9
Clear Mowing Area
Mower blades can throw rocks and other objects with enough force to
cause serious injury. Before mowing, carefully inspect the area and
remove all sticks, stones, pieces of wire, and other loose objects.
Never operate the blades over gravel.
NOTICE
Striking objects with the spinning blades can cause severe engine
damage, which is not covered by the
Keep Shields in Place
Guards and shields are designed to protect you from being hit by
thrown objects and from hot engine parts and moving components.
For your safety and the safety of others, keep all shields in place
when the engine is running.
Refuel With Care
Gasoline is extremely flammable and gasoline vapor can explode.
Refuel only outdoors, in a well-ventilated area, with the engine OFF.
Never smoke near gasoline, and keep other flames and sparks away.
Always store gasoline in an approved container.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wearing protective clothing will reduce your risk of injury. Long pants
and eye protection reduce the risk of injuries from thrown objects.
Sturdy shoes with aggressive soles will help protect your feet and give
you better traction on slopes or uneven ground.
Stop the Engine When Not Mowing
If you need to leave the mower for any reason, even just to inspect the
lawn ahead, stop the engine by releasing the blade control lever.
Avoid Slopes
Avoid steep slopes of more than
20
°.
Mow across slopes, not up and
down. Be careful when changing
direction. Mowing on a slope
when the grass is damp or wet
could cause you to slip, fall, and
lose control of the mower.
NOTICE
Mowing on steep slopes can
starve the engine of oil, causing
engine damage that is not covered by the
Keep all four wheels on the ground, and be careful to avoid losing
your footing and your control of the mower. Keep a firm grip on the
handlebar, and walk, never run, with the mower. Be very careful when
mowing uneven or rough ground.
If stuck, do not kick or shove the mower with your foot. Use the
handlebar to control the mower.
Avoid Obstacles
Gravel, loose stones, and landscaping material can be picked up by
the mower and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. The best way to prevent
potential injury from thrown objects is to release the blade control
lever to stop the blades before reaching areas with gravel, loose
stones, or landscaping material.
Be careful when mowing over obstacles that stick up above the
surface of the lawn such as sprinkler heads, paving, edging, raised
tree roots, etc.
If the blades hit something, or if the mower starts to vibrate, stop the
engine immediately, disconnect the spark plug cap, and check for
damage (
). Striking objects may damage the blades, bend the
crankshaft, and/or break the mower deck or other components.
Vibration usually indicates serious trouble.
NOTICE
The
“DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY” on
does not
cover parts damaged by accidental impact collision.
Operating the Controls
Throttle Lever
For best cut quality, always mow
with the throttle lever in the FAST
position. When the blades rotate
at the preset fast speed, it
creates a strong fan action that
lifts and cuts grass more
efficiently.
Do not try to increase the preset
engine speed; the blades could
fracture and come apart. The
additional vibration may result in
other damage that is not covered
by the Distributor's Limited Warranty.
Blade Control Lever
The blade control lever must
be pushed forward against
the handlebar to start and run
the engine. The blades start
to rotate when the lever is
pushed forward against the
handlebar and the recoil
starter grip is pulled.
Continue to hold the lever
fully against the handlebar.
This will keep the engine and
blades rotating smoothly and
prevent premature wear to the flywheel brake system.
Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and stop blade
rotation whenever you need to leave the mower, empty the grass bag,
or approach the engine or mower deck for any reason.
DANGER
The blades are sharp and spin at high speed. If you come
in contact with a spinning blade, it will cut you severely
and can amputate fingers and toes.
• Wear protective footwear.
• Keep you hands and feet away from the mower deck
while the engine is running.
• Stop the engine before performing any adjustment,
inspection, or maintenance.
WARNING
A worn, cracked, or damaged blade can break, and
pieces of the damaged blade can become dangerous
projectiles.
Blades thrown from the mower could seriously hurt or kill
someone.
Inspect the blades regularly (see
), and do not
operate the mower with a worn or damaged blade.
FAST
BLADE CONTROL LEVER
