3
Safe Operation Prac tic es for Pe des tri-
an-Controlled Rotary Lawnmowers
IMPORTANT:
This cutting machine is ca pa ble
of am pu tat ing hands and feet and throwing
objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instruc-
tions could result in serious injury or death.
I. Training
• Read the instructions carefully. Be fa mil iar
with the con trols and the proper use of the
equipment.
• Never allow children or people un fa mil iar with
the ins truc tions to use the lawnmower. Local
regulations may restrict the age of the opera-
tor.
• Never mow while people, especially children,
or pets are nearby.
• Keep in mind that the operator or user is re-
sponsible for accidents or hazards occurring
to other people or their property.
II. Preparation
• While mowing, always wear sub stan tial foot-
wear and long trousers. Do not operate the
equipment when barefoot or wearing open
sandals.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equip-
ment is to be used and remove all objects
which may be thrown by the machine.
• WARNING - Petrol is highly flammable.
- Store fuel in containers specifically de-
signed for this pur pose.
- Refuel outdoors only and do not smoke
while re fu el ing.
- Add fuel before starting the engine. Never
remove the cap of the fuel tank or add
petrol while the engine is running or when
the en gine is hot.
- If petrol is spilled, do not attempt to start
the engine but move the ma chine away
from the area of spillage and avoid cre at ing
any source of ig ni tion until petrol va pors
have dis si pat ed.
- Replace all fuel tanks and container caps
se cure ly.
• Replace faulty silencers.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see
that the blades, blade bolts and cutter as-
sembly are not worn or dam aged. Replace
worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to
pre serve balance.
• On multi-bladed machines, take care as
rotating one blade can cause other blades to
rotate.
III. Operation
• Do not operate the engine in a confined
space where dan ger ous carbon mon ox ide
fumes can collect.
• Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
• Avoid operating the equipment in wet grass,
where feasible.
• Always be sure of your footing on slopes.
• Walk, never run.
• For wheeled rotary machines, mow across
the face of slopes, never up and down.
• Exercise extreme caution when chang ing
direction on slopes.
• Do not mow excessively steep slopes.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or pull-
ing the lawnmower towards you.
• Stop the blade if the lawnmower has to be
tilted for trans por ta tion when cross ing sur-
faces other than grass, and when transport-
ing the lawnmower to and from the area to
be mowed.
• Never operate the lawnmower with defec-
tive guards, or without safety de vic es, for
example deflectors and/or grass catchers, in
place.
• Do not change the engine governor settings
or overspeed the engine. Op er at ing the
engine at excessive speed may increase the
hazard of personal injury.
• Disengage all blade and drive clutches be-
fore starting the engine.
• Start the engine or switch on the motor care-
fully according to instructions and with feet
well away from the blade.
• Do not tilt the lawnmower when starting the
engine or switch ing on the motor, except if
the lawnmower has to be tilted for starting.
In this case, do not tilt more than absolutely
nec es sary and lift only the part which is away
from the op er a tor.
• Do not start the engine when standing in
front of the discharge chute.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis charge
opening at all times.
• Never pick up or carry lawnmower while the
engine is running.
• Stop the engine and disconnect the spark
plug wire:
- before cleaning blockages or un clog ging
chute;
- before checking, cleaning or work ing on
the lawnmower;
- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the
lawnmower for damage and make repairs
before re start ing and op er at ing the lawn-
mower;
- if the lawnmower starts to vibrate abnor-
mally (check im me di ate ly).
• Stop the engine:
- whenever you leave the lawnmower;
- before refuelling.
• Reduce the throttle setting during en gine
shut down and, if the engine is provided with
a shut-off valve, turn the fuel off at the conclu-
sion of mowing.
• WARNING: CHILDREN CAN BE INJURED BY
THIS EQUIPMENT. The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends that children be a
minimum of 12 year of age before operating
a pedestrian controlled lawn mower and a
minimum of 16 years of age before operating
a riding lawn mower.
• When loading or unloading this machine,
do not exceed the maximum recommended
operation angle of 15°.
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) while operating this machine, including
(at a minimum) sturdy footwear, eye protec-
tion, and hearing protection. Do not mow in
shorts and/or, open toed footwear.
• Vibration levels reported in this manual are
not adjusted for worker exposure to vibra-
tions. Employers should calculate the 8-hour
equivalent exposure values (Aw) and limit
worker exposure accordingly.
