Reduce the Risk of a Rollover on Your New Mower
Thinking about trading in the old push mower for a riding mower? Before you visit Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor equipment in Madison and Biloxi, Mississippi, serving our customers in the Mobile, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi, areas, keep the following tips in mind to help prevent a rollover accident with your new mower.
Operate Up and Down Slopes
Operating your riding mower sideways along a slope is a sure-fire way to turn over. If you operate it up and down slopes, you have more fore-and-aft wheel spacing than you do with side-to-side. This leads to more stability and security as you move. You want to be moving with gravity, not against it.
Also, try to always keep the nose of your riding mower pointed downhill. Pointing it uphill will cause a torque reaction on the drive tires that can lift the front end up and cause a rollover. Aiming downhill can generate some traction and prevent a rollover.
Quickly Steer Downhill When There Is a Problem
Whenever you encounter a problem, stabilize your riding mower by steering it downhill. There will be some situations in which you simply cannot mow up and down a slope. When you sense any instability, quickly steer downhill. If your mower is starting to feel unsteady, never turn it uphill because that will cause it to become even more unsteady.
Be Mindful of Holes and Bumps
Always be aware of where holes and bumps are located, and do your best to avoid them, especially while going up and down slopes. Sinking a wheel into a hole or zipping over a bump can cause a rollover. Looking for rough areas in the ground when you are on a slope can prevent you from overturning.
Empty Your Grasscatcher
Your grasscatcher adds weight to your riding mower and can offset its center of gravity. Be sure to empty your grasscatcher before you head out over any slopes. Keeping it empty or close to empty can keep the riding mower more planted on the ground.
Never Use Your Foot to Stabilize the Riding Mower
Whatever happens, never under any circumstances use your foot to try to stabilize your riding mower. You could end up getting your foot cut by the mower blade. Again, if you feel like your mower is becoming unstable, steer it downhill to offset the risk of a rollover. Keep your feet planted where they are supposed to be on the mower.
Rollover protective structures (ROPS) can greatly improve your riding mower's stability and safety. Ask us about the kinds of ROPS that can be added to your new riding mower for enhanced safety measures. Visit us in Madison and Biloxi, Mississippi at Ben Nelson Golf and Outdoor Equipment where we also serve residents of Mobile, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi.