Riding Lawn Mower Back-over Accidents

Backover safety feature

Each year, hundreds of small children are tragically maimed by riding lawnmowers which back up with the cutting blades turning. The children most frequently injured by back-over blade contact are ages 2 to 5. Virtually all of these accidental injuries could have been prevented if the manufacturer of the riding lawnmower had used a simple and inexpensive “No Mow In Reverse” (NMIR) safety feature. NMIR safety features have been designed into all MTD/Cub Cadet riding lawnmowers since 1983. John Deere and Toro began installing NMIR safety features in their lawnmowers in 1998. By 2001 riding lawnmowers manufactured by MTD/Cub Cadet, John Deere, Toro, Snapper, and Kubota were equipped with NMIR safety features. Sears Craftsman, Husqvarna and Murray did not equip their riding lawnmowers with NMIR safety features until approximately September, 2004.

Riding Lawn Mower Rollover Accidents

Mower equipped with rollover bar and lap restraint

Every year, individuals are tragically injured and even killed by foreseeable riding lawn mower rollover accidents. These accidents usually involve victims being crushed by the overturned mower. When riding mowers are used on uneven ground they can become unstable and roll over. Virtually all of these accidents could be prevented by a roll bar and lap restraint, and yet these rollover protection systems (ROPS) are not standard equipment on many mowers.