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2
Safe
Operation
Practices
General Operation
1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and
follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s)
before operation. Keep this manual in a safe place for future
and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.
2. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of
this machine before operating it.
3. This machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times.
Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass.
Do not use it for any other purpose.
4. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the instructions in this manual and should be
trained and supervised by a adult.
5. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules
of safe operation should be allowed to use this machine.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up
and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward
roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharg-
ing material against a wall or obstruction which may cause
discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.
8. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay
in the operator zone behind the handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from the mower
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
9. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation
and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes.
Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the
eyes.
10. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks
and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs
and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never operate this
machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g.
canvas) shoes.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting
deck. Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do
not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle
immediately.
14. Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If
you must back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first
look down and behind to avoid tripping and then follow these
steps:
a. Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you.
d. Repeat these steps as needed.
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5. Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
16. Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units so
equipped while starting engine.
17. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt
to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device
inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with
the rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate easily
in both directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
18. Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your
footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you
feel you are losing your footing, release the blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three seconds.
19. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Walk, never run.
20. Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
21. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is gener-
ally a warning of trouble.
22. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete
stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute.
The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.
23. Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover,
grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective
devices in place and working. Never operate mower with
damaged safety devices. Failure to do so, can result in personal
injury.
24. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
25. Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while
the engine is running.
26. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
27. When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then
pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull
hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken
bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
28. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care
and good judgment. Call customer assistance for the name of
your nearest servicing dealer.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can
result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution.
If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use
the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes
before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is
greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
1. Mow
across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise
extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can
cause you to slip or trip. Ta
ll grass can hide obstacles.
WARNING:
Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
WARNING
This symbol points
out important safety
instructions which, if
not followed, could
endanger the personal
safety and/or property
of yourself and others.
Read and follow all
instructions in this
manual before at-
tempting to operate
this machine. Failure
to comply with these
instructions may result
in personal injury. When
you see this symbol.
HEED ITS WARNING!
Your Responsibility
Restrict the use
of this power machine
to persons who read,
understand
and follow the warnings
and instructions
in this manual
and on the machine.
DANGER:
This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with
any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This
machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
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