Safety Alert for Buyers of Used Commercial Zero Tu...( Look Up To M...),Health

Look Up To Make Sure There's a Rollover Bar Above Your Head

Bloomington, MN (Vocus) March 26, 2009 -- The Toro Company is encouraging buyers of previously owned commercial zero-radius-turn (ZRT) mowers to check that each unit is properly equipped with an overhead rollover protection system (ROPS). Similar to a roll bar on a race car, an overhead ROPS and the use of an accompanying seatbelt can prevent an operator from being thrown from a machine or pinned under the mower should it overturn.

The unlimited maneuverability of ZRTs simplifies trimming neatly around flower beds, mailboxes or other obstacles. They can zip across the yard at a speed of up to 12 mph on straight-aways and are safe when operated properly. However, utilizing any commercial-sized mower, which typically is larger and heavier than consumer models, requires a few precautions to ensure the safety of the operator, including the use of an overhead ROPS. Without ROPS, the operator compartment -- and more importantly, the operator -- remains unprotected from the weight of the machine, which can surpass 1,700 pounds on some commercial models.

"When a homeowner buys any brand of a used commercial ZRT mower without rollover protection, the first thing they should do is get it scheduled into a dealer to get a ROPS installed," reveals Sam Steel, a Penn State University safety expert and former National Safety Council official.

Steel says some manufacturers offer a free ROPS and seatbelt installation on older models, and homeowners who purchase used machines should be sure to participate in these retrofit programs.

Daniel Lent, who re
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