A sit on lawn mower can easily amputate and crush limbs such as hands and feet and cause serious burns if used incorrectly. These machines are also capable of throwing objects that can seriously injure or cause death to the operator and/or onlookers.

Therefore, it would make sense to observe the following important safety rules when using a sit on lawn mower.

  • Always read and understand the manufacturer’s instruction book.

  • Adults who are familiar with the sit on lawn mowers instructions should only be allowed to operate it.

  • Ensure that any object that can be thrown by the sit on lawn mower cutting deck, such as stones, wood, metal and childrens toys etc., are safely cleared away from the mowing area.

  • Always wear eye protection when operating, cleaning, affecting a repair or making adjustment to a sit on lawn mower.

  • Operators must always wear suitable clothing including long trousers and footwear. Never operate a machine with exposed feet or toes.

  • Be vigilant and make sure there are no people or pets in the vicinity of the mowing area. If any person or animal enters the cutting area then stop the machine immediately.

  • Passengers must never be carried on a sit on lawn mower.

  • Always be aware of the mower’s discharge outlet to prevent damage to adjacent objects such as windows, trees and plants.

  • Reduce the machine’s operating speed before turning.

  • Never leave an engine running on an unattended sit on lawn mower. Apply the parking brake, disengage the cutting blades, switch off the engine and remove the ignition key when not in use.

  • Operators must not use a sit on lawn mower when taking drugs or consuming alcohol.

  • Do not smoke when operating, cleaning or servicing a sit on lawn mower.

  • Always stop the machine’s engine before removing any attached collection bag or implement.

  • When operating a sit on lawn mower near to roads or paths, ensure there are no vehicles or pedestrians present.

  • Always mow up and down slopes and never across them.

  • Select a lower speed for the sit on lawn mower before transgressing slopes to prevent gear shifts or stopping.

  • Ensure that all movements across slopes are gradual and slow – try to prevent any sudden acceleration or quick changes in direction.

  • Be vigilant for holes, bumps, ruts or objects in the mowing area – tall grass can easily hide them.

  • Try to avoid stopping and starting on slopes. If the sit on lawn mower loses traction then disengage the cutting blades and proceed down the slope under braked control.

  • Consult the manufacturer’s instruction book to see whether the machine requires improved stability through wheel height adjustment or counterweights when transgressing slopes.

  • Always store fuel in a purpose designed containers and refuel the machine outdoors to prevent the capture and ignition of fuel vapours.

  • Never add fuel to the fuel tank when the sit on lawn mower’s engine is running or is hot.

  • Immediately replace any silencer on the machine that becomes defective.

  • When examining the sit on lawn mower for damage or when cleaning, carefully remove the high-tension lead connector(s) from the spark plug(s) and replace them when finished.

  • If the sit on law mower is equipped with more than one cutting blade, care must be taken when rotating one blade as the other blades may also turn.