in the middle of thick grass might disguise hidden objects which could be flung, or break your machine. Whilst mowing, keep the speed you are traveling at reasonable, so that you stay in control of your ride on mower at all times. Devise a plan to mow that is safe and sees you tackle slopes in an up/down style rather than traversing the face. Be ware that most ride on mowers can only safely perform on slopes of 11 degrees or under. Certain professional models can traverse slopes up to 15 degrees. Zero Turn ride on mowers can also be hazardous on slopes as independent wheels require speed adjustments when turning. Rutted ground can be an opportunity for rolling a ride on mower so avoid this. If grass is long then ensure ground is stable before mowing. Don't drive over rubbish or debris and expect mower to cope as this could cause the object to be flung from the mower. Instead dismount the mower safely and remove it. Once you have finished mowing, stop on a flat surface and put the ride on mower in park. Prior to dismounting the machine put the cutting deck in the transportation position (raise). Make sure the parking brake is locked. Turn off the engine and take the keys out of the ignition. Avoid making any adjustments to the machine while engine is hot and be certain park brake is secured. This includes care taken when refueling. A good clean after use is essential to keep the ride on mower in good safe working order. For cleaning around the engine and air filter use an air compressor. A hose can be used on the cutting deck to remove grass build up. Eliminate accidents and keep the work area and cleaning station tidy. Store on flat ground, with park brake on and ignition keys removed. Keep your ride on mower in a shed to ensure it's long life and protection against rust and corrosion. It's also good to keep keys out of reach and/or storage area locked to ensure your ride on mower is not used by anyone without your intention. DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. Want to discover more about safety ride on mowers? Then visit Mike Welch's site on how to select the best ride on mower for your needs. |