Using a ride on mower.
Make sure you select the right ride on mower that will
suit your gardening needs. ride on mowers have various attachments
that will handle a number of different gardening tasks, but make
sure the attachment is designed for the task you are about to
put it to.
Ride on mowers will
nearly always come with a rotary lawn mower on their underside.
They will still take attachments. Depending on the size of your
garden you may wish to invest in a separate garden tractor without
the underside rotary mower, and a wider range of attachments.
Ride
on mowers
are designed to be strong enough for use with plows, tillers,
snow blowers, etc. If lawn mowing is the only task, then ride
on (less powerful than ride on mowers) or smaller, rear-engine
riding mowers may be more suitable.
Look for safety features
when purchasing new equipment. For example, some ride on mowers
cannot be started if the blades are engaged or the mover is in
gear. Some machines have weight/pressure sensitive systems that
detect when the operator gets off the seat or machine and will
shut off the moving blades.
Before using a ride on mower
A/ As with all garden machinery,
read the instructions in the manufacturer's operating manual.
B/ Check the oil level and
refuel the engine before starting work while the engine is cool.
If refuelling is required before the job is completed, wait for
the engine to cool if there is a likelihood that fuel can spill
on the hot engine.
C/ Make sure that shields,
guards, and other safety devices are in place and working properly.
D/ Replace damaged parts
or guards. Keep the garden tractor in good working condition.
E/ Wear close-fitting clothing.
Head protection if necessary.
Operating a ride on mower
A/ Ensure that the ride
on mower is in neutral gear and that any attachment clutches
are disengaged before starting the engine or motor.
B/ If the ride on mower
is started inside a garage or other enclosure, it should be moved
outside to prevent a build up of carbon monoxide. Always think
garden safety.
C/ Always check behind you
before you put the ride on mower in reverse. This might
sound obvious but children and pets will be attracted to your
new piece of garden machinery.
D/ Ensure that the brakes
work properly and that the gas throttle is in good working order.
E/ Drive the ride on mower
up and down slopes rather than sideways for greater stability.
Reduce speeds on slopes, sharp curves, and muddy areas.
F/ Before adjusting the
Westwood ride on mower or attachments, turn off machine,
shift to neutral gear, set the brakes or take other precautions
to prevent the equipment from moving, wait for all moving or rotating
parts to stop, and disconnect spark plug wire, if accessible.
G/ Turn off the ride
on mower and remove the key when the machine is left unattended.
If attachments are attached, disengage the power take off and
lower attachments.
H/ Let engine idle a few
minutes before shutting down. Have a qualified mechanic regularly
service the ride on mower. Contact Gardening Tools Direct for
further advise.
The 'Don'ts' of ride on mower
use
A/ Do not leave a ride on
mower unattended unless the power is off and the ignition key
is removed.
B/ Do not ride on the ride
on mower roof.
C/ Do not allow other people
to ride on the ride on mower.
D/ Avoid sharp, fast turns;
holes; ditches; embankments; etc. that may cause equipment to
overturn.
Safety first with Westwood
ride on mowers for mowing
A/ Always read instructions
in the manufacturer's operating manual.
B/ Before mowing, check
the area and remove any debris, trash, fallen branches, etc. that
could interfere with the operation of the ride on mower.
C/ Ensure that children
do not remain in the area while you are lawn mowing.
D/ Stop the equipment the
ride on mower and inspect for damage if the mower blade
or other attachment hits a hard object. If damaged it should be
repaired or replaced before starting the equipment again.
E/ Turn off the Westwood
ride on mower, remove the ignition key, shift to neutral
gear, set the brakes or take other precautions to prevent the
equipment from moving, and wait for all moving or rotating parts
to stop before unclogging the equipment, emptying grass-catching
attachments, or doing any other work on the machine.
