With summer in full swing, John Deere offered some tips to keep professional landscape contractors safe on hot, long days.

The company says operators taking shortcuts on these tough days can lead to safety risks.

Here are some things the manufacturer suggests operators avoid to stay safe on mowers this summer:

• Disregarding slope and edge precautions—Slow down and use extra care. Review the operator’s manual for each machine in your fleet and travel in the recommended direction on hillsides. When bagging, install the proper front ballast to help counterbalance the total weight of the bagger. And, of course, use caution while operating near drop-offs.
• Not using the Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS)—Never attempt to repair a damaged or altered ROPS. To maintain the manufacturer’s certification of the structure, landscape contractors should have the ROPs replaced by an equipment dealer.
• Seatbelt neglect—Use a seat belt when operating with the folding ROPS in the upright position to minimize chance of injury from an accident, such as an overturn.
• Improper mounting and dismounting—When mounting and dismounting the machine, do so from the left side of the machine using the step or the footplate. Park the machine safely before dismounting. Do not mount or dismount the machine from the front.
• Raising mower chutes—Do not mow without discharge chute or entire grass catcher in place.