Husqvarna Z 242F Operator's Manual

8SAFETY• Disengage blades when not mowing. Shut offengine and wait for all parts to come to a fullstop before cleaning the machine, removingthe grass catcher or unclogging the dischargeguard.• Do not operate the machine while under theinfluence of alcohol or drugs.• Look for traffic when operating near or goingacross roadways.• Use more care when loading or removing themachine into a trailer or truck.• Always wear eye protection when operatingmachine.WARNING! When using the machine,approved personal protective equipment mustbe used. Personal protective equipment cannotremove the risk of injury but it will reduce thedegree of injury if an accident does occur.Speak to your retailer for aid in choosing theright equipment.• Wear correct Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) while operating this machine, including(at a minimum) sturdy footwear, eye protection,and hearing protection. Do not mow in shortsand/or footwear with open toes.• Data shows that operators age 60 years andabove are involved in a large percentage ofriding mower-related injuries. These operatorsmust evaluate if they can safely operate theriding mower sufficiently to protect themselvesand others from serious injury.• Obey the manufacturer’s recommendation forwheel weights or counterweights.• Keep machine free of grass, leaves or otherdebris buildup which can touch hot exhaust orengine parts and burn. Do not let the mowerdeck plow leaves or other debris that can causea buildup to occur. Clean oil or fuel spillagebefore operating or storing the machine.• Let machine cool before storage.Personal Safety Equipment• Make sure that firstaid equipment isnear at hand whenusing the machine.• Do not use themachine whenbarefoot.• Always wearprotective shoes or boots. Steel toe caps arerecommended.• Always wear approved protective glasses or afull visor when assembling or driving.• Always wear gloves when handling the blades.• Do not wear loose clothing that can becomecaught in moving parts.• Use ear protectors to avoid damage to hearing.Slope OperationSlopes are a major cause related to loss ofcontrol and tip-over accidents, which can causesevere injury or death. Operation on slopesrequires more care. If you cannot back up theslope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.• Mow up and downslopes (10 degreesmaximum), notacross.• Look for holes, ruts,bumps, rocks, orother hidden objects.Uneven terraincould overturn the machine. Tall grass can hideobstacles.• Select a low ground speed so it will not benecessary to stop while on the slope.• Do not mow on wet grass. Tires can losetraction.• Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. Ifthe tires lose traction, disengage the blades andcontinue slowly straight down the slope.• Move slowly andgradually on slopes.Do not makesudden changes inspeed or direction,which could causemachine to roll over.• Use more care whileoperating machine with grass catchers or otherattachments; the stability of the machine can beeffected.• Do not use on steep slopes.• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting afoot on the ground.• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, orembankments. The machine could suddenlyroll over if a wheel is over the edge or the edgecaves in.WARNING! Do not drive up or down hillswith slopes greater than 10 degrees. Do notdrive across slopes.