Ferris HydroWalk DDS48 Operator's Manual - Caution

Safety Rules & Information

23. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,

trees or other objects that may obscure vision.

24. To reduce fire hazard, keep unit free of grass, leaves

& excess oil. Do not stop or park over dry leaves,

grass or combustible materials.

25. The engine in this unit is not factory equipped with a

spark arrester. It is a violation of California Public

Resource Code Section 4442 to use or operate the

engine on or near any forest-covered, brush-covered,

or grass-covered land unless the exhaust system is

equipped with a spark arrester meeting any applica-

ble local or state laws. Other states or federal area

may have similar laws.

26. OSHA regulations may require the use of hearing

protection when exposed to sound levels greater

than 85 dBA for an 8 hour time period.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-

over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death.

All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the

slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not drive on it.

Do

1. Mow across slopes, not up and down.

2. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

3. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain

could overturn the unit. Tall grass can hide obsta-

cles.

4. Use slow speed. Choose a slow speed so that you

will not have to stop or change speed while on the

slope.

5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attach-

ments. These can change the stability of the unit.

6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual.

Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

7. See your authorized dealer for recommendations of

available weights to improve stability.

Do Not

1. Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If

tires lose traction (i.e. machine stops forward motion

on a slope), disengage the blade(s) (PTO) and drive

slow off the slope.

2. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,

turn slowly and gradually uphill, if possible. Never

mow down slopes.

3. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embank-

ments. The operator could lose footing or balance or

mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over

the edge of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

4. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing or trac-

tion could cause sliding.

5. Do not try to stabilize the unit by putting your foot on

the ground. (ride-on units)

6. Do not mow excessively steep slopes.

7. Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

8. Do not mow slopes if you cannot back up them.

TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS)

1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed

for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at

the hitch point.

2. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for

weight limit for towed equipment and towing on

slopes. See attaching a trailer under OPERATION.

3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equip-

ment.

4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may

cause loss of traction and loss of control.

5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.

6. Do not shift to neutral and coast down hill.

CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the

presence of children. Children are often attracted to the

unit and the mowing activity. Never assume that children

will remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and under the

watchful care of another responsible adult.

2. Be alert and turn unit off if children enter the area.

3. Before and during reverse operation, look behind and

down for small children.

4. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) off. They

may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with

safe unit operation. Children who have been given

rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing

area for another ride and be run over or backed over

by the machine.

5. Never allow children to operate the unit.

6. Use extra care when approaching blind corners,

shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure

vision.

EMISSIONS

1. Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals

known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth

defects, or other reproductive harm.

2. Look for the relevant Emissions Durability Period and

Air Index information on the engine emissions label.

CAUTION

This machine produces sound levels in

excess of 85 dBA at the operator’s ear and

can cause hearing loss though extended

periods of exposure.

Wear hearing protection when operating this

machine.

3

WARNING

Never operate on slopes greater than 17.6 percent

(10°) which is a rise of 3-1/2 feet (106 cm) vertically in

20 feet (607 cm) horizontally.

Select slow ground speed before driving onto slope.

Use extra caution when operating on slopes with rear-

mounted grass catchers.

Mow across the face of slopes, not up and down,use

caution when changing directions and DO NOT

START OR STOP ON SLOPE.