SAFETY RULES ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED! TRANSPORTATION ■ Always comply with all state and local laws governing highway safety and lighting and marking requirements. ■ Never allow riders on power unit or attachment. ■ Do not operate or transport on steep slopes. ■ Use extreme care and reduce ground speed on slopes and rough terrain. Travel with attachment as close to the ground as possible. ■ Do not operate or transport equipment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consult your doctor about operating this machine while taking prescription medications.
OPERATION ■ Always sit in power unit seat when operating controls or starting engine. Securely fasten seat belt, place transmission in neutral, engage brake, and ensure all other controls are disengaged before starting power unit engine. ■ Know your controls and how to stop engine and attachment quickly in an emergency. ■ Consult local utilities before working. Know location of and avoid contacting all underground cables, pipelines, overhead wires and other hazards in working area.
■ Use extreme care when working close to fences, ditches, other obstructions, or on hillsides. ■ Keep load centered on Root Grapple and loader. Make sure all loads are secure before lifting. If lifting with the grapple and the load appears to be unstable, lower the load, open the grapple and reposition the load to attain full stability. ■ Be sure the load does not stick out too far in front of the grapple. A light load sticking out too far can have the same tipping effect as a heavy load carried in close. ■ Watch for and avoid hidden obstructions, i.e., buried pipes, rocks, concrete piers, uneven concrete slabs, stumps, etc., when operating. ■ Stop power unit and equipment immediately upon striking an obstruction. Turn off engine, remove key, inspect, and repair any damage before resuming operation. ■ Stop loader gradually when lowering or lifting loads. ■ When stacking logs, trees, or stumps, always make sure the load will not roll back toward the power unit when released from Root Grapple.
■ Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.
■ Check material to be handled, especially at old building sites or dumps. Be alert for any hazardous material that could be released by root grapple contact. If in doubt, check with professional waste haulers.
■ Keep bystanders away from equipment.
■ Do not operate or transport on steep slopes.
■ Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from equipment while engine is running. Stay clear of all moving parts.
■ When on a slope, keep the load low and proceed with extreme caution. Do not drive ACROSS a steep slope - drive straight up and down. With a LOADED attachment - face the attachment and load uphill. With an EMPTY attachment - face the attachment downhill.
■ Power unit must be equipped with ROPS or ROPS cab and seat belt. Keep seat belt securely fastened. Falling off power unit can result in death from being run over or crushed. Keep foldable ROPS system in “locked up” position at all times. ■ Never allow riders on power unit or attachment. ■ Look down and to the rear and make sure area is clear before operating in reverse.
4 Safety
■ Keep alert and watch the rear as well as the front when working with the Root Grapple. ■ Before leaving operator’s seat, lower loader and put attachment on the ground. Engage brake, stop engine, remove key, and remove seat belt.
